At a Glance
Home Value
$211,500
Zillow: $208,542
Median Rent
$633/mo
42.5% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
16.2%
83.8% high school+
Unemployment
22.7%
30.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.7%
16.5% smoking rate
How Chester Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Chester's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Chester a Good Place to Live?
C
2.3 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Chester is $211,500 , 25% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $208,542. Median rent is $633/month, with 42.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 86.9 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1974.
Education
16.2% of adults in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(52% below the national average).
83.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Chester has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C).
Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.4 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population105
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density206/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Foreign Born0.0%
Veterans5.3%
Economy
Median Income
Per Capita$17,701
Unemployment22.7%
Poverty30.0%
County GDP$2,328M
Avg Weekly Wage$938
Housing
Home Value$211,500
Rent$633
Ownership58.5%
Zillow$208,542
Housing Units52
Rent Burden42.5%
Health
Obesity37.7%
Diabetes9.8%
Smoking16.5%
Heart Disease6.6%
Premature Death11,457/100K
Climate
Avg Temp59°F
Rain53.4 in/yr
Elevation886 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+83.8%
Graduate+9.3%
School Score4.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 78% / D 20%
Commute36 min
Broadband80.5%
Internet Speed120 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries6
Did You Know?
Chester was founded in 1889.
The median home in Chester was built in 1974.
17.6% work from home.
The nearest airport is Fort Smith Regional (29 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.445 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
34.3% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 120 Mbps.
There are 101 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 8 fatal vehicle crashes.