Chester, AR

Full City Profile · Arkansas · Crawford County County

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
105 Population 206/sq mi density
$211,500 Home Value $208,542 Zillow
$633 Median Rent 42.5% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Chester enjoys a temperate climate with 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. The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.0°F
9% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)

Geography

Elevation886 ft (270 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density206/sq mi
Coordinates35.6778°N, 94.1778°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyCrawford County County
Nearest AirportFort Smith Regional (FSM)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.4"
41% above US avg
Snowfall 3.1"
Wettest Month (May) 6.29"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.05"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score71.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability38.3 / 100
Community Resilience26.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

82 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M2.9 on Aug 14, 2024.

Aug 24, 2021 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.7 125 km
Aug 18, 2019 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.7 123 km
Jun 11, 2017 6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas M3.6 132 km
Nov 15, 1990 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas M3.5 103 km
May 24, 2013 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas M3.4 139 km
May 22, 2013 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas M3.4 139 km
Aug 22, 2021 3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.4 122 km
Jun 27, 2000 15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas M3.4 127 km
Jul 22, 2021 2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.3 122 km
Feb 7, 2020 2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.2 127 km
Feb 7, 2020 3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.2 127 km
Aug 12, 2019 1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.2 123 km
Jun 3, 2022 10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.2 134 km
Mar 14, 2022 12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma M3.1 139 km
Apr 1, 2020 2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma M3.1 122 km
Apr 16, 2011 9 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas M3.0 142 km
Jul 28, 1990 18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas M2.9 140 km
Jun 16, 2017 6 km N of Bergman, Arkansas M2.9 132 km
Sep 21, 2019 2 km NNE of Quinton, Oklahoma M2.9 123 km
Feb 3, 2021 1 km SW of Quinton, Oklahoma M2.9 126 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

525 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 53 fatalities, 941 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Mar 26, 1976 EF5 71 km 2
May 24, 2011 EF4 49 km 4
Apr 19, 1968 EF4 54 km 14
May 5, 1960 EF4 47 km 5
Jan 22, 1957 EF4 55 km 10
May 25, 2024 EF3 80 km 0
Mar 30, 2022 EF3 49 km 0
May 24, 2011 EF3 65 km 1
Dec 31, 2010 EF3 50 km 4
Mar 12, 2006 EF3 75 km 0
Mar 12, 2006 EF3 95 km 0
May 4, 1999 EF3 36 km 0
Apr 21, 1996 EF3 38 km 2
Apr 21, 1996 EF3 41 km 2
Nov 22, 1983 EF3 55 km 0
Dec 2, 1982 EF3 23 km 0
Apr 19, 1981 EF3 87 km 0
Apr 7, 1980 EF3 70 km 0
Apr 7, 1980 EF3 66 km 0
Mar 26, 1976 EF3 98 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 ac, 2007).

Year Name Acres Distance
2007 UNNAMED 18,089 87 km
2000 UNNAMED 15,318 50 km
2007 UNNAMED 14,993 76 km
2007 UNNAMED 14,774 28 km
1998 UNNAMED 13,929 50 km
2016 WEST CAVANAL FIRE 13,100 88 km
2004 UNNAMED 12,086 90 km
2016 UNNAMED 11,929 50 km
2024 RX FOUCHE VALLEY 10,912 97 km
2007 UNNAMED 10,593 96 km
2016 UNNAMED 9,483 95 km
2013 UNNAMED 9,385 82 km
2014 UNNAMED 9,368 75 km
2017 MIDDLE RIDGE 8,501 42 km
2014 UNNAMED 7,945 80 km
2016 UNNAMED 7,919 41 km
2013 UNNAMED 7,804 41 km
2003 UNNAMED 7,415 17 km
2019 UNNAMED 7,344 41 km
2022 RIVER ROAD 6,722 98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 38°F (3°C) 3.3 in Coldest
February 42°F (5°C) 3.1 in Driest
March 50°F (10°C) 4.5 in
April 59°F (15°C) 5.3 in
May 67°F (19°C) 6.3 in Wettest
June 75°F (24°C) 4.5 in
July 80°F (26°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 78°F (26°C) 4.1 in
September 71°F (22°C) 5.1 in
October 60°F (16°C) 4.9 in
November 49°F (9°C) 4.7 in
December 40°F (5°C) 3.7 in

Chester has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 38°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (6.3") and February the driest (3.1").

View full weather details →