Chidester, AR

Arkansas

Chidester is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 347. Residents earn $21,641 per year, which is 71% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
347 Population 65/sq mi density
$21,641 Median Income $15,429 per capita
$73,400 Home Value
$389 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$21,641 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$73,400 home value, $389/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $21,641
71% lower than US avg
Home Value $73,400
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.3%
81% lower than US avg
Median Rent $389
67% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.3%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 33.8%
173% higher than US avg

How Chidester Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population347
Median Age52.0 yrs
Density65/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 28%

Economy

C
Median Income$21,641
Per Capita$15,429
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty33.8%
County GDP$318M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$73,400
Rent$389
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain56.6 in/yr
Elevation265 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.3%
High School+79.2%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute30 min
Libraries2

Is Chidester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chidester receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Chidester has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chidester is $21,641, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 33.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chidester is $73,400, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $389 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

6.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Chidester enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Chidester has a population of 347 with a density of 65 people per square mile. The median age is 52.0 years, 34% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (70%), with 28% White, 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

347
Total Population
65
People / sq mi
52.0yrs
Median Age
34% above US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.2%
Female 41.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Chidester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.5%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.5%
74% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chidester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chidester is $21,641, which is 71% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 33.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Chidester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$21,641
71% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,429
Avg Weekly Wage$937
IRS Avg AGI$45,124

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate33.8%
173% above US avg
Establishments (County)188
County GDP$318M

Business (County)

Restaurants9
Healthcare13
Retail22
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,900
46% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.9 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Chidester is $73,400, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $389 (67% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$73,400
74% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$389
67% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$700
1 Bedroom$751
2 Bedrooms$944
3 Bedrooms$1,239
4 Bedrooms$1,406

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,900
46% below US avg
Effective Rate2.59%
In Chidester, 42.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 31.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Chidester vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.3%
32% above US avg
Diabetes13.6%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure42.5%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.9%
Physical Inactivity31.4%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death13,042/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment3.9/10
Exercise Access47.9%
Healthcare Facilities13

Crime Rates: Chidester vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Chidester has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.9°F
15% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.6 inches
49% above US avg
Snowfall2.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation265 ft (81 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.8 km²)
Population Density65/sq mi
Coordinates33.7019°N, 93.0238°W
County FIPS05099
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 6.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (81% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.9%
D 29.2%

Winner: Republican by 39.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.3%
81% below US avg
High School+79.2%
School Test Score4.91
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density65/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants9
Retail Stores22

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.9 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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