Cotter, AR

Arkansas

Cotter is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 955. Residents earn $33,250 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
955 Population 390/sq mi density
$33,250 Median Income $24,414 per capita
$162,000 Home Value $241,969 Zillow
$657 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
422 Violent Crime/100K 1,054 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$33,250 median income, 1.7% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$162,000 home value, $657/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
422 violent crimes/100K (11% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,250
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $162,000
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 422/100K
11% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.1%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $657
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.3%
1% lower than US avg

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

People

Population955
Median Age63.3 yrs
Density390/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$33,250
Per Capita$24,414
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty12.3%
County GDP$774M
Commute16 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$162,000
Rent$657
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$241,969

Crime

F
Violent422/100K
Property1,054/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault422/100K
Burglary211/100K

Health

Obesity39.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.8%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.4 in/yr
Elevation634 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.1%
High School+93.6%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute16 min
Libraries1

Is Cotter a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cotter receives an overall livability score of 2.6 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 below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Cotter has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cotter is $33,250, 56% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. 12.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cotter is $162,000, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $657 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 422 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,054 per 100,000, 46% below the national average.

Education

16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Cotter enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.4 inches, including 8.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Cotter has a population of 955 with a density of 390 people per square mile. The median age is 63.3 years, 63% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.5%), with 3.2% Hispanic.

Population

955
Total Population
390
People / sq mi
63.3yrs
Median Age
63% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.9%
Female 59.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Cotter vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cotter vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cotter is $33,250, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Cotter vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,250
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,414
Avg Weekly Wage$793
IRS Avg AGI$52,740

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.3%
1% below US avg
Establishments (County)310
County GDP$774M

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare25
Retail37
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,275
35% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.7 min
Work from Home2.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Cotter is $162,000, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $657 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $241,969.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$162,000
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$241,969
Median List Price$557,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$557,500
$/Sq Ft$152
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$657
44% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,275
35% below US avg
Effective Rate1.40%
In Cotter, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.8% report depression. 31.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure37.1%
Asthma11.1%
COPD9.1%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity31.3%
Depression29.8%
Mental Distress21.8%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate76.6%
Premature Death11,365/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access30.8%
Healthcare Facilities25
Cotter has a violent crime rate of 422 per 100,000 residents, 11% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,054 per 100,000 (46% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent421.5/100K
11% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault421.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,053.7/100K
46% below US avg
Burglary210.8/100K
Theft843.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson105.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cotter has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.4 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall8.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation634 ft (193 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.3 km²)
Population Density390/sq mi
Coordinates36.2819°N, 92.5208°W
County FIPS05089
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.4%
D 19.1%

Winner: Republican by 60.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.1%
52% below US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score4.91
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density390/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants30
Retail Stores37

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.7 min
Work from Home2.5%

Nearby Cities

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