Desha, AR

Arkansas

Desha is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 908. Residents earn $77,768 per year, which is 3% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
908 Population 400/sq mi density
$77,768 Median Income $29,083 per capita
$143,300 Home Value
$702 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$77,768 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$143,300 home value, $702/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $77,768
3% higher than US avg
Home Value $143,300
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.7%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $702
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population908
Median Age51.7 yrs
Density400/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 100%

Economy

A+
Median Income$77,768
Per Capita$29,083
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$2,636M
Commute49 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$143,300
Rent$702
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain50.8 in/yr
Elevation300 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+79.2%
School Score3.96

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute49 min
Libraries1

Is Desha a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Desha receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times, high obesity rates. Desha offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Desha is $77,768, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 49 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Desha is $143,300, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $702 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.2% have completed high school. School test scores average 4/10, below typical benchmarks.

Climate & Weather

Desha enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Desha has a population of 908 with a density of 400 people per square mile. The median age is 51.7 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

908
Total Population
400
People / sq mi
51.7yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.3%
Female 47.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Desha vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.4%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.6%
21% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Desha vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Desha is $77,768, which is 3% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 49 minutes.

Income: Desha vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$77,768
3% above US avg
Per Capita Income$29,083
Avg Weekly Wage$935
IRS Avg AGI$60,486

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)958
County GDP$2,636M

Business (County)

Restaurants74
Healthcare107
Retail152
Manufacturing41

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,581
26% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time48.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Desha is $143,300, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $702 (40% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$143,300
49% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$702
40% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$630
1 Bedroom$671
2 Bedrooms$880
3 Bedrooms$1,208
4 Bedrooms$1,476

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,581
26% below US avg
Effective Rate1.80%
In Desha, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.0% report depression. 31.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure34.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.4%
Physical Inactivity31.0%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.3%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death11,068/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access48.4%
Healthcare Facilities107

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Desha has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average59.6°F
10% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.8 inches
34% above US avg
Snowfall2.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation300 ft (91 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density400/sq mi
Coordinates35.7305°N, 91.6856°W
County FIPS05063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.7%
D 19.2%

Winner: Republican by 59.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.7%
65% below US avg
High School+79.2%
School Test Score3.96
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density400/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities107
Restaurants74
Retail Stores152

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute48.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Desha with another city: