El Dorado, AR

Arkansas

El Dorado is a small city in Arkansas with a population of 17,382. Residents earn $45,159 per year, which is 40% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
17,382 Population 1,073/sq mi density
$45,159 Median Income $25,624 per capita
$113,100 Home Value $133,373 Zillow
$845 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
959 Violent Crime/100K 4,734 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$45,159 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$113,100 home value, $845/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
959 violent crimes/100K (152% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,159
40% lower than US avg
Home Value $113,100
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 959/100K
152% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.0%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $845
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.0%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.2%
63% higher than US avg

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

People

Population17,382
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density1,073/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 45%

Economy

B
Median Income$45,159
Per Capita$25,624
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty20.2%
County GDP$3,375M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$113,100
Rent$845
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$133,373

Crime

F
Violent959/100K
Property4,734/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault791/100K
Burglary1,825/100K

Health

Obesity42.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain52.1 in/yr
Elevation224 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.0%
High School+86.8%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute16 min
EV Stations4
Libraries6

Is El Dorado a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in El Dorado is $45,159, 40% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in El Dorado is $113,100, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $845 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 959 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,734 per 100,000, 142% above the national average.

Education

17.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

El Dorado enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

El Dorado has a population of 17,382 with a density of 1,073 people per square mile. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (48.4%), with 45% White.

Population

17,382
Total Population
1,073
People / sq mi
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
16.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

El Dorado vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.9%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.1%
62% below US avg

Social Characteristics

El Dorado vs U.S. Average

The median household income in El Dorado is $45,159, which is 40% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: El Dorado vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,159
40% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,624
Avg Weekly Wage$1,186
IRS Avg AGI$68,803

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.2%
63% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,165
County GDP$3,375M

Business (County)

Restaurants76
Healthcare119
Retail177
Manufacturing42

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,340
5% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.6 min
Work from Home9.4%

Walkability

The median home value in El Dorado is $113,100, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $845 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $133,373.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$113,100
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$133,373
Median List Price$155,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$155,000
$/Sq Ft$97
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio95.6%
Price Drops24.0%
Inventory50

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$845
27% 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-Occupied58.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,340
5% below US avg
Effective Rate2.95%
In El Dorado, 42.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 37.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: El Dorado vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.0%
31% above US avg
Diabetes14.9%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure43.9%
Asthma11.6%
COPD8.5%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.0%
Physical Inactivity37.8%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress16.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.2%
Checkup Rate79.6%
Premature Death15,152/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access50.4%
Healthcare Facilities119
El Dorado has a violent crime rate of 959 per 100,000 residents, 152% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,734 per 100,000 (142% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent958.8/100K
152% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape32.5/100K
Robbery135.4/100K
Assault790.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,734.3/100K
142% above US avg
Burglary1,825.5/100K
Theft2,616.3/100K
Vehicle Theft292.5/100K
Arson21.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
El Dorado has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.1 inches
37% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation224 ft (68 m)
Area16.2 sq mi (42.0 km²)
Population Density1,073/sq mi
Coordinates33.2190°N, 92.6641°W
County FIPS05139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 17.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 32.5%

Winner: Republican by 33.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.0%
50% below US avg
High School+86.8%
School Test Score4.91
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,073/sq mi
Total Area16.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities119
Restaurants76
Retail Stores177

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.6 min
Work from Home9.4%

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