Palestine, AR

Arkansas

Palestine is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 665. Residents earn $34,896 per year, which is 54% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
665 Population 195/sq mi density
$34,896 Median Income $19,493 per capita
$57,600 Home Value $129,211 Zillow
$663 Median Rent 32.0% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature 301 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$34,896 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$57,600 home value, $663/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $34,896
54% lower than US avg
Home Value $57,600
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.9%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $663
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 28.9%
133% higher than US avg

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

People

Population665
Median Age38.7 yrs
Density195/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans2.8%

Economy

C
Median Income$34,896
Per Capita$19,493
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty28.9%
County GDP$245M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$57,600
Rent$663
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$129,211
Housing Units300
Rent Burden32.0%

Health

Obesity40.7%
Uninsured11.0%
Smoking18.7%
Depression26.0%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F (17°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain52.1 in/yr
Sunny Days301/yr
Elevation214 ft (65 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.9%
High School+85.9%
Graduate+1.1%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute16 min
Broadband84.5%
Libraries1

Is Palestine a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palestine receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Palestine offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palestine is $34,896, 54% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 28.9% 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 Palestine is $57,600, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $663 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Palestine enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. With 301 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 52.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Palestine has a population of 665 with a density of 195 people per square mile. The median age is 38.7 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.8%), with 2% Hispanic, 7.8% Black.

Population

665
Total Population
195
People / sq mi
38.7yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46%
Female 54%

Race & Ethnicity

Palestine vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palestine vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palestine is $34,896, which is 54% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 28.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Palestine vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$34,896
54% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,493
Avg Weekly Wage$846
IRS Avg AGI$49,070

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate28.9%
133% above US avg
Establishments (County)212
County GDP$245M

Business (County)

Restaurants7
Healthcare13
Retail19
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,200
66% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.9 min
Drive Alone92.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Palestine is $57,600, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $663 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $129,211.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$57,600
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$129,211

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$663
43% below US avg
Rent Burden32.0%

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%
Housing Units300
Median Year Built1983

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,200
66% below US avg
Effective Rate2.08%
In Palestine, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.0% of residents lack health insurance. 18.7% are current smokers. 26.0% report depression. 33.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.7%
27% above US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure38.1%
Asthma10.7%
COPD8.1%
Cancer6.9%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.7%
34% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity33.5%
Depression26.0%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.4%
Short Sleep42.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Uninsured11.0%
28% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.7%
Dental Visits49.0%
Premature Death18,152/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.8/10
Exercise Access52.3%
Healthcare Facilities13
Palestine has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.1 inches. The area enjoys 301 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.1°F
15% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.1 inches
37% above US avg
Snowfall1.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation214 ft (65 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²)
Population Density195/sq mi
Coordinates34.9703°N, 90.9082°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS05077
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 3.5-point margin. 84.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 46.9%
D 50.4%

Winner: Democrat by 3.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.9%
68% below US avg
High School+85.9%
Graduate Degree+1.1%
School Test Score4.91
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density195/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.5%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants7
Retail Stores19

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.9 min
Drive Alone92.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Nearby Cities

Forrest City, AR 12,826 pop · 7.2 mi Marianna, AR 3,502 pop · 15.8 mi Brinkley, AR 2,651 pop · 16.9 mi Wynne, AR 8,220 pop · 19.5 mi McCrory, AR 2,062 pop · 25.7 mi Marvell, AR 1,008 pop · 28.6 mi Clarendon, AR 1,565 pop · 29.6 mi Earle, AR 1,421 pop · 32.7 mi Augusta, AR 1,881 pop · 33.6 mi Des Arc, AR 1,447 pop · 33.9 mi Helena-West Helena, AR 9,218 pop · 34.5 mi Tunica Resorts, MS 1,977 pop · 34.8 mi Hazen, AR 1,960 pop · 39.1 mi West Memphis, AR 24,147 pop · 42.0 mi
Compare Palestine with another city: