Shirley, AR

Arkansas

Shirley is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 307. Residents earn $35,938 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
307 Population 127/sq mi density
$35,938 Median Income $22,295 per capita
$92,000 Home Value $184,831 Zillow
$625 Median Rent 23.8% income on rent
60°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$35,938 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,000 home value, $625/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,938
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,000
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.2%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.3%
144% higher than US avg

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

People

Population307
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density127/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,938
Per Capita$22,295
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty30.3%
County GDP$484M
Commute41 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,000
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$184,831
Rent Burden23.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain51.9 in/yr
Elevation550 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+93.1%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute41 min
Libraries3

Is Shirley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shirley receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Shirley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shirley is $35,938, 52% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. The poverty rate of 30.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shirley is $92,000, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Shirley 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 51.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Shirley has a population of 307 with a density of 127 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.7%).

Population

307
Total Population
127
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Shirley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.2%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.8%
27% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shirley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shirley is $35,938, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 30.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes.

Income: Shirley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,938
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,295
Avg Weekly Wage$844
IRS Avg AGI$54,577

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate30.3%
144% above US avg
Establishments (County)350
County GDP$484M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare33
Retail56
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,190
37% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time41.3 min
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Shirley is $92,000, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $184,831.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,000
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$184,831

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden23.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,190
37% below US avg
Effective Rate2.38%
In Shirley, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.3% report depression. 30.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure36.2%
Asthma10.8%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.6%
Physical Inactivity30.0%
Depression27.3%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.6%
Checkup Rate76.0%
Premature Death11,385/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.1/10
Exercise Access42.3%
Healthcare Facilities33

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Shirley 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 51.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average59.7°F
11% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.9 inches
37% above US avg
Snowfall4.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation550 ft (168 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²)
Population Density127/sq mi
Coordinates35.6438°N, 92.3135°W
County FIPS05141
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 16.2% 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%
D 18.9%

Winner: Republican by 60.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.2%
52% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score4.91
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density127/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants21
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute41.3 min
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

Compare Shirley with another city: