Van Buren, AR

Arkansas · Metropolitan Area

Van Buren is a small city in Arkansas with a population of 23,545. Residents earn $59,420 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
23,545 Population 1,521/sq mi density
$59,420 Median Income $27,863 per capita
$178,000 Home Value $204,528 Zillow
$820 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
290 Violent Crime/100K 3,491 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$59,420 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$178,000 home value, $820/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
290 violent crimes/100K (24% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,420
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $178,000
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 290/100K
24% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.8%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $820
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.0%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population23,545
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density1,521/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,420
Per Capita$27,863
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$2,328M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$178,000
Rent$820
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$204,528

Crime

F
Violent290/100K
Property3,491/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault190/100K
Burglary999/100K

Health

Obesity39.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.3 in/yr
Elevation599 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.8%
High School+87.0%
School Score5.33

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 20%
Commute19 min
EV Stations2
Libraries6

Is Van Buren a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Van Buren receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Van Buren offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Van Buren is $59,420, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Van Buren is $178,000, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $820 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Van Buren is below the national average at 290 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,491 per 100,000, 78% above the national average.

Education

19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Van Buren enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Van Buren has a population of 23,545 with a density of 1,521 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.9%), with 5.3% Hispanic, 1.5% Black.

Population

23,545
Total Population
1,521
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
15.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Van Buren vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.0%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.0%
12% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Van Buren vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Van Buren is $59,420, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Van Buren vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,420
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,863
Avg Weekly Wage$938
IRS Avg AGI$59,294

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,281
County GDP$2,328M

Business (County)

Restaurants101
Healthcare121
Retail165
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,191
37% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.7 min
Work from Home3.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Van Buren is $178,000, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $820 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $204,528.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$178,000
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$204,528
Median List Price$269,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$269,000
$/Sq Ft$135
Homes Sold17
Sale-to-List Ratio101.7%
Price Drops26.2%
Inventory61

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$820
29% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$996

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$630
1 Bedroom$671
2 Bedrooms$880
3 Bedrooms$1,186
4 Bedrooms$1,240

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,191
37% below US avg
Effective Rate1.23%
In Van Buren, 39.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.0% report depression. 31.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Van Buren vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.0%
21% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure37.8%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.7%
Physical Inactivity31.4%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress16.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.3%
Checkup Rate76.2%
Premature Death11,457/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.9/10
Exercise Access59.5%
Healthcare Facilities121
Van Buren has a violent crime rate of 290 per 100,000 residents, 24% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,491 per 100,000 (78% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent289.8/100K
24% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape69.2/100K
Robbery30.3/100K
Assault190.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,490.9/100K
78% above US avg
Burglary999.3/100K
Theft2,387.9/100K
Vehicle Theft103.8/100K
Arson4.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Van Buren has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average62.4°F
16% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.3 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall2.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation599 ft (183 m)
Area15.5 sq mi (40.1 km²)
Population Density1,521/sq mi
Coordinates35.4512°N, 94.3540°W
County FIPS05033
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.1%
D 19.9%

Winner: Republican by 58.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.8%
41% below US avg
High School+87.0%
School Test Score5.33
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,521/sq mi
Total Area15.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities121
Restaurants101
Retail Stores165

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.7 min
Work from Home3.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Van Buren with another city: