Walnut Ridge, AR

Arkansas

Walnut Ridge is a small city in Arkansas with a population of 5,440. Residents earn $47,612 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
5,440 Population 326/sq mi density
$47,612 Median Income $26,512 per capita
$104,500 Home Value $136,513 Zillow
$710 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
338 Violent Crime/100K 1,964 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$47,612 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,500 home value, $710/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
338 violent crimes/100K (11% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,612
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,500
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 338/100K
11% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.4%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $710
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.9%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.8%
44% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,440
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density326/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,612
Per Capita$26,512
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty17.8%
County GDP$2,021M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,500
Rent$710
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$136,513

Crime

F
Violent338/100K
Property1,964/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault211/100K
Burglary317/100K

Health

Obesity43.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain51.5 in/yr
Elevation260 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.4%
High School+82.9%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute24 min
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Is Walnut Ridge a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Walnut Ridge is $47,612, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. The poverty rate of 17.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Walnut Ridge is $104,500, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $710 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Walnut Ridge is below the national average at 338 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,964 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Walnut Ridge enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.5 inches, including 6.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Walnut Ridge has a population of 5,440 with a density of 326 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.4%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 1.7% Black.

Population

5,440
Total Population
326
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
16.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Walnut Ridge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Walnut Ridge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Walnut Ridge is $47,612, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Walnut Ridge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,612
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,512
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$58,053

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.8%
44% above US avg
Establishments (County)949
County GDP$2,021M

Business (County)

Restaurants78
Healthcare104
Retail157
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,485
29% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.6 min
Work from Home0.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Walnut Ridge is $104,500, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $710 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $136,513.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,500
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$136,513

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$710
39% 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-Occupied59.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,485
29% below US avg
Effective Rate2.38%
In Walnut Ridge, 43.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.4% report depression. 33.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Walnut Ridge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.9%
37% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure38.8%
Asthma10.9%
COPD9.5%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity33.8%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress21.5%
Physical Distress16.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.2%
Checkup Rate76.4%
Premature Death10,847/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access69.1%
Healthcare Facilities104
Walnut Ridge has a violent crime rate of 338 per 100,000 residents, 11% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,964 per 100,000 (0% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent337.9/100K
11% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape126.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault211.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,964.1/100K
0% below US avg
Burglary316.8/100K
Theft1,562.8/100K
Vehicle Theft84.5/100K
Arson21.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Walnut Ridge has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.5 inches
35% above US avg
Snowfall6.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation260 ft (79 m)
Area16.7 sq mi (43.2 km²)
Population Density326/sq mi
Coordinates36.0848°N, 90.9468°W
County FIPS05055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 61.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.8%
D 18.6%

Winner: Republican by 61.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.4%
36% below US avg
High School+82.9%
School Test Score4.91
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density326/sq mi
Total Area16.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities104
Restaurants78
Retail Stores157

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.6 min
Work from Home0.3%

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