Highest Poverty in Arkansas

Top 70 cities ranked by highest poverty

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · United States · Arkansas

Highest Poverty — Arkansas

1 Helena-West Helena 32.6%

2 Forrest City 31.5%

3 Newport 29.9%

4 Warren 27.8%

5 Osceola 27.7%

6 Morrilton 24.3%

7 Wynne 22.5%

8 Batesville 22.4%

9 West Memphis 22.0%

10 Pine Bluff 22.0%

11 Magnolia 21.9%

12 Monticello 21.1%

13 Berryville 20.7%

14 El Dorado 20.2%

15 Pocahontas 19.4%

16 Clarksville 19.0%

17 Alma 18.4%

18 Walnut Ridge 17.8%

19 Trumann 17.3%

20 North Little Rock 17.2%

21 Searcy 17.0%

22 Arkadelphia 16.8%

23 Texarkana 16.7%

24 Mena 16.7%

25 Malvern 16.7%

26 Cherokee Village 16.4%

27 Jonesboro 16.1%

28 Hope 15.6%

29 Russellville 15.2%

30 Ward 14.3%

31 Heber Springs 13.9%

32 Jacksonville 13.7%

33 Hot Springs 13.7%

34 Blytheville 13.3%

35 Fort Smith 13.2%

36 Sheridan 12.9%

37 Little Rock 12.7%

38 Paragould 12.6%

39 Camden 12.5%

40 Mountain Home 12.3%

41 Conway 11.8%

42 Fayetteville 10.7%

43 Van Buren 10.6%

44 Siloam Springs 9.7%

45 Stuttgart 9.6%

46 Harrison 9.5%

47 Springdale 9.5%

48 Prairie Grove 9.4%

49 White Hall 8.7%

50 De Queen 8.5%

51 Rogers 8.4%

52 Greenwood 7.8%

53 Cabot 7.7%

54 Sherwood 7.5%

55 East End 6.3%

56 Beebe 6.2%

57 Benton 6.2%

58 Marion 6.1%

59 Maumelle 6.0%

60 Lowell 5.9%

61 Bentonville 5.4%

62 Hot Springs Village 4.7%

63 Bryant 4.7%

64 Tontitown 4.4%

65 Centerton 2.9%

66 Greenbrier 2.5%

67 Cave Springs 1.9%

68 Bella Vista 1.9%

69 Pea Ridge 1.7%

70 Farmington 1.7%

Cities with the highest poverty rates in Arkansas face deep economic challenges affecting a significant portion of their population. Helena-West Helena has a poverty rate of 32.6%.

High poverty rates impact communities in multiple ways: reduced access to healthcare and healthy food, lower educational outcomes, higher crime rates, and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges are interconnected and require comprehensive solutions.

Addressing poverty in these cities requires a multi-pronged approach including economic development, affordable housing, quality education, healthcare access, and workforce training programs targeting underserved populations.

Did You Know?

1. In Helena-West Helena, 32.6% of residents — roughly 1 in 3 people — live below the poverty line.
2. Child poverty rates in these cities are often even higher than the overall rate, sometimes exceeding 40%.
3. Poverty is measured by household income relative to family size — the threshold varies from $15,060 for an individual to $31,200 for a family of four.

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