Population 11,929 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Alma
Household size in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.74 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.78 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.54 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.75 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.02 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Alma holds 2.75 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the north. Alma has larger households than at least four in five Arkansas cities.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.0 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.5 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.7 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.4 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 35.6, Alma is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 37.0, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.2% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.8% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in five households in Alma (19.1%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 6.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only seven of the 101 Arkansas cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Alma
Renters in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.4% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.9% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.7% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly three in ten households in Alma rent their homes (28.7%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 43.4% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the south; owners are most common in the north. The renter share is up 3.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.3% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in Alma: 12.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is up 6.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Alma has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the south.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $560 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $647 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $622 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $944 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$384 | +$346 | +$606 |
The median renter in Alma pays $944 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $384 a month from 2006–10, a 69% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 28.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the west and lowest in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Alma
Bachelor's degrees in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.7% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.3% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.7% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Alma: 21.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 8.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.2% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.7% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.9% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.3% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.1 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Alma have finished high school as nationally: 90.3%, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in Arkansas overall (88.7%). The share with a diploma has risen 7.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Alma
| Period | Alma | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.6% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.0%, unemployment in Alma is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Alma compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma | 2.75 | 35.6 | 19.1% | 28.7% | 12.3% | 1992 | $944 | 21.7% | 90.3% | 5.0% |
| Dyer | 2.89 | 38.2 | 4.5% | 17.8% | 7.6% | 1998 | $621 | 24.4% | 86.3% | 4.1% |
| Kibler | 2.88 | 35.0 | 7.6% | 11.4% | 7.7% | 1997 | $794 | 16.7% | 92.5% | 1.3% |
| Rudy | 2.39 | 49.8 | 4.8% | 7.1% | 7.3% | 1988 | $818 | 18.7% | 84.7% | 1.2% |
| Van Buren | 2.52 | 39.3 | 12.6% | 29.3% | 7.8% | 1988 | $861 | 20.2% | 87.2% | 4.6% |
| Riverdale | 2.34 | 49.5 | 7.2% | 24.6% | 7.2% | 1992 | $736 | 17.5% | 95.3% | 3.0% |
| Mulberry | 2.83 | 40.3 | 13.2% | 17.0% | 12.9% | 1984 | $829 | 12.3% | 82.3% | 1.8% |
| Cedarville | 2.64 | 46.7 | 11.0% | 5.9% | 8.4% | 1991 | $969 | 15.0% | 82.6% | 1.5% |
| Dora | 2.87 | 34.7 | 13.6% | 20.9% | 10.0% | 1998 | $956 | 19.3% | 92.8% | 0.0% |
| Lavaca | 2.67 | 38.7 | 3.1% | 18.5% | 9.3% | 1990 | $865 | 18.9% | 90.5% | 2.9% |
| Central City | 2.54 | 43.9 | 6.0% | 22.6% | 7.8% | 1992 | $780 | 18.7% | 93.2% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Holly Hill, FL · Colchester, CT · Palos Verdes Estates, CA · Paris, KY · Clinton, CT · Paw Paw, MI · Hopkins, SC · Chipley, FL · Polk City, FL · Poquoson, VA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Alma. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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