Population 113,249 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Craighead County
Household size in Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.53 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.57 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.02 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Craighead County run a little small, averaging 2.57 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. The picture is much the same across Arkansas. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the center.
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 Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.4 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.6 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.7 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 35.7, Craighead County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 34.5 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only two of Arkansas' 75 counties are younger.
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 Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.7% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Craighead County: 16.7% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 2.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Few Arkansas counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only six of 75.
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 Craighead County
Renters in Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.8% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 41.1% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.9% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 39.9% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is a bit more common in Craighead County than nationally: 39.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among owners, 45.0% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the southwest. The renter share has edged up 1.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.8% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Craighead County as nationally: 10.8%, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in Arkansas overall (13.1%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 1.2 points, 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 Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Craighead County 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. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the west has the oldest housing. Few Arkansas counties have newer homes: only five of 75.
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 Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $673 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $799 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $845 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,059 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$386 | +$346 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Craighead County costs $1,059 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in Arkansas overall ($1,007). Rent has climbed $386 a month since 2006–10, up 57%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Craighead County
Bachelor's degrees in Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.9% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.7% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.6% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Craighead County than nationally: 29.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Even so, the share is higher than in Arkansas as a whole (26.2%). The share with a degree has risen 5.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only six of Arkansas' 75 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.3% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.3% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.6% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.1% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Craighead County is close to the national rate: 90.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.8 points, as it has nationally. Craighead County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Arkansas counties.
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 Craighead County
| Period | Craighead County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in Craighead County is the same as the national rate. Unemployment is down 2.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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).
Craighead County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craighead County | 2.57 | 35.7 | 16.7% | 39.9% | 10.8% | 1992 | $1,059 | 29.6% | 90.1% | 5.4% |
| Mississippi County | 2.61 | 37.7 | 16.0% | 40.0% | 18.5% | 1977 | $820 | 14.2% | 86.0% | 6.4% |
| Independence County | 2.60 | 39.9 | 10.1% | 30.8% | 12.8% | 1987 | $816 | 18.3% | 88.5% | 3.7% |
| Lauderdale County | 2.52 | 38.4 | 16.8% | 35.6% | 13.7% | 1981 | $771 | 12.3% | 83.9% | 5.4% |
| Stone County | 2.40 | 47.4 | 12.1% | 24.1% | 24.4% | 1988 | $574 | 16.1% | 88.0% | 3.9% |
| Crockett County | 2.52 | 40.4 | 15.2% | 28.4% | 9.9% | 1980 | $845 | 16.8% | 88.0% | 2.9% |
| Gibson County | 2.52 | 39.8 | 13.4% | 31.2% | 10.7% | 1978 | $954 | 20.7% | 88.8% | 5.9% |
| Searcy County | 2.48 | 48.2 | 8.7% | 20.6% | 31.5% | 1983 | $621 | 15.2% | 83.9% | 4.3% |
| Newton County | 2.21 | 49.9 | 7.7% | 23.5% | 22.7% | 1985 | $583 | 15.6% | 83.1% | 3.7% |
| Hickman County | 2.54 | 42.6 | 13.5% | 20.8% | 11.9% | 1988 | $955 | 13.9% | 86.1% | 2.8% |
| Williamson County | 2.91 | 40.9 | 6.2% | 21.2% | 5.4% | 2001 | $2,202 | 63.1% | 96.3% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Cass County, MO · Eaton County, MI · Terrebonne Parish, LA · Tompkins County, NY · Vigo County, IN · Daviess County, KY · Cowlitz County, WA · Columbiana County, OH · Cecil County, MD · Whitfield County, GA
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 Craighead County. 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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