Population 10,786 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Desha County
Household size in Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.52 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.45 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Desha County are small: just 2.37 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.52, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.1 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.3 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.5 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.0 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Desha County are younger than 41.0 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 38.1 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.7% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in five households in Desha County (19.3%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Few Arkansas counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only two 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 Desha County
Renters in Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.9% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.7% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.5% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 43.2% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is more common in Desha County than nationally: 43.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among homeowners, 63.7% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Few Arkansas counties have a higher share of renters: only three of 75.
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 Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.6% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.8% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 19.8% of the housing in Desha County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 3.8 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 Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +6 |
The typical home in Desha County was built around 1979, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in Arkansas as a whole, where the median home dates to 1988. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $542 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $569 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $525 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $741 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$199 | +$346 | +$606 |
Rent in Desha County runs $741 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $199 a month from 2006–10, a 37% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.9% of the typical renter's income, just under 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 Desha County
Bachelor's degrees in Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.1% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.4% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Desha County: 12.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has fallen 3.2 points, even as the national share rose. Of Arkansas' 75 counties, only six have a lower 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 Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.0% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.4% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 79.8% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 79.4% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in five adults in Desha County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 79.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.4 points, mirroring the country. Only two of Arkansas' 75 counties have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 Desha County
| Period | Desha County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.0% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Desha County runs well above the national rate: 8.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.6 points, 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).
Desha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desha County | 2.37 | 41.0 | 19.3% | 43.2% | 19.8% | 1979 | $741 | 12.4% | 79.4% | 8.0% |
| Drew County | 2.32 | 37.3 | 15.1% | 36.3% | 11.7% | 1985 | $774 | 25.6% | 88.9% | 7.9% |
| Bolivar County | 2.35 | 38.5 | 22.1% | 37.4% | 12.2% | 1978 | $801 | 29.3% | 84.7% | 7.7% |
| Dallas County | 2.34 | 46.8 | 14.7% | 27.4% | 26.9% | 1979 | $635 | 12.0% | 85.7% | 9.2% |
| Grenada County | 2.59 | 39.6 | 20.3% | 33.4% | 17.9% | 1982 | $837 | 21.6% | 84.0% | 6.6% |
| Nevada County | 2.48 | 41.5 | 14.2% | 24.0% | 24.3% | 1983 | $861 | 14.7% | 90.2% | 4.3% |
| Hempstead County | 2.63 | 41.2 | 12.6% | 28.3% | 21.4% | 1980 | $772 | 17.3% | 81.7% | 5.8% |
| Clay County | 2.36 | 41.9 | 17.6% | 28.7% | 14.1% | 1984 | $932 | 17.2% | 83.9% | 7.1% |
| Little River County | 2.47 | 42.6 | 13.1% | 19.9% | 18.8% | 1981 | $800 | 17.6% | 91.6% | 7.4% |
| Lamar County | 2.78 | 45.4 | 10.6% | 24.3% | 29.3% | 1979 | $620 | 12.1% | 84.0% | 5.0% |
| Fayette County | 2.57 | 43.9 | 10.1% | 21.6% | 19.7% | 1982 | $709 | 14.2% | 85.3% | 8.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Park County, CO · Kittson County, MN · Knott County, KY · Knox County, MO · Kodiak Island Borough, AK · Koochiching County, MN · Adair County, IA · Labette County, KS · Lafayette County, WI · Lamar County, AL
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 Desha 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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