Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Only 4 of the 123 Arkansas State towns we compare have a lower going rate for rent than Arkansas City. Its National Register listings include Thane House and Desha County Courthouse. Arkansas City has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where Arkansas City beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 503 in 1880, a peak of 1,485 in 1910, 376 in 2020. The archive holds 9 old photos and papers going back to 1910 and 2 maps from 1939 on.
8 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Arkansas City, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Arkansas City.
Arkansas City’s natural-hazard score from FEMA comes in at 79 of 100. Federal disaster aid has reached households in Arkansas City after 2 declared disasters, most recently in 2025. Of the losses FEMA expects in the town, 39% come from inland flooding and 22% from earthquakes. Since 1997, one flood insurance claim has been paid here.
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
The top destinations are McGehee (16%), Dumas (13%) and Pine Bluff (4%). Arkansas City’s median household income stands at $42,000. Among residents in the town, 17% live below the poverty line, where Arkansas State’s towns sit at 18% and U.S. towns at 9.6%. Half the trips to work are shorter than 25 miles.
| Arkansas City | Arkansas State towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,000 | $55,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 17% | 18% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 24 minutes | 21 minutes | 25 minutes |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
July afternoons reach 92°, January nights drop to 34° and snow is almost unheard of.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
18% of adults have diabetes in Arkansas City. On the CDC’s 32 measures, Arkansas City is ahead of Arkansas State on 1 and behind on 17. Among adults in the town, 41% get no exercise outside work, above both Arkansas State’s towns (34%) and U.S. towns (25%).
| Arkansas City | Arkansas State towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 13% | 12% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 50% | 41% | 35% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 34% | 25% |
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 25% | 19% |
| What stands out | Arkansas City | AR |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 80.5% | 76.9% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 30.2% | 18.6% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Walkers can cover 0.4 miles of trail in 2 parks and preserves. In Arkansas City, the trail density is 0.8 miles per square mile.
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. J B Payne Memorial Park | — | 4 |
| 2. Delta Heritage Trail State Park Trailhead | 0.1 mi | 3 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
None within 15 miles of Arkansas City; the nearest are
About 8 of every 100 Arkansas City residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across Arkansas State.
Where Arkansas City’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
8 places in Arkansas City on the National Register of Historic Places.
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Arkansas City has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
2 notable people were born here, including Maxie Parks and Vernon Haynes.
