Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
The best of Gurdon’s subject grades is an A for cost of living; the weakest is a D for incomes. CDC estimates put its residents' health behind 91% of the country. Its National Register listings include Hoo Hoo Monument and Gurdon Jail. Gurdon has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
Where Gurdon beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
2,212 counted in 2010 and 1,840 in 2020; an estimated 1,817 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Arkansas), ordered by how far Gurdon is from typical.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Census counts: 802 in 1890, a peak of 2,707 in 1980, 1,840 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 1919 and 3 maps from 1901 on.
5 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Gurdon, 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 Gurdon.
47% of Gurdon adults have high blood pressure, against 41% in Arkansas’ towns and 35% across U.S. towns. 44% of adults sleep under 7 hours in Gurdon. Gurdon beats the Arkansas average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 8.
| Gurdon | Arkansas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 47% | 41% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 44% | 39% | 36% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 13% | 12% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 45% | 39% | 35% |
| What stands out | Gurdon | AR |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 7.2% | 8.2% |
| More adults facing housing insecurity | 19.7% | 14.4% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Its public schools are run by the Gurdon School District. Its two schools are below.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabe ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–6 | Grades PK–6 | 365 | C |
| Gurdon High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 7–12 | Grades 7–12 | 252 | D |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within AR on state tests and graduation
Most working residents leave Gurdon for work: only 8% work in town. Gurdon’s average trip to work is 18 minutes, where Arkansas’ towns sit at 21 minutes and U.S. towns at 25 minutes. Jobs based in Gurdon fell to 219 in 2023, 115 fewer than in 2013.
| Gurdon | Arkansas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 18 minutes | 21 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 7.7% | 22% | 8% |
| Median household income | $48,000 | $55,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 17% | 18% | 9.6% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Gurdon’s property crime rate is 7.7 per 1,000 residents.
| Gurdon | Arkansas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 7.7 per 1,000 residents | 13.6 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 2.7 per 1,000 residents | 3.6 | 1.6 |
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Gurdon has mild winters and hot summers, with plenty of rain. The July high in Gurdon is 93°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Adults 18 to 34 are 17% of residents (22% statewide). 27% of Gurdon residents are under 18. 17% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 26% across Arkansas.
| Gurdon | Arkansas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 27% | 25% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 17% | 20% | 29% |
| Median age | 37.6 years | 36.6 years | 40.5 years |
54% women, 46% men
About 84 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±3.7 points). Across Arkansas, 50.6% of residents are women.
| Gurdon | AR | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 17% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.9% | 10.8% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 4.9% | 9.4% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 11.9% | 13% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 14.8% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 4.3% | 11.8% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 19.9% | 12.5% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 11.1% | 10.3% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 6.2% | 7.2% | 7% |
| No diploma | 16.6% | 11.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 33.2% | 34.1% | 26% |
| Some college | 25% | 20.7% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.3% | 8.2% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 13.9% | 16.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 3% | 9.5% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 1,800, single groups can be off by several points
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 60% of U.S. communities. Since 1979, 10 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Gurdon.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
1.6 miles of trail in 0 parks and preserves.
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
None within 15 miles of Gurdon; the nearest are
About 1 of every 100 Gurdon residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across Arkansas.
Where Gurdon’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
5 places in Gurdon on the National Register of Historic Places.
3 notable people were born in Gurdon.
City in Arkansas, United States
Gurdon is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,840 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Not for the area. The typical home is worth about $112,000, 50% below the Arkansas typical home. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades A.
3 notable people were born here, including Daniel Davis and Jimmy Witherspoon.
