West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2024 Population

173,008

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

43.6

0.23% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

16.9%

2.5% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$55,555

2.93% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$170,700

4.66% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

68,207

2.76% 1-year growth

About

5.74% of the households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.2% of the residents in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR are Henderson State University (940 degrees awarded in 2023), National Park College (818 degrees), and Arkansas State University Three Rivers (627 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was $170,700, and the homeownership rate was 71%.

Most people in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24 minutes. The average car ownership in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was 2 cars per household.

West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR borders Pope, Johnson & Conway Counties PUMA, AR, West Arkansas PUMA, AR, and Saline, Grant & Perry Counties PUMA, AR.

United States Arkansas

Population & Diversity

West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR is home to a population of 173k people, from which 98.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.14% of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR residents were born outside of the country (5.44k people).

In 2024, there were 8.24 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (136k people) in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 16.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 5.62k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary language in households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR are Spanish (6,938 households), Other Indo-European Languages (619 households), and German (374 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

88,221

Women

50.8%

85,331

Men

49.2%

The resident population of United States in 2023 was 173,552 inhabitants, with 49.2% men, and 50.8% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

Citizenship

98.2%

2024 Citizenship

98.2%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.2% of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was 98.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR

White (Non-Hispanic)
136k ± 408
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
16.5k ± 593
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
5.62k ± 633

6.51%

Hispanic Population

11.3k people

6.51% of the people in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR are hispanic (11.3k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,366 ± 1,186 people
El Salvador
766 ± 678 people
Vietnam
393 ± 486 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was Mexico, the natal country of 2,366 West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR residents, followed by El Salvador with 766 and Vietnam with 393.

Foreign-Born Population

3.14%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

5.44k people

3.12%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

5.4k people

As of 2024, 3.14% of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR residents (5.44k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was 3.12%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
6,938 households (4.22%)
Other Indo-European Languages
619 households (0.377%)
German
374 households (0.228%)

5.74% of the households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is lower than the national average of 22.3%. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

In 2024, the most common non-English language spoken in households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was Spanish. 4.22% of the households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,705 ± 451
Gulf War (2001-)
2,697 ± 424
Gulf War (1990s)
1,755 ± 348

West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.74 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR.

Economy

The economy of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR employs 68.2k people. In 2023, the largest industries in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR were Restaurants & Food Services (5,233 people), Elementary & secondary schools (4,443 people), and Construction (3,590 people), and the highest paying industries were Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments ($131,584), Machinery manufacturing, n.e.c. or not specified ($130,745), and Building material & supplies dealers ($118,204).

Males in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,475. The income inequality in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR (measured using the Gini index) is 0.441, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

33,438

Women

49%

34,769

Men

51%

The workforce of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR in 2023 was 68,207 people, with 49% woman, and 51% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

Occupations

68.2k

2023 Value

2.76%

1 Year growth

± 2.76%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR grew at a rate of 2.76%, from 66.4k employees to 68.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (2,175 people), Cooks (1,938 people), and Registered nurses (1,929 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Arkansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

68.2k

2023 Value

2.76%

1 Year growth

± 2.76%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR grew at a rate of 2.76%, from 66.4k employees to 68.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR, are Restaurants & Food Services (5,233 people), Elementary & secondary schools (4,443 people), and Construction (3,590 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR, though some of these residents may live in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,626

Median earning men ± $2,194

$32,342

Median earning women ± $1,300

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($61,840), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($59,636), and Wholesale Trade ($55,799).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($49,115), Information ($48,971), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,685).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

Y-Axis

2.24%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.35M people employed in Arkansas. This represents a 2.24% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 8.69%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Arkansas.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Arkansas went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.6%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.12%).

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing the state of Arkansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR. Showing the available data for Arkansas.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.2%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (33.6%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (1.12%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Arkansas went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.6%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.12%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Arkansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Arkansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

John Boozman

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tom Cotton

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing Arkansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Arkansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR awarded 2,910 degrees. The student population of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 3,745 male students and 4,773 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR are White (2,089 and 72.5%), Black or African American (425 and 14.7%), Hispanic or Latino (159 and 5.52%), and Two or More Races (64 and 2.22%).

The largest universities in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR by number of degrees awarded are Henderson State University (940 and 32.3%), National Park College (818 and 28.1%), and Arkansas State University Three Rivers (627 and 21.5%).

The most popular majors in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR are Liberal Arts & Sciences (192 and 6.6%), Registered Nursing (152 and 5.22%), and Medical Receptionist (150 and 5.15%).

The median tuition costs in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR are $21,246 for private four year colleges, and $5,928 and $8,136 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR, the percentage of applicants admitted was 74.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 26.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 8,518 (44% men and 56% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 8,518 students enrolled in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR, 44% men and 56% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,207 records, of which 56.8% were women and 43.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Elementary Education & Teaching
50 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
65 degrees awarded
General Psychology
52 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was Elementary Education & Teaching with 50 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Henderson State University
940 degrees awarded
National Park College
818 degrees awarded
Arkansas State University Three Rivers
627 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Henderson State University with 940 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,097 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR, which is 0.605 times less than the 1,813 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,089 degrees mean that there were 4.92 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 425 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($21,246) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,701) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,598) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Measure

In 2023, 0.898% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.56% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR in 2023 were High School or Equivalent (47.3k), Some college (36.1k), and Bachelors Degree (19.3k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was $170,700 in 2024, which is 0.513 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $163,100 to $170,700, a 4.66% increase. The homeownership rate in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR is 71%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR have an average commute time of 24 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$170,700

Median Property Value 2024

±$3,672

$51,042

Median Property Taxes

±$1,640

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

71%

Homeownership

2024

65.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 71% of the housing units in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 70.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$55,555

Median Household Income

± $1,798

71.9k

Number of Households

± 2,096

In 2024, the median household income of the 71.9k households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR grew to $55,555 from the previous year's value of $53,973.

The following chart displays the households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR

0.449

2022 Wage GINI in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR

In 2023, the income inequality in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.75% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (78.9%)
Carpooled (11.2%)
Worked At Home (6.52%)

In 2024, 78.9% of workers in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.2%) and those who worked at home (6.52%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR have a shorter commute time (24 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.73% of the workforce in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR (28.2k out of 167k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

90.6% of the population of West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR has health coverage, with 33.6% on employee plans, 23.6% on Medicaid, 17.3% on Medicare, 14% on non-group plans, and 2.2% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Arkansas see 1,478 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,478 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2044 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 368 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

1,478 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Arkansas

Primary care physicians in Arkansas see an average of 1,478 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,478 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Arkansas in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.8% under 18 years, 18.7% between 18 and 34 years, 36.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 22.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.36%

Uninsured

33.6%

Employer Coverage

23.6%

Medicaid

17.3%

Medicare

14%

Non-Group

2.2%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR grew by 0.552% from 9.31% to 9.36%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in West Central Arkansas PUMA, AR changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.