Desha County, AR

County

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2019 Population

11,709

1.5% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

40.1

2.56% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

29.1%

0.262% 1-year increase

2019 Median Household Income

$31,893

5.49% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$70,300

11.9% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

4,563

3.1% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Desha County, AR had a population of 11.7k people with a median age of 40.1 and a median household income of $31,893. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Desha County, AR declined from 11,887 to 11,709, a −1.5% decrease and its median household income grew from $30,234 to $31,893, a 5.49% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Desha County, AR are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (46.6%), White (Non-Hispanic) (45.2%), White (Hispanic) (3.54%), Other (Hispanic) (2.04%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.38%). 0% of the households in Desha County, AR speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

97.2% of the residents in Desha County, AR are U.S. citizens.

In 2019, the median property value in Desha County, AR was $70,300, and the homeownership rate was 61.5%. Most people in Desha County, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Desha County, AR was 2 cars per household.

Desha County, AR borders Arkansas County, AR, Chicot County, AR, Drew County, AR, Lincoln County, AR, Phillips County, AR, and Bolivar County, MS.

United States Arkansas

Diversity

Desha County, AR is home to a population of 11.7k people, from which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2019, 3.6% of Desha County, AR residents were born outside of the country (421 people).

In 2019, there were 1.03 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (5.46k people) in Desha County, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.3k White (Non-Hispanic) and 414 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Desha County, AR

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.46k ± 129
White (Non-Hispanic)
5.3k ± 19
White (Hispanic)
414 ± 229

6.13%

Hispanic Population

718 people

6.13% of the people in Desha County, AR are hispanic (718 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Desha County, AR as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

3.6%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

421 people

3.94%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

468 people

As of 2019, 3.6% of Desha County, AR residents (421 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Desha County, AR was 3.94%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 1.7

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 9

In 2019, the median age of all people in Desha County, AR was 40.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 41, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 34. But people in Desha County, AR are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Desha County, AR residents was 39.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
60,028 ± 5,955 people
El Salvador
14,906 ± 2,990 people
India
8,724 ± 2,290 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 60,028 Arkansas residents, followed by El Salvador with 14,906 and India with 8,724.

Citizenship

97.2%

2019 Citizenship

96.8%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 97.2% of Desha County, AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Desha County, AR was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Desha County, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
192 ± 76
Gulf War (1990s)
68 ± 46
Gulf War (2001-)
66 ± 50

Desha County, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.82 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Arkansas. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Arkansas, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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.

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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Arkansas. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Arkansas across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Desha County, AR is $31,893. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Desha County, AR was Census Tract 9502 with a value of $36,294, followed by Census Tract 9501 and Census Tract 9505, with respective values of $33,561 and $33,315.

Males in Arkansas have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $41,995. The income inequality in Arkansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.451, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Desha County, AR employs 4.56k people. The largest industries in Desha County, AR are Educational Services (655 people), Manufacturing (615 people), and Retail Trade (590 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($63,098), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($60,375), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($43,750).

Wages

Median Household Income

$31,893

2019 value

± $3,470

5.49%

1 Year Growth

± 14.4%

Households in Desha County, AR have a median annual income of $31,893, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $30,234 in 2018, which represents a 5.49% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Desha County, AR compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

$56,854

Average Male Salary in Arkansas

± $1,935

$41,995

Average Female Salary in Arkansas

± $1,371

In 2019, full-time male employees in Arkansas made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Arkansas by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Arkansas

Asian
$56,874 ± $11,128
White
$46,626 ± $1,304
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$42,148 ± $38,775

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Arkansas workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.22 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Arkansas.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Arkansas by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Desha County, AR is from Arkansas.

0.451

2019 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.452

2018 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2019, the income inequality in Arkansas was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.384% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Arkansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Arkansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9502
Census Tract 9501
Census Tract 9505

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Desha County, AR was Census Tract 9502 with a value of $36,294, followed by Census Tract 9501 and Census Tract 9505, with respective values of $33,561 and $33,315.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Desha County, AR colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

29.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Desha County, AR (3.36k out of 11.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 55 - 64.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
2,343 ± 273
White
854 ± 184
Hispanic
400 ± 165

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Desha County, AR is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

4.56k

2019 Value

± 428

3.1%

1 Year growth

± 12.5%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Desha County, AR grew at a rate of 3.1%, from 4.43k employees to 4.56k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Desha County, AR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (538 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (446 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (409 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Desha County, AR.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Desha County, AR, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (538 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (446 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (409 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Desha County, AR has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (11.5 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.62 times), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1.61 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Desha County, AR, by median earnings, are Business & Financial Operations Occupations ($52,917), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($46,176), and Protective Service Occupations ($46,054).

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.56k

2019 Value

± 428

3.1%

1 Year growth

± 12.5%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Desha County, AR grew at a rate of 3.1%, from 4.43k employees to 4.56k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Desha County, AR, are Educational Services (655 people), Manufacturing (615 people), and Retail Trade (590 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Desha County, AR, though some of these residents may live in Desha County, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Desha County, AR, by number of employees, are Educational Services (655 people), Manufacturing (615 people), and Retail Trade (590 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Desha County, AR has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (10 times higher than expected), Public Administration (2.22 times), and Educational Services (1.55 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Desha County, AR, by median earnings, are Information ($63,098), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($60,375), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($43,750).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $14.2B, followed by Meat/seafood ($13.7B) and Coal-n.e.c. ($9.55B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Arkansas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Arkansas.

$144B

2020 Value in Arkansas

$271B

Projected 2050 Value in Arkansas

87.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound Arkansas trade was $144B. This is expected to increase 87.8% to $271B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Arkansas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$11.8B
Mississippi
$6.92B
Oklahoma
$5.91B

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $11.8B, followed by Mississippi with $6.92B and Oklahoma and $5.91B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Arkansas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Desha County, AR went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 48.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (5.02%). The most partisan county was Searcy County, AR with 83.7% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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 Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
Republican Party
Other (5.02%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Desha County, AR went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 48.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (5.02%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Desha County, AR for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Arkansas.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Desha County, AR

48.4% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Arkansas

Searcy County, AR
83.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Scott County, AR
83.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Pike County, AR
82.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Arkansas was Searcy County, AR with 83.7% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Arkansas colored by their party leaning.

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.

US Representatives from Arkansas

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Arkansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Desha County, AR was $70,300 in 2019, which is 0.292 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $62,800 to $70,300, a 11.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Desha County, AR is 61.5%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Desha County, AR have an average commute time of 17.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Desha County, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$70,300

2019 Median

± $9,067

$62,800

2018 Median

± $8,910

In 2019, the median property value in Desha County, AR grew to to $70,300 from the previous year's value of $62,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Desha County, AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Desha County, AR the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

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

$31,893

Median Household Income

± $3,470

5.2k

Number of Households

± 441

In 2019, the median household income of the 5.2k households in Desha County, AR grew to $31,893 from the previous year's value of $30,234.

The following chart displays the households in Desha County, 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 < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Desha County, AR distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Desha County, AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

61.5%

2019 Homeownership

59.4%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 61.5% of the housing units in Desha County, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 59.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Desha County, AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

17.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Desha County, AR have a shorter commute time (17.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.72% of the workforce in Desha County, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (86.2%)
Carpooled (9.25%)
Walked (2.41%)

In 2019, 86.2% of workers in Desha County, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.25%) and those who walked to work (2.41%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Desha County, AR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Desha County, AR have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

93.7% of the population of Desha County, AR has health coverage, with 29.5% on employee plans, 34.4% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 13.4% on non-group plans, and 1.71% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Arkansas was $7,408 in 2014. This is a 6.91% increase from the previous year ($6,929).

Primary care physicians in Desha County, AR see 2302 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.17% decrease from the previous year (2353 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3787 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1623 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jackson County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (28.8%). Additionally, St. Francis County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (48.2%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,302 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Desha County, AR

Primary care physicians in Desha County, AR see an average of 2,302 patients per year. This represents a 2.17% decrease from the previous year (2,353 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,408

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Arkansas

$3,906

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,108

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,479

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Arkansas (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.91%, from $6,929 to $7,408.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

6.33%

Uninsured

29.5%

Employer Coverage

34.4%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

13.4%

Non-Group

1.71%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Desha County, AR declined by 13.2% from 7.29% to 6.33%.

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