Fort Smith, AR

Census Place

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2024 Population

89,805

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

36.5

0.273% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

18.3%

0.17% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$54,816

4.03% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$178,100

5.95% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

41,059

0.731% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Fort Smith, 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.

93.1% of the residents in Fort Smith, AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Fort Smith, AR are University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (1,934 degrees awarded in 2023), Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (165 degrees), and Academy of Salon and Spa (49 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Fort Smith, AR was $178,100, and the homeownership rate was 53.4%.

Most people in Fort Smith, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Fort Smith, AR was 2 cars per household.

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Population & Diversity

Fort Smith, AR is home to a population of 89.8k people, from which 93.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 11.8% of Fort Smith, AR residents were born outside of the country (10.6k people).

In 2024, there were 4.48 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (52.2k people) in Fort Smith, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 11.6k Other (Hispanic) and 6.61k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.1%

2024 Citizenship

93%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 93.1% of Fort Smith, AR residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Fort Smith, AR was 93%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Fort Smith, AR

White (Non-Hispanic)
52.2k ± 752
Other (Hispanic)
11.6k ± 1.09k
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
6.61k ± 733

20.5%

Hispanic Population

18.4k people

20.5% of the people in Fort Smith, AR are hispanic (18.4k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Fort Smith, AR as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
66,711 ± 6,271 people
El Salvador
16,390 ± 3,135 people
India
10,242 ± 2,480 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 66,711 Arkansas residents, followed by El Salvador with 16,390 and India with 10,242.

Foreign-Born Population

11.8%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

10.6k people

11.5%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

10.3k people

As of 2024, 11.8% of Fort Smith, AR residents (10.6k 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 Fort Smith, AR was 11.5%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,463 ± 387
Vietnam
991 ± 220
Gulf War (1990s)
727 ± 238

Fort Smith, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.48 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Fort Smith, AR.

Economy

The economy of Fort Smith, AR employs 41.1k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Fort Smith, AR were Manufacturing (7,566 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,755 people), and Retail Trade (4,351 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($88,098), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($65,061), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($60,625).

Employment

Occupations

41.1k

2024 Value

± 1,816

0.731%

1 Year growth

± 6.17%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Fort Smith, AR grew at a rate of 0.731%, from 40.8k employees to 41.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Fort Smith, AR, are Production Occupations (4,612 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,251 people), and Management Occupations (3,836 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Fort Smith, 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

41.1k

2024 Value

± 1,816

0.731%

1 Year growth

± 6.17%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Fort Smith, AR grew at a rate of 0.731%, from 40.8k employees to 41.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Fort Smith, AR, are Manufacturing (7,566 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,755 people), and Retail Trade (4,351 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Fort Smith, AR, though some of these residents may live in Fort Smith, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,123

Median earning men ± $1,819

$33,342

Median earning women ± $1,310

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($67,863), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($57,619), and Public Administration ($56,920).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($51,500), Information ($46,404), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,750).

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 Fort Smith, 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 Fort Smith, AR awarded 2,193 degrees. The student population of Fort Smith, AR in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 2,691 male students and 3,813 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Fort Smith, AR are White (1,284 and 59.4%), Hispanic or Latino (372 and 17.2%), Two or More Races (219 and 10.1%), and Asian (158 and 7.31%).

The largest universities in Fort Smith, AR by number of degrees awarded are University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (1,934 and 88.2%), Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (165 and 7.52%), and Academy of Salon and Spa (49 and 2.23%).

The most popular majors in Fort Smith, AR are General Studies (403 and 18.4%), General Business Administration & Management (164 and 7.48%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (160 and 7.3%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $4,512 for in-state students and $11,376 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Fort Smith, AR, the percentage of applicants admitted was 81.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 40.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 6,504 (41.4% men and 58.6% 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 6,504 students enrolled in Fort Smith, AR, 41.4% men and 58.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,753 records, of which 60% were women and 40% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
157 degrees awarded
Organizational Leadership
85 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
67 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Fort Smith, AR was General Business Administration & Management with 157 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Fort Smith, AR according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
1,934 degrees awarded
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
165 degrees awarded
Academy of Salon and Spa
49 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Arkansas-Fort Smith with 1,934 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 950 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Fort Smith, AR, which is 0.764 times less than the 1,243 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 1,284 degrees mean that there were 3.45 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 372 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

Public, 4-year or above ($4,512) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,394) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,260) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Fort Smith, AR was $178,100 in 2024, which is 0.535 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $168,100 to $178,100, a 5.95% increase. The homeownership rate in Fort Smith, AR is 53.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Fort Smith, AR have an average commute time of 16.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Fort Smith, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$178,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$8,924

$19,624

Median Property Taxes

±$1,094

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 Fort Smith, AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Fort Smith, AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

53.4%

Homeownership

2024

68.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 53.4% of the housing units in Fort Smith, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 53%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Fort Smith, 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.

$54,816

Median Household Income

± $2,402

36.8k

Number of Households

± 1,668

In 2024, the median household income of the 36.8k households in Fort Smith, AR grew to $54,816 from the previous year's value of $52,692.

The following chart displays the households in Fort Smith, 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

The closest comparable wage GINI for Fort Smith, AR is from Arkansas.

0.448

2023 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.452

2022 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2023, the income inequality in Arkansas was 0.448 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.73% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (77.4%)
Carpooled (11.5%)
Worked At Home (7.83%)

In 2024, 77.4% of workers in Fort Smith, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.5%) and those who worked at home (7.83%).

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

16.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Fort Smith, AR have a shorter commute time (16.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.1% of the workforce in Fort Smith, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Fort Smith, AR (16.1k out of 88.2k 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 Males 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Fort Smith, AR is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

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

87.3% of the population of Fort Smith, AR has health coverage, with 37.5% on employee plans, 22.8% on Medicaid, 11.6% on Medicare, 13.1% on non-group plans, and 2.26% 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, 49.4% were men and 50.6% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 23.2% between 18 and 34 years, 36.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.4% were men and 50.6% were women.

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

Uninsured People

12.7%

Uninsured

37.5%

Employer Coverage

22.8%

Medicaid

11.6%

Medicare

13.1%

Non-Group

2.26%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Fort Smith, AR declined by 0.72% from 12.8% to 12.7%.

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

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