West Memphis, AR

Census Place

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2024 Population
23,929
US Senator
John Boozman
Republican Party
US Senator
Tom Cotton
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
34.1
1.45% 1-year decrease
2024 Poverty Rate
29.1%
8.1% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$42,674
1.94% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$120,100
0.84% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
8,979
1.52% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in West Memphis, 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.

98.5% of the residents in West Memphis, AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Memphis, AR are Arkansas State University Mid-South (442 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in West Memphis, AR was $120,100, and the homeownership rate was 46.1%.

Most people in West Memphis, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.1 minutes. The average car ownership in West Memphis, AR was 2 cars per household.

Population & Diversity

West Memphis, AR is home to a population of 23.9k people, from which 98.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.16% of West Memphis, AR residents were born outside of the country (516 people).

In 2024, there were 2.23 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (15.1k people) in West Memphis, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.78k White (Non-Hispanic) and 1.08k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Citizenship

98.5%
2024 Citizenship
99.6%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.5% of West Memphis, AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in West Memphis, AR was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Memphis, AR
  1. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    15.1k ± 607
  2. White (Non-Hispanic)
    6.78k ± 443
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    1.08k ± 430
2.85%
Hispanic Population
683 people

In 2024, there were 2.23 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (15.1k people) in West Memphis, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.78k White (Non-Hispanic) and 1.08k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

2.85% of the people in West Memphis, AR are hispanic (683 people).

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

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    66,711 ± 6,271 people
  2. El Salvador
    16,390 ± 3,135 people
  3. 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.

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Foreign-Born Population

2.16%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
516 people
0.895%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
216 people

As of 2024, 2.16% of West Memphis, AR residents (516 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 Memphis, AR was 0.895%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    450 ± 143
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    118 ± 80
  3. Gulf War (2001-)
    95 ± 77

West Memphis, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.81 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in West Memphis, AR.

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Economy

The economy of West Memphis, AR employs 8.98k people. In 2024, the largest industries in West Memphis, AR were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,240 people), Retail Trade (1,164 people), and Manufacturing (1,087 people), and the highest paying industries were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($61,471), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($61,471), and Educational Services ($48,542).

Occupations

8.98k
2024 Value
± 768
−1.52%
1 Year decline
± 12%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Memphis, AR declined at a rate of −1.52%, from 9.12k employees to 8.98k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Memphis, AR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,288 people), Material Moving Occupations (1,167 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (880 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Memphis, AR.

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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 Industries

8.98k
2024 Value
± 768
−1.52%
1 Year decline
± 12%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Memphis, AR declined at a rate of −1.52%, from 9.12k employees to 8.98k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Memphis, AR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,240 people), Retail Trade (1,164 people), and Manufacturing (1,087 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Memphis, AR, though some of these residents may live in West Memphis, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$37,746
Median earning men ± $4,659
$33,505
Median earning women ± $2,102

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($61,471), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($61,288), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,654).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Manufacturing ($46,303), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($38,972), and Public Administration ($38,930).

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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.

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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.

US Senators from Arkansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.
John Boozman
Senator from Arkansas3
Assumed office on January 3, 2011
Tom Cotton
Senator from Arkansas2
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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in West Memphis, AR awarded 442 degrees. The student population of West Memphis, AR in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 457 male students and 564 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Memphis, AR are Black or African American (225 and 51.6%), White (166 and 38.1%), Two or More Races (20 and 4.59%), and Hispanic or Latino (19 and 4.36%).

The largest universities in West Memphis, AR by number of degrees awarded are Arkansas State University Mid-South (442 and 100%).

The most popular majors in West Memphis, AR are Liberal Arts & Sciences (101 and 22.9%), General Business Administration & Management (42 and 9.5%), and General Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Technologies (38 and 8.6%).

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 1,021 students enrolled in West Memphis, AR, 44.8% men and 55.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 576 records, of which 65.3% were women and 34.7% men.

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Concentrations

In 2023, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in West Memphis, AR was Welding Technology with 30 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in West Memphis, AR according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
442 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Arkansas State University Mid-South with 442 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 193 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Memphis, AR, which is 0.775 times less than the 249 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 225 degrees mean that there were 1.36 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 166 degrees awarded.

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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.

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Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($3,552) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,460) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

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Housing & Living

The median property value in West Memphis, AR was $120,100 in 2024, which is 0.361 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $119,100 to $120,100, a 0.84% increase. The homeownership rate in West Memphis, AR is 46.1%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in West Memphis, AR have an average commute time of 20.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Memphis, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Property

$120,100
Median Property Value 2024
±$6,922
$4,320
Median Property Taxes
±$470

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

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

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Rent vs Own

46.1%
Homeownership
2024
67.6%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 46.1% of the housing units in West Memphis, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 45.4%.

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

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$42,674
Median Household Income
± $6,475
9.38k
Number of Households
± 774

In 2024, the median household income of the 9.38k households in West Memphis, AR grew to $42,674 from the previous year's value of $41,860.

The following chart displays the households in West Memphis, 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.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for West Memphis, 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (74.8%)
  2. Carpooled (16.7%)
  3. Worked At Home (6.43%)

In 2024, 74.8% of workers in West Memphis, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (16.7%) and those who worked at home (6.43%).

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.

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Commute Time

20.1 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Memphis, AR have a shorter commute time (20.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.37% of the workforce in West Memphis, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

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

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Poverty & Diversity

29.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Memphis, AR (6.83k out of 23.4k 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 6 - 11, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in West Memphis, AR is Black, followed by White 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.

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Health

89.8% of the population of West Memphis, AR has health coverage, with 28.7% on employee plans, 41% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 7.69% on non-group plans, and 1.73% 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, 45.6% were men and 54.4% were women.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28.6% under 18 years, 23% between 18 and 34 years, 33.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 15% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.6% were men and 54.4% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

10.2%
Uninsured
28.7%
Employer Coverage
41%
Medicaid
10.6%
Medicare
7.69%
Non-Group
1.73%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Memphis, AR grew by 26.6% from 8.09% to 10.2%.

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

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