The Largest City in Arkansas Now and in 30 Years

Arkansas is a pretty small state when it comes to population. In fact, it ranks 32nd in the U.S. for population, meaning 31 states have more residents than Arkansas! However, Arkansas has a few places that are larger than the rest of the state. We’re going to dive into the largest city in Arkansas now, where it is, and what it offers. Then, we’re going to give some insight as to what the next 30 years look like for the state.

What Is the Largest City in Arkansas?

The largest city in Arkansas is Little Rock, with a population of 202,484 according to the U.S. Census. Little Rock is easily the largest city in the state, since the 2nd place winner, Fort Smith, has a population of just 89,141. 

Little Rock is the 118th-largest city in America. While other states like Florida, New York, and Texas boat cities with hundreds of thousands — and even millions — of residents, Arkansas’s largest city only has a little over 200,000. So while Little Rock is a large city for Arkansas, it’s not too large compared to other states. 

Little Rock Statistics and Economics

The median household income in Little Rock is $46,409 which is significantly less than the national average of $74,580. However, the median house price there is $151,600, which is much less than average and helps balance it out.

Around a third of Little Rock’s labor force is in educational services, health care, or social assistance industries. It is the leading industry in the city, followed by the retail trade industry and the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and/or food service industry.

What Attracts People to Little Rock?

There are a ton of reasons that people move to Arkansas’s largest city. First, Little Rock is known for its great restaurant scene. There are tons of coffee shops, cafes, and fine dining spots in the downtown. 

Little Rock is also very immersed in nature. There is plenty of hiking near the city, with Pinnacle Mountain rising just outside of it. Pinnacle Mountain offers trail hiking, mountain biking, and breathtaking views. 

Little Rock is surrounded by wineries, mainly because Arkansas is the oldest southern state in wine production. It also is host to regular festivals and events throughout the year.

What Will Be the Largest City in Arkansas in 30 Years?

Little Rock’s population is more than double the population of Fort Smith, Arkansas’s 2nd-most-populated city. At this rate, and given the fact that Little Rock’s population is currently increasing, it is highly likely that Little Rock will still be the largest city in Arkansas in 30 years.

Top 5 Largest Cities in Arkansas: A Comparison

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sean Pavone/iStock via Getty Images