Fort Smith, AR-OK Metro Area

Fort Smith, AR-OK · Metro Area

229,899Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (2 central, 1 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $58,468
Median home value: $171,200
Land area: 1,805 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Sebastian County, AR	Central	128,900	$57,790	$176,200
Crawford County, AR	Central	61,139	$64,132	$182,800
Sequoyah County, OK	Outlying	39,860	$51,093	$139,400

Largest cities and towns

49 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Fort Smith, AR	City	89,805	$54,816
Van Buren, AR	City	23,763	$61,149
Greenwood, AR	City	9,616	$66,844
Sallisaw, OK	City	8,605	$48,036
Alma, AR	City	5,906	$68,562
Barling, AR	City	5,007	$54,387
Roland, OK	Town	3,687	$51,754
Muldrow, OK	Town	3,309	$45,067
Lavaca, AR	City	2,489	$80,924
Cedarville, AR	City	1,760	$59,740
Mulberry, AR	City	1,646	$50,428
Vian, OK	Town	1,435	$41,250
Mansfield, AR	City	1,204	$53,068
Hackett, AR	City	1,118	$44,081
Gore, OK	Town	1,114	$63,036
Kibler, AR	City	1,085	$58,500
Dyer, AR	City	1,049	$94,327
Brushy, OK	CDP	777	$66,429
Bonanza, AR	City	711	$63,631
Redbird Smith, OK	CDP	659	$61,316
Central City, AR	Town	627	$69,583
Nicut, OK	CDP	609	$36,164
Brent, OK	CDP	583	$87,596
Remy, OK	CDP	580	$130,658
Mountainburg, AR	City	566	$53,068

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Unemployment

College Educated

21%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$58,468

Mean Household Income

$82,344

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.3%

Female

50.7%

Population Split

Male49.3%

Female50.7%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English11.3%

German10.8%

Irish10.7%

Mexican7.8%

Scottish1.7%

Italian1.6%

French1.5%

Polish0.6%

African0.4%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.6%Foreign Born

93.4%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized47.5%

Non-Citizen52.5%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later21.9%

Before 201078.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

101,458

Median Rent

$866/mo

Median Home Value

$171,200

Median Year Built

1984

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

51,870

College Enrollment

13.5%

High School

24.0%

College Educated

21.0%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

80.2%

Public Transit

0.1%

Work From Home

6.8%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

23.8%

18-34 Years

21.5%

35-64 Years

37.2%

65+ Years

17.5%

Population Composition

Under 1823.8%

18-3421.5%

35-6437.2%

65+17.5%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.2%

Single Parent

5.9%

Living Alone

27.5%

Avg Size

2.49

Household Types

Married Couples49.2%

Single Parent5.9%

Living Alone27.5%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$32,511

SNAP Usage

12.9%

Health Insurance

89.0%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k18.9%

$25k - $50k24.7%

$50k - $100k31.4%

$100k+25.1%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

16.5%

Retail Trade

11.8%

Education & Health Care

22.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

22.0%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

89.0%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

86.1%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.0%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

85.9

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

169.3

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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