You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Arkansas. Best sururbs in Arkansas. Best counties in Arkansas.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Natural State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Arkansas based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Arkansas ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Arkansas For 2024
- Johnson
- Lake Hamilton
- Salem
- Lavaca
- Elm Springs
- Rockwell
- Wilson
- Goshen
- Austin
- Haskell
- Gentry
- Gravette
- Avilla
- Elkins
- Wooster
What’s the best small town in Arkansas? Johnson is the best small town in Arkansas based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Johnson, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Natural State check out:
- Best Places To Live In Arkansas
- Cheapest Places To Live In Arkansas
- Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas
The 15 Best Small Towns In Arkansas For 2024
1. Johnson
/10
Population: 3,605
Median Income: $82,386 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $312,366 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%
2. Lake Hamilton
/10
Population: 2,031
Median Income: $62,130 (29th Best)
Median Home Value: $446,616 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
3. Salem
/10
Population: 2,476
Median Income: $83,426 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $141,982 (71st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.6%
4. Lavaca
/10
Population: 2,467
Median Income: $87,500 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $181,009 (44th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
5. Elm Springs
/10
Population: 2,699
Median Income: $123,015 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $557,519 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.9%
6. Rockwell
/10
Population: 4,205
Median Income: $67,344 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $315,208 (8th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 9.6%
7. Wilson
/10
Population: 1,027
Median Income: $72,706 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $177,174 (47th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
8. Goshen
/10
Population: 2,632
Median Income: $167,961 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $661,521 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
9. Austin
/10
Population: 3,659
Median Income: $93,929 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $224,809 (20th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.2%
10. Haskell
/10
Population: 3,996
Median Income: $98,571 (7th Best)
Median Home Value: $189,644 (34th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.4%
11. Gentry
/10
Population: 3,912
Median Income: $62,981 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $251,511 (16th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
12. Gravette
/10
Population: 3,565
Median Income: $65,268 (26th Best)
Median Home Value: $293,656 (10th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.6%
13. Avilla
/10
Population: 1,461
Median Income: $131,250 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $345,759 (7th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
14. Elkins
/10
Population: 3,635
Median Income: $72,940 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $256,517 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
15. Wooster
/10
Population: 1,155
Median Income: $116,964 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $385,759 (6th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Arkansas
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Arkansas possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 138 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 138, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Arkansas. Top of that list — Johnson.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in Arkansas.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Arkansas are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in Arkansas are Johnson, Lake Hamilton, Salem, Lavaca, Elm Springs, Rockwell, Wilson, Goshen, Austin, and Haskell.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Arkansas:
- Hughes
- Marked Tree
- Dermott
For more Arkansas reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas
- Safest Places In Arkansas
- Worst Places To Live In Arkansas
Best Small Towns In Arkansas
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson, AR | 3,605 | $82,386 | 1.0% | |
| 2 | Lake Hamilton, AR | 2,031 | $62,130 | 0.0% | |
| 3 | Salem, AR | 2,476 | $83,426 | 0.6% | |
| 4 | Lavaca, AR | 2,467 | $87,500 | 1.9% | |
| 5 | Elm Springs, AR | 2,699 | $123,015 | 0.9% | |
| 6 | Rockwell, AR | 4,205 | $67,344 | 9.6% | |
| 7 | Wilson, AR | 1,027 | $72,706 | 3.6% | |
| 8 | Goshen, AR | 2,632 | $167,961 | 1.5% | |
| 9 | Austin, AR | 3,659 | $93,929 | 2.2% | |
| 10 | Haskell, AR | 3,996 | $98,571 | 0.4% | |
| 11 | Gentry, AR | 3,912 | $62,981 | 0.0% | |
| 12 | Gravette, AR | 3,565 | $65,268 | 1.6% | |
| 13 | Avilla, AR | 1,461 | $131,250 | 0.0% | |
| 14 | Elkins, AR | 3,635 | $72,940 | 1.4% | |
| 15 | Wooster, AR | 1,155 | $116,964 | 5.1% | |
| 16 | Greenland, AR | 1,424 | $59,638 | 3.2% | |
| 17 | Pottsville, AR | 3,141 | $66,250 | 1.4% | |
| 18 | Vilonia, AR | 4,348 | $77,524 | 4.1% | |
| 19 | West Fork, AR | 3,054 | $68,108 | 2.9% | |
| 20 | Highfill, AR | 1,679 | $96,989 | 0.7% | |
| 21 | Oak Grove Heights, AR | 1,263 | $81,181 | 0.9% | |
| 22 | Shannon Hills, AR | 4,472 | $74,719 | 6.7% | |
| 23 | Redfield, AR | 1,408 | $67,614 | 5.8% | |
| 24 | Brookland, AR | 4,057 | $65,688 | 5.8% | |
| 25 | Prairie Creek, AR | 2,379 | $106,250 | 7.2% | |
| 26 | Charleston, AR | 2,585 | $63,661 | 4.2% | |
| 27 | Gibson, AR | 3,515 | $65,833 | 8.2% | |
| 28 | Eureka Springs, AR | 2,053 | $40,972 | 1.1% | |
| 29 | Cotter, AR | 1,004 | $35,221 | 4.1% | |
| 30 | Dardanelle, AR | 4,544 | $47,724 | 6.8% | |
| 31 | Midway, AR | 1,226 | $36,927 | 0.0% | |
| 32 | Lake Village, AR | 2,084 | $42,143 | 5.5% | |
| 33 | Fairfield Bay, AR | 2,291 | $58,750 | 1.6% | |
| 34 | East Camden, AR | 1,174 | $41,667 | 6.8% | |
| 35 | Gosnell, AR | 2,896 | $43,846 | 0.0% | |
| 36 | Mayflower, AR | 2,172 | $56,216 | 5.0% | |
| 37 | Manila, AR | 3,659 | $105,938 | 5.0% | |
| 38 | Star City, AR | 2,299 | $58,929 | 2.3% | |
| 39 | Smackover, AR | 1,975 | $52,500 | 4.4% | |
| 40 | Green Forest, AR | 3,033 | $48,587 | 3.4% | |
| 41 | West Crossett, AR | 1,196 | $58,906 | 2.9% | |
| 42 | Barling, AR | 4,833 | $50,289 | 4.0% | |
| 43 | Bull Shoals, AR | 1,790 | $45,144 | 11.0% | |
| 44 | Augusta, AR | 1,995 | $51,535 | 6.0% | |
| 45 | Judsonia, AR | 2,204 | $41,232 | 1.7% | |
| 46 | Lake City, AR | 2,389 | $56,414 | 8.3% | |
| 47 | Little Flock, AR | 3,019 | $55,035 | 8.6% | |
| 48 | London, AR | 1,113 | $50,750 | 4.7% | |
| 49 | Hazen, AR | 1,738 | $47,209 | 3.3% | |
| 50 | Mammoth Spring, AR | 1,037 | $39,118 | 3.6% | |
| 51 | Flippin, AR | 1,366 | $38,686 | 9.4% | |
| 52 | Alexander, AR | 3,444 | $68,431 | 7.7% | |
| 53 | Highland, AR | 1,186 | $50,714 | 4.0% | |
| 54 | Piggott, AR | 3,610 | $43,255 | 3.0% | |
| 55 | Ashdown, AR | 4,264 | $60,909 | 10.5% | |
| 56 | Ash Flat, AR | 1,349 | $39,632 | 3.7% | |
| 57 | Marmaduke, AR | 1,513 | $48,021 | 5.8% | |
| 58 | Cave City, AR | 2,038 | $40,441 | 4.3% | |
| 59 | Kibler, AR | 1,141 | $76,667 | 4.3% | |
| 60 | Clinton, AR | 2,508 | $42,292 | 2.6% | |
| 61 | Melbourne, AR | 2,430 | $41,938 | 5.9% | |
| 62 | Cedarville, AR | 1,548 | $50,866 | 1.2% | |
| 63 | Atkins, AR | 2,865 | $51,643 | 6.2% | |
| 64 | Tuckerman, AR | 1,654 | $47,321 | 3.7% | |
| 65 | Bay, AR | 2,392 | $58,036 | 6.6% | |
| 66 | Huntsville, AR | 2,973 | $48,478 | 5.9% | |
| 67 | Mcalmont, AR | 1,584 | $30,517 | 46.9% | |
| 68 | Crossett, AR | 4,805 | $41,250 | 4.6% | |
| 69 | Danville, AR | 2,384 | $61,726 | 6.4% | |
| 70 | Hampton, AR | 1,354 | $55,417 | 6.1% | |
| 71 | Mccrory, AR | 1,738 | $40,568 | 3.4% | |
| 72 | Piney, AR | 4,563 | $45,000 | 5.9% | |
| 73 | Lamar, AR | 1,731 | $41,188 | 2.9% | |
| 74 | Gassville, AR | 2,466 | $46,392 | 8.6% | |
| 75 | Bono, AR | 2,497 | $48,611 | 10.2% | |
| 76 | Fordyce, AR | 3,386 | $35,116 | 8.7% | |
| 77 | Rector, AR | 1,793 | $40,772 | 5.9% | |
| 78 | England, AR | 2,562 | $53,036 | 5.5% | |
| 79 | Yellville, AR | 1,159 | $33,983 | 12.5% | |
| 80 | Lincoln, AR | 2,754 | $50,625 | 4.1% | |
| 81 | Mineral Springs, AR | 1,291 | $39,886 | 4.2% | |
| 82 | Mulberry, AR | 1,616 | $41,932 | 3.3% | |
| 83 | Lonoke, AR | 4,261 | $46,786 | 13.0% | |
| 84 | Corning, AR | 3,202 | $41,607 | 7.0% | |
| 85 | Mountain View, AR | 2,868 | $23,458 | 0.0% | |
| 86 | Paris, AR | 3,214 | $45,505 | 7.6% | |
| 87 | Nashville, AR | 4,156 | $39,836 | 10.0% | |
| 88 | Mount Ida, AR | 1,410 | $42,778 | 7.1% | |
| 89 | Wrightsville, AR | 1,382 | $34,063 | 1.6% | |
| 90 | Gurdon, AR | 1,756 | $39,625 | 5.0% | |
| 91 | Bald Knob, AR | 2,548 | $47,917 | 6.7% | |
| 92 | Carlisle, AR | 2,329 | $35,769 | 6.2% | |
| 93 | Monette, AR | 1,346 | $47,684 | 4.6% | |
| 94 | Perryville, AR | 1,302 | $53,929 | 3.9% | |
| 95 | Mcgehee, AR | 3,812 | $34,917 | 1.4% | |
| 96 | Calico Rock, AR | 1,822 | $36,667 | 4.5% | |
| 97 | Dewitt, AR | 3,017 | $47,147 | 9.2% | |
| 98 | Caraway, AR | 1,174 | $47,679 | 4.9% | |
| 99 | Sulphur Springs, AR | 1,119 | $32,275 | 0.0% | |
| 100 | Decatur, AR | 1,491 | $39,886 | 3.5% |