ARKANSAS
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2050
Sources: Census figures from U.S. Bureau of the Census & *Estimates from Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
ARKANSAS POPULATION DENSITY
Arkansas Land Area - 52,035 square miles
YEAR | PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE |
|---|---|
2020 | 57.9 |
2010 | 56 |
2000 | 51.4 |
1990 | 45.2 |
1980 | 43.9 |
1970 | 37 |
1960 | 34.3 |
1950 | 36.7 |
1940 | 37.5 |
1930 | 35.6 |
1920 | 33.7 |
1910 | 30.3 |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Arkansas Population News Articles
Northwest Arkansas grew more than these metros in 2025: US Census – March 31, 2026
Highfill addressing rapid growth; city sees Arkansas’ largest percentage increase in population in 12-month period – May 23, 2026
Colorado’s Arkansas Valley water confronts contamination, climate change and political drama – May 11, 2026
Arkansas growth slows to pandemic-era pace even as state tops 3.1 million residents – February 9, 2026
Arkansas Population Boom Spurs High Demand for Buildings, Infrastructure - February 9, 2026
Tontitown residents say the Eco-Vista Landfill is making them sick – Mar 23, 2026
AAEA report indicates energy demand may outpace infrastructure – Mar 18, 2026
Arkansas Approves Funding for Local Water and Wastewater Projects – Mar 17, 2026
Press Release: Boozman Calls for Habitat Stewardship Amid Duck Population Decline – Mar 3, 2026
Gov. Sanders provides over $153M for Arkansas water projects – Nov 19, 2025
Arkansas’s Lung Cancer Rate Among Highest in US, 2025 Report Finds – Nov 12, 2025
Beaver Watershed Alliance receives $618,000 for smart growth project – Oct 30, 2025
About 4 of every 30,000 registered Arkansas voters are not U.S. citizens, secretary of state says – Oct 30, 2025
Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report – Oct 24, 2025
Fall fuels wildfire risk in Arkansas as officials urge early fire reports – Oct 23, 2025
Advances in Water Resources: Impact Factor & Arkansas Ag for 2025 – July 22, 2025
Noncriminal ICE arrests rose in Arkansas last month – Jul 22, 2025
Arkansas projected population growth from 2025 through 2035 – June 30, 2025
Arkansas Lake Beach Closures Due to E. Coli – June 27, 2025
All but one north central Arkansas county sees population growth from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024 – June 26, 2025
Arkansas launches statewide search for PFAS in lakes and rivers – May 27, 2025
Boozman Provisions in Water Infrastructure Bill Become Law – Jan 9, 2025
Arkansas E&E project aims to improve solid waste management and recycling in Arkansas – Jan 8, 2025
Dry weather, armyworms and high input costs made 2024 a rough year for Arkansas cattle producers – Dec 30, 2024
From Mississippi River lows to rising costs: Arkansas farmers brace for uncertain 2025 – Dec 23, 2024
BluSky Carbon Announces LOI For $192M Biochar Project In Arkansas – Dec 13, 2024
USDA rural infrastructure program pumps nearly $15 million into water treatment in two west Arkansas cities – Oct 2, 2024
In growing Northwest Arkansas, some Tontitown residents fear the area’s lone landfill poses health risks – Sept 26, 2024
Central Arkansas Water receives $80 million state loan for treatment plant improvements – Sept 20, 2024
Advocates meet to support immigrant & refugee communities in northwest Arkansas – Sept 19, 2024
Arkansas coalition receives $99.9 million EPA grant for environmental projects – July 22, 2024
Fort Smith, Arkansas to be part of $4 billion in clean air grants – July 22, 2024
AR rice growers turn to zero-grade farming to save water – July 17, 2024
Population growth in Arkansas has police departments looking to expand – July 10, 2024
Arkansas farms contribute to growing “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico – July 8, 2024
Booming Arkansas: How migration is fueling population growth and driving up housing prices – July 7, 2024
Commission votes to expand Tontitown, Arkansas, landfill; mayor to appeal the decision – December 5, 2023
Benton County leads in EV commuting in Arkansas – December 4, 2023
Rate of undocumented immigrants stays steady in Arkansas – November 28, 2023
“Don’t freak out” key message for Arkansas growers, gardeners after USDA updates Plant Hardiness Zone Map – November 25, 2023
THE STATE OF CONSERVATION: ARKANSAS CONSERVATION LEADERS SPEAK OUT ON STEWARDSHIP OF LAND – November 16, 2023
Utility executives urge partnership with advanced energy companies for state policy advancement – November 12, 2023
Arkansas: See which counties have increased in population – July 31, 2023
Population growth in city affects all schools – Jan 24, 2023
Water rates increasing for Central Arkansas customers – Jan 13, 2023
Burn bans in place across Arkansas – Aug 10, 2022
Arkansas' monarch butterflies are becoming a rare sight – July 27, 2022
Police try to keep violent crime down as region’s population goes up – July 17, 2022
Food security, land use concern with growing population – July 14, 2022
North Arkansas facility reduces toxic gas emissions following elevated cancer risk estimates – March 21, 2022
Arkansas to receive over $46M from USDOT to support transit – April 6, 2022
Army Corps in Little Rock Gets Extra $169M for Navigation, Flood Control Projects – April 6, 2022
Saline County sees highest percentage growth of central Arkansas counties – December 21, 2021
Arkansas in line for $54 million to build electric-car charging stations – December 19, 2021
Mapped: How Arkansas compares on weather disasters – October 6, 2021
Residents key to slower traffic – October 5, 2021
Ballooning housing costs in Northwest Arkansas require regional approach, study says – September 10, 2021
Wind energy gains ground in Arkansas – September 10, 2021
Neighbors speak out about Tontitown landfill expansion -July 27, 2021
Garfield seeks funding for water department – July 7, 2021
Scientists make effort to lift prospects for bees in Arkansas – June 29, 2021
Deal in works to buy wildlands near Pinnacle Mountain – April 11, 2021
NW Arkansas panel approves transportation plan to cover next 25 years – March 25, 2021
Northwest Arkansas Council to address housing affordability issue in region – March 18, 2021
3 lessons from the first certified green bond to protect forests for drinking water – March 24, 2021
Aging infrastructure may force tough decisions at AGFC – March 31, 2021