The Town Files

Independence County, Arkansas

38,175 people. The median home is worth $142,600 (typical Arkansas town: $128,600) and the median household earns $56,609.

Towns in Independence County

Towns in Independence County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Batesville11,191$163,600$51,85633.9
Southside4,279$151,300$65,65537.5

People and housing

Independence CountyTypical Arkansas town
Median home value$142,600$128,600
Median rent$845$792
Median household income$56,609$50,408
Median age38.737.8
Bachelor's degree or higher18.1%16.5%
Below the poverty line20.4%19.7%

Jobs and pay

17,612 jobs in 2024, average pay $48,642 a year.

Largest industries in Independence CountyHealth care & social assistan…3,850 jobs · $55,161Manufacturing3,670 jobs · $55,290Retail1,955 jobs · $32,978Administrative & support1,513 jobs · $35,635Hotels & restaurants1,182 jobs · $18,399Construction572 jobs · $59,225
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Independence County0%2%4%6%8%10%2000200420082012201620202023 3.4%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 574 storm events in Independence County from 1996 to 2026, with 1 deaths.

Storm events in Independence County by type since 1996Hail143Flood32Drought13Tornado21Lightning10Heavy Rain15Heavy Snow8Flash Flood61Frost/Freeze8Winter Storm24
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Independence County has been included in 31 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3636: Severe Winter Storm
May 8, 2025Severe StormDR-4865: Severe Storms And Tornadoes
April 5, 2025Severe StormEM-3627: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding
August 27, 2020HurricaneEM-3541: Hurricane Laura
April 3, 2020BiologicalDR-4518: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3461: Covid-19
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).