Garland County

As of 2020, Garland County, AR had a population of approximately 100,180. The racial composition includes 87% White, 7% Black or African American, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 1.3% Asian, and 2% from two or more races. The median household income is around $45,000, and about 17% of residents live below the poverty line. The county has a median age of 47 years, indicating a relatively older population compared to national averages.

As of 2023, Garland County, AR, has a median home value of approximately $179,000. The median rent is around $925 per month. Homeownership rate stands at 71.2%, with a typical household size of 2.34 people. Housing units total around 50,000, with 77% of these being single-family homes. New home construction has increased by 2.5% annually. Vacant housing units are about 13%, aiding affordability and availability. Local property taxes are relatively low, averaging 0.61% of home value annually.

As of the 2023 election cycle, Garland County, Arkansas, primarily votes in federal, state, and local elections. Some key positions include the Sheriff, County Judge, and various judgeships and board members.

For the 2022 midterm elections, Garland County saw a voter turnout of approximately 54%, with over 26,000 ballots cast. Key candidates across different positions included Republicans Melinda Speaks (County Judge), Democrat Karen Garcia (Circuit Clerk), and several non-partisan positions like school board members and judicial seats.

For the next upcoming election, be sure to check the Garland County Election Commission website for the most up-to-date list of candidates and specific voting statistics. Early voting usually starts about 2 weeks before Election Day, and several polling locations will be available throughout the county.

As of the most recent data, Garland County, AR has a high school graduation rate of approximately 88.2%. This sits slightly below the national average of 89.5% but aligns closely with the Arkansas state average of around 87%. In terms of higher education, around 23.1% of Garland County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of approximately 33.1% and the state average of about 22.4%. The county shows a steady commitment to education, with efforts to improve literacy rates and provide vocational training. However, there remains room for growth in higher education attainment to meet national levels.

As of recent data, Garland County, AR, has an employment rate of approximately 55.4%, with a total labor force of around 45,500. The county's unemployment rate stands at about 4.1%. Top industries in Garland County include Health Care and Social Assistance (employing around 20% of the workforce), Retail Trade (13%), and Accommodation and Food Services (11%).

Compared to national averages, the healthcare sector in Garland County employs a higher percentage of workers (U.S. average ~14%), while retail and food services are relatively comparable to the national figures of 11.5% and 8.5%, respectively. The unemployment rate in Garland County is relatively close to the national average of around 3.8%. Statewide, Arkansas sees similar employment trends, with healthcare, retail, and manufacturing as key industries but often with a slightly higher percentage in manufacturing compared to Garland County.

As of the most recent data, the average household income in Garland County, Arkansas, is approximately $50,000 annually. This is below both the national and state averages. For comparison, the average household income in the United States is around $68,700, while that of Arkansas is about $52,800. These figures highlight the economic disparity between Garland County and broader benchmarks.

This comparison illustrates that households in Garland County tend to earn less than the average household both in the state of Arkansas and nationally.

As of the most recent data, Garland County, AR, has a crime rate of approximately 38.4 per 1,000 residents annually. Below is a summary of various crime statistics:

These values indicate that property crimes are significantly more common than violent crimes in Garland County. Note that crime rates can fluctuate over time, so refer to local law enforcement or updated databases for real-time statistics.