CountyScore

Bradley County

Arkansas · AR

#26 in Arkansas
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Bradley County, Arkansas

Strong livability, slight risk exposure

Bradley County scores 71.5, placing it 21.5 points above the national median of 50.0 and in the top quartile nationally. It also exceeds Arkansas's state average of 70.3, demonstrating competitive regional livability despite some unique challenges.

Second-highest scorer statewide

Bradley County ranks second among the eight featured Arkansas counties, tying closely with Boone County. Its 71.5 score reflects strong performance in affordability and tax efficiency.

Exceptional housing and tax bargains

Bradley County boasts the second-best housing affordability score (89.2) with median homes at just $97,000 and rent at $638/month, rivaling Ashley County. The tax burden is also light at 86.5, making it one of the most cost-efficient counties in the dataset.

Severe income and risk constraints

Bradley County has the lowest median household income at just $39,565 (income score 9.2) and the highest environmental or safety risk exposure at 69.3. Health outcomes (54.5) are also the weakest among all eight counties, indicating community wellness challenges.

For ultra-frugal remote workers only

Bradley County is best suited to remote workers, retirees, or others with income sources independent of local wages who can live on minimal budgets. The trade-off: accepting the lowest local incomes and highest risk factors for extraordinary housing affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86.5Cost89.2SafetyComing SoonHealth54.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome9.2Risk69.3WaterComing Soon
🏛86.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼9.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Bradley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $36,723
Cherokee County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $50,769
Franklin County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $51,919
Fulton County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $38,941
Ouachita County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $49,838

Deep Dives

Bradley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bradley County

via TaxByCounty

Bradley County taxes are high

At 0.561%, Bradley County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.495% by 13%, placing it among higher-tax counties nationwide. Yet the median bill of just $544 remains low—less than 20% of the national median—because property values here average just $97,000.

Above average in Arkansas

Bradley County's 0.561% effective rate ranks above the Arkansas state average of 0.532%, making it one of the pricier counties for property taxes relative to value. The median tax bill of $544 falls just 23% below the state median of $705.

A regional high-rate outlier

Bradley County's 0.561% rate exceeds Boone County (0.534%), Baxter County (0.463%), and Calhoun County (0.498%), though it trails Ashley County (0.610%) and Benton County (0.607%). Among lower-income counties, Bradley stands out for aggressive taxation.

Your estimated annual tax bill

On a median home valued at $97,000, a Bradley County homeowner pays approximately $544 per year. With a mortgage, you'll see about $588 in annual escrow payments.

Challenge your assessment

Bradley County's above-average tax rate makes reassessment appeals particularly valuable for stretched family budgets. Contact your county assessor to request a review—even modest reductions make a real difference in counties with lower median incomes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bradley County

via CostByCounty

Bradley County: Tight Budgets on Tight Incomes

Bradley County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 18.1% and approaches the national affordability ceiling, creating real strain on households earning just $39,565 annually. Monthly rent of $638 consumes a notably larger share of income here than in most nearby counties.

Below-Average Affordability in Arkansas

Bradley County ranks among the state's least affordable counties, with a 19.4% rent-to-income ratio and the lowest median household income ($39,565) in this eight-county comparison. Combined, these factors create genuine economic pressure for residents.

Lowest Income, High Housing Burden Ratio

Bradley County's $638 rent matches Ashley County's price point, yet Bradley's income of $39,565 is $4,916 lower, pushing the affordability ratio to 19.4%—the worst in this group. Home values of $97,000 remain accessible, but income constraints limit purchasing power.

Limited Flexibility in Household Budgets

Renters allocate $638 monthly while owners pay just $522, yet with annual income of only $39,565, housing still claims roughly 19% of earnings. This leaves minimal cushion for unexpected expenses, health care, or savings.

Bradley County: Proceed With Caution

Bradley County offers rock-bottom rents and home values, but the mismatch between low income and high affordability ratios demands careful financial planning. Consider this county only if employment prospects significantly outweigh current income levels.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bradley County

via IncomeByCounty

Bradley County faces steep national income gap

Median household income of $39,565 trails the national median of $74,755 by $35,190, placing Bradley County among the nation's lowest earners. This substantial shortfall indicates an economy with significant structural economic challenges.

Arkansas's second-lowest earner

Bradley County's $39,565 median household income ranks near the bottom of Arkansas counties, falling $11,591 below the state average of $51,156. Only a handful of Arkansas counties earn less, signaling economic distress.

Lowest earner in the surrounding region

Bradley County's $39,565 is the lowest income among southeast Arkansas counties, trailing Ashley County ($44,481) by over $4,900. This positions Bradley as economically disadvantaged relative to all neighboring counties.

Housing costs consume excessive income share

At 19.4% of household income, Bradley County's rent-to-income ratio approaches the 30% danger threshold, squeezing household budgets significantly. With a median home value of $97,000, homeownership remains the most achievable path to housing stability.

Small steps build financial foundations

Bradley County residents can start wealth-building with micro-savings strategies: round purchases up to nearest dollar, redirect small refunds to savings, or join low-cost credit union savings clubs. Every $25-50 monthly builds emergency reserves critical for financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bradley County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy falls short nationally

Bradley County residents live an average of 71.5 years, over 4.5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 28% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among comparison counties—indicating widespread chronic disease and health challenges. These disparities signal the need for targeted health interventions.

Among the state's most challenged

Bradley County's 71.5-year life expectancy falls 0.8 years below Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, and its 12.2% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 9.9%. With one in eight residents lacking health insurance, many delay care or rely on emergency services, creating cycles of poor health outcomes.

Struggling relative to all peers

Bradley County's 71.5-year life expectancy and 28.3% poor/fair health rate exceed every comparison county except Arkansas County, reflecting cumulative health challenges. With 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 89 mental health providers per 100,000, the county faces both coverage and access barriers.

Coverage gap limits healthcare access

Bradley County's 12.2% uninsured rate—the highest among peers—means one in eight residents skips or delays doctor visits due to cost. With only 58 primary care providers and 89 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, uninsured and underinsured residents face dual barriers: they lack coverage and have limited providers to access.

Expand coverage to improve health

Bradley County's 12.2% uninsured rate is the highest among peers and preventable. Contact 2-1-1 Arkansas or visit healthcare.gov to find Medicaid, Marketplace plans, or community health programs—most qualifying families can afford coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bradley County

via RiskByCounty

Bradley County's low national risk

Bradley County's composite risk score of 30.76 ranks among the lowest in the nation, with a "very low" disaster vulnerability rating. The county's geographical position and hazard exposure create one of the safest profiles in the United States.

One of Arkansas's safest counties

Bradley County's 30.76 is less than half the state average of 55.51, making it one of Arkansas's lowest-risk counties. This favorable standing reflects relative protection from most major hazard types.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Bradley County's 30.76 is dramatically lower than Ashley County's 53.91 and Calhoun County's 2.26 (the state's safest), though it ranks well in the regional context. The county's southern position distances it from the highest-risk areas of north Arkansas.

Earthquake risk remains a secondary concern

While Bradley County's overall risk is very low, earthquake risk of 81.17 represents its highest hazard score. All other risks—flood (24.49), wildfire (27.45), and tornado (53.31)—remain relatively modest.

Basic coverage adequate for Bradley

Standard homeowners insurance should suffice for most Bradley County residents, though earthquake coverage is worth considering given the 81.17 score. Regular home maintenance and modest storm preparedness remain sensible precautions.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.