countyscore
57.6
County Score
Disaster Risk 97.8Property Tax 87.6Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Calhoun County, Arkansas

Above National Average, Strong Composite Performance

Calhoun County scores 55.4, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by more than 5 points and ranking in the top 50% of U.S. counties. This solid standing reflects a well-rounded livability profile with few severe weak spots.

Top Performer in This Arkansas Sample

At 55.4, Calhoun County leads all eight counties in this cohort and outpaces the Arkansas state average of 47.9 by more than 7 points. It represents the best livability outcome among these peers.

Balanced Strength Across Affordability, Taxes, and Schools

Calhoun County excels with a tax score of 86.1 (effective rate 0.498%), cost score of 75.8 (median home $97,300), outstanding risk mitigation (97.8—highest in the sample), and strong schools (56.5). A moderate income score of 50.0 adds equilibrium.

Health Outcomes and Safety Present Growth Opportunities

The health score of 22.4 and safety score of 24.9 are the county's relative weaknesses, suggesting investment in public health and crime prevention could unlock even higher composite scores. These are manageable gaps, not structural crises.

Perfect for Families Seeking Balanced Small-Town Living

Calhoun County is the strongest overall choice for families and retirees seeking a complete package: low taxes, affordable housing, decent schools, and excellent environmental safety. It offers the best risk-adjusted livability in this Arkansas sample.

2040608010087.68524.922.456.553.997.88649.1Tax87.6Cost85Safety24.9Health22.4Schools56.5Income53.9Risk97.8Water86Weather49.157.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Calhoun County DNA

Foverall

How Calhoun County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Calhoun County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (97.8/100) but notably weak in Safety (24.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
87.6+35.599999999999994
Cost
85+37
Safety
24.9-30.1
Health
22.4-27.6
Schools
56.5
Income
53.9
Risk
97.8+50.8
Water
86+28
Weather
49.1
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Compare mortgage rates in Calhoun County

Whether buying or refinancing in Calhoun County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$110,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$769/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$110,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,809/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Calhoun County with Conecuh County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Conecuh County
Alabama
Median income: $41,327
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Pitkin County
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Median income: $102,645
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Daviess County
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Washington County
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Audubon County
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Cedar County
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Ballard County
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Harlan County
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Nearby counties

Ouachita County
Arkansas
45.5
Bradley County
Arkansas
53.1
Union County
Arkansas
39.6
Dallas County
Arkansas
56
Cleveland County
Arkansas
55.4
Columbia County
Arkansas
49.7
Ashley County
Arkansas
45.7
Nevada County
Arkansas
52.8

Deep Dives

Calhoun County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Calhoun County

via TaxByCounty

Calhoun County keeps rates low

At 0.498%, Calhoun County's effective tax rate sits just 0.6% above the national median of 0.495%, making it virtually in line with national norms. The median tax bill of $485 runs just 18% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting properties valued 65% below the U.S. average.

Below average in Arkansas

Calhoun County's 0.498% effective rate falls below the Arkansas state average of 0.532%, ranking it among the more affordable counties statewide. The median tax bill of $485 is the second-lowest of these eight counties, behind only Ashley County's $542.

The low-tax southern option

Calhoun County's 0.498% rate ranks fourth among these eight counties, besting Boone County (0.534%), Bradley County (0.561%), and Arkansas County (0.558%). Only Baxter County (0.463%) offers lower rates in the broader regional comparison.

Your estimated annual tax bill

On a median home valued at $97,300, a Calhoun County homeowner pays roughly $485 per year. Mortgage holders typically see approximately $382 in annual escrow payments (note: lower than annual bill due to data reporting variance).

Verify your property's true value

Calhoun County's already-modest tax burden makes each dollar count, making assessment appeals worthwhile for careful homeowners. Request a reassessment to ensure your home isn't valued above current market rates in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calhoun County

via IncomeByCounty

Calhoun County moderately below national average

At $63,654, Calhoun County's median household income falls $11,101 short of the national median of $74,755, yet ranks above many U.S. counties. This positions Calhoun in the lower-middle range nationally, with earnings power constrained but not critically.

Top earner in Arkansas

Calhoun County's $63,654 median household income ranks among Arkansas's highest and exceeds the state average of $51,156 by $12,498. This $12,500 advantage places Calhoun firmly in the state's upper-income tier.

Strong earner outpacing most regional peers

Calhoun County's $63,654 exceeds Ashley County ($44,481), Bradley County ($39,565), and Baxter County ($48,427) by significant margins. Only Arkansas County ($60,831) comes close, making Calhoun a relative economic powerhouse in south-central Arkansas.

Excellent housing affordability for the county

At just 15.5% of household income, Calhoun County's rent-to-income ratio is among the state's most favorable, indicating strong housing cost balance. With a median home value of $97,300, homeownership remains highly accessible.

Build wealth with income advantages

Calhoun County residents earning above state average can direct $200-300 monthly into employer retirement plans or individual investment accounts. With affordable housing and solid incomes, wealth accumulation becomes realistic through disciplined, long-term investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Calhoun County

via CrimeByCounty

Calhoun County’s Strong National Safety Standing

Calhoun County reports a safety score of 97.1 and a total crime rate of 1,864.7 per 100K. This rate is substantially better than the national average of 2,385.5.

How Calhoun County Ranks in Arkansas

The county’s safety score beats the Arkansas average of 96.3. Two reporting agencies manage a crime rate that is nearly 500 points lower than the state average.

Calhoun County vs Nearby Ashley and Bradley

Calhoun County sits in a safe cluster, reporting lower crime than Ashley but slightly more than Bradley. It remains a very safe choice for residents in southern Arkansas.

Breaking Down the Local Crime Data

Property crimes occur at a rate of 1,508.5 per 100K, well below the national rate of 2,015.7. Violent crimes are also lower than the national average, standing at 356.2 per 100K.

Preventing Opportunity Crimes Locally

Keeping valuables out of sight in vehicles is a smart way to prevent opportunistic property crime. Small adjustments to daily routines help keep these low crime rates stable.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Calhoun County

via SoilByCounty

Exploring the Soils of Calhoun

Comprehensive soil testing data for pH and taxonomic order is currently unavailable for Calhoun County. While the national median pH is 6.5, many surrounding South Arkansas counties trend much more acidic. Local residents should conduct individual soil tests to determine their specific baseline before planting.

Awaiting Local Texture Analysis

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not currently documented in our dataset for this region. Without these numbers, it is difficult to generalize about the drainage or workability of the soil. Knowing the texture is the first step toward understanding how your garden will handle water and nutrients.

Fertility Potential Remains Untested

Data regarding organic matter and water capacity is currently missing for Calhoun County. In the absence of benchmarks, looking at neighboring counties suggests a likely organic matter level below the state average of 4.15%. Local testing can reveal if your specific plot has the water capacity to withstand Arkansas summers.

Hydraulic Characteristics Unknown

The drainage class and hydrologic group for this county are not yet recorded. In this part of the state, soils often range from sandy and well-drained to clay-heavy and prone to ponding. Observing how water moves on your land after a storm is the most reliable way to assess drainage.

Long Growing Seasons in Zone 8a

Despite the limited soil data, the climate in Hardiness Zone 8a is excellent for long-season crops like peppers and melons. Calhoun County offers the warmth needed for a productive garden from early spring through late fall. Don't let the lack of data stop you; start small, test your soil, and watch your garden grow.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Calhoun County

via LawnByCounty

Heat-Driven Lawn Care Challenges

Calhoun County scores 34.8 for lawn difficulty, placing it near the state average but below the national norm. In hardiness zone 8a, heat management is the primary factor for maintaining a healthy green space.

Navigating 82 Extreme Heat Days

Lawns here must survive 82 days above 90°F, significantly higher than the Arkansas average of 64 days. While 53.1 inches of rain falls annually, the intense heat can evaporate moisture quickly, stressing the turf.

Preparing Your Local Soil Base

While detailed soil data for this county is currently limited, regional neighbors often deal with acidic conditions and varying drainage. Conduct a local soil test to determine your specific pH and nutrient needs before planting.

Drought Persistence in Calhoun

The county is currently 100% covered by severe drought conditions, with 22 weeks of drought recorded over the past year. Efficient watering before sunrise is essential to ensure your lawn absorbs moisture before the heat hits.

Kickstarting Your Southern Lawn

Heat-loving varieties like St. Augustine or Bermuda grass are the most resilient choices for this climate. Although specific local frost dates are unavailable, aim to plant once spring temperatures remain consistently warm.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Calhoun County's county score?
Calhoun County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 57.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Calhoun County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Calhoun County ranks #9 among all counties in Arkansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Calhoun County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Calhoun County is $515, with an effective tax rate of 0.47%. This earns Calhoun County a tax score of 87.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Calhoun County?
The median household income in Calhoun County, Arkansas is $66,809 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Calhoun County earns an income score of 53.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Calhoun County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Calhoun County scores 57.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #9 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Calhoun County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Calhoun County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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