Cleburne County exceeds national livability standards
Cleburne County's composite score of 70.1 sits 20 points above the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong performance across multiple livability dimensions. The score is nearly on par with Arkansas's state average of 70.3.
2 / 5
Right at Arkansas's state average
Cleburne County scores 70.1, placing it dead even with the Arkansas state average of 70.3 and squarely in the competitive middle tier. This positioning reflects balanced strengths without standout weaknesses.
3 / 5
Strongest incomes and best tax rate in this group
Cleburne County posts the best income score (19.9) and lowest effective tax rate (0.466%) among all eight counties, with median household income of $55,979. Health outcomes (64.7) also lead, reflecting strong community wellness and economic vitality paired with minimal tax burden.
4 / 5
Rising housing costs and moderate risk exposure
While still affordable, Cleburne's median home value ($174,600) is higher than most peers, and rent ($853/month) pushes toward the upper end of this group's range. The risk score (27.3) suggests moderate vulnerability to economic or natural disruptions.
5 / 5
Ideal for higher-income professionals seeking value
Cleburne County best serves households earning $55,000–$75,000 who want the lowest tax burden, solid health infrastructure, and working-age income potential. It's an attractive option for professionals relocating to the South and seeking rewarding work with reasonable living costs.
Cleburne County exceeds national livability standards
Cleburne County's composite score of 70.1 sits 20 points above the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong performance across multiple livability dimensions. The score is nearly on par with Arkansas's state average of 70.3.
Right at Arkansas's state average
Cleburne County scores 70.1, placing it dead even with the Arkansas state average of 70.3 and squarely in the competitive middle tier. This positioning reflects balanced strengths without standout weaknesses.
Strongest incomes and best tax rate in this group
Cleburne County posts the best income score (19.9) and lowest effective tax rate (0.466%) among all eight counties, with median household income of $55,979. Health outcomes (64.7) also lead, reflecting strong community wellness and economic vitality paired with minimal tax burden.
Rising housing costs and moderate risk exposure
While still affordable, Cleburne's median home value ($174,600) is higher than most peers, and rent ($853/month) pushes toward the upper end of this group's range. The risk score (27.3) suggests moderate vulnerability to economic or natural disruptions.
Ideal for higher-income professionals seeking value
Cleburne County best serves households earning $55,000–$75,000 who want the lowest tax burden, solid health infrastructure, and working-age income potential. It's an attractive option for professionals relocating to the South and seeking rewarding work with reasonable living costs.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛89.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.466%, Cleburne County has one of the lowest effective tax rates in the United States, well below the national median. Despite higher median home values of $174,600, residents pay just $814 annually—less than one-third the national median tax.
Arkansas's lowest-tax county
Cleburne County's 0.466% effective rate is the lowest among all Arkansas counties, falling well below the state average of 0.532%. The median tax bill of $814 sits above the state median due to higher home values, but the rate itself offers exceptional value.
Significantly lower rate than regional peers
Cleburne County's 0.466% rate is substantially lower than Conway (0.524%), Craighead (0.545%), and Clay (0.521%) counties. Even with the county's highest median home values in the cluster at $174,600, the ultra-low rate keeps annual taxes competitive.
Median property tax: $814 annually
A Cleburne County home valued at the median $174,600 generates an estimated annual property tax of $814. Homeowners with mortgages and those without pay nearly identical amounts: $824 and $804 respectively.
Appeal opportunities exist even with low rates
Cleburne's low tax rate doesn't guarantee fair assessments—properties can still be valued above market in individual cases. Filing an appeal is free and may uncover assessment errors that save hundreds over time.
Cleburne County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Arkansas's state average of 18.1%, indicating tighter affordability than many U.S. markets. Despite a median household income of $55,979 below the national median of $74,755, rental demand here remains competitive.
Cleburne sits just above state average
Cleburne County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio places it slightly above the state average, ranking in the mid-to-upper tier of Arkansas counties for housing affordability. The $174,600 median home value reflects its position as a more developed region in the state.
Cleburne's rents rise above region
At $853 monthly, Cleburne's median rent significantly outpaces the state average of $760 and exceeds most neighboring counties, including Clay ($696) and Conway ($721). This higher rental market reflects Cleburne's relatively stronger economy and development.
Cleburne rents claim 18% of income
Cleburne households earning $55,979 annually spend $853 monthly on rent—approximately 18% of income, slightly tighter than state norms. Homeowners average $662 monthly payments on homes valued at $174,600, requiring more substantial financial commitment than neighboring counties.
Cleburne suits established relocators
If you're moving to Arkansas with higher income and seeking a more developed county, Cleburne's higher rent and home values reflect its stronger market. Compare carefully with neighboring Clay or Conway counties to ensure Cleburne's premium pricing aligns with available employment and lifestyle.
Cleburne County's median household income of $55,979 outpaces most Arkansas counties but remains 25% below the national median of $74,755. The county shows stronger earnings than rural peers, signaling more diverse economic activity.
Strong performer among Arkansas counties
At $55,979, Cleburne ranks in the upper third of Arkansas counties, 9% above the state average of $51,156. The per capita income of $32,380 exceeds the state average by 15%, indicating well-distributed earning power.
Leader in regional income landscape
Cleburne's $55,979 leads most nearby counties, exceeding Clay ($48,500) by $7,500 and Clark ($50,985) by nearly $5,000. Only Craighead County ($57,615) edges ahead, marking Cleburne as a solid regional wage center.
Housing costs rise with income
The 18.3% rent-to-income ratio remains healthy, though higher median home values of $174,600 reflect strong property markets. Households still maintain comfortable margins for savings and discretionary spending.
Scale investments with rising income
Cleburne's above-average income positions households to maximize retirement contributions and diversified portfolios. Consider tax-advantaged strategies like 401(k) catch-ups and HSAs to accelerate long-term wealth building.
Cleburne County's 75.3-year life expectancy ranks among the best in Arkansas and trails the U.S. average of 76.4 by just 1.1 years—an exceptional outcome for a rural county. With only 22.8% reporting poor/fair health, the county demonstrates notably stronger population health than state peers.
Top-tier health outcomes in Arkansas
Cleburne's 75.3-year life expectancy significantly exceeds Arkansas's 72.3-year average by 3 full years, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties. The 22.8% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among this peer group, indicating sustained wellness across the population.
Clear health leader in the region
Cleburne outperforms all neighboring counties on life expectancy—3.5 years ahead of Craighead County (74.4) and 5.5 years ahead of Chicot (69.8). The county's 10.0% uninsured rate mirrors the state average, maintaining broad access to preventive and primary care.
Strong primary care, limited mental health capacity
Cleburne offers 68 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, supporting robust preventive care access. Mental health support lags at 126 providers per 100,000—modest by state standards—yet the county's overall health outcomes suggest residents access care effectively elsewhere or maintain strong community wellness.
Stay covered to maintain Cleburne's health edge
With 90% of residents insured, Cleburne's strong health outcomes reflect good coverage and care access. The 10% uninsured should explore marketplace and Medicaid options to join the majority and maintain access to the county's primary care network.
Cleburne County's composite risk score of 72.71 exceeds the national average significantly, yet still rates as "relatively low" due to its risk distribution across multiple hazard types. Your county confronts genuine exposure to tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, and floods—a complex hazard portfolio. No single catastrophe dominates; instead, multiple moderate-to-high threats demand attention.
Arkansas's Higher-Risk Communities
At 72.71, Cleburne exceeds the state average of 55.51 by 31%, placing it in the upper quarter of Arkansas counties by risk. You face more disaster exposure than roughly three-quarters of your state peers. This elevation reflects both geography and the convergence of multiple hazard pathways through your county.
Riskier Than Most Surrounding Counties
Cleburne's 72.71 substantially exceeds nearby Conway (56.55), Chicot (43.77), and Clark (41.09), making you one of north-central Arkansas's riskier communities. Only Craighead County (91.79) to the north carries greater composite risk in your region. Your neighbors' lower scores underscore Cleburne's elevated hazard exposure.
Tornado, Wildfire, and Earthquake Threats
Tornadoes pose your most acute risk at 88.77, followed closely by wildfires at 75.80 and earthquakes at 86.74—a triple threat few Arkansas counties face. Floods add another dimension at 73.31, creating a complex four-hazard exposure profile. Your preparedness strategy must address all four to be effective.
Comprehensive Coverage Across Multiple Perils
Your 88.77 tornado score demands premium wind and hail protection; your 75.80 wildfire risk requires verified coverage for structure fires from wildland sources. Add earthquake riders for your 86.74 seismic exposure, and confirm flood coverage for your 73.31 flood risk. This multi-layered approach protects your home against Cleburne's diverse hazard landscape.