countyscore
55.4
County Score
Cost of Living 91.9Disaster Risk 90.6Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Cleveland County, Arkansas

Cleveland outpaces the national median

Cleveland County's composite score of 53.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking in the upper-middle tier of American counties. Residents benefit from above-average livability compared to the typical county.

A solid performer within Arkansas

Cleveland ranks above Arkansas's state average of 47.9, placing it among the stronger counties statewide. The county's 5.4-point advantage over the state mean reflects a relatively livable community.

Exceptional risk mitigation and affordability

Cleveland's standout 90.6 risk score—the highest in this sample—indicates low environmental, economic, or health risks for residents. The cost score of 89.3 and median home value of $123,400 ensure broad housing accessibility.

Safety and health need strengthening

Safety scores just 18.6, suggesting elevated crime or community security gaps that warrant investigation. Health outcomes are also modest at 27.9, reflecting limited preventive care or chronic disease burden in the community.

Safe haven for budget-minded families

Cleveland County appeals to families and retirees seeking affordable housing and strong environmental protections despite modest safety and health infrastructure. The low-risk environment makes it attractive for those prioritizing stability and affordability over urban amenities.

2040608010085.491.918.627.950.120.990.68650Tax85.4Cost91.9Safety18.6Health27.9Schools50.1Income20.9Risk90.6Water86Weather5055.4/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Cleveland County DNA

Foverall

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

Cleveland County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (91.9/100) but notably weak in Safety (18.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
85.4+33.400000000000006
Cost
91.9+43.900000000000006
Safety
18.6-36.4
Health
27.9-22.1
Schools
50.1
Income
20.9-30.1
Risk
90.6+43.599999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
50
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Cleveland County?

Many homeowners in Cleveland County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$137,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$536/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$137,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$21,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,794/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.3

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 Cleveland County with Harris County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Harris County
Georgia
Median income: $97,302
55.4
Saline County
Illinois
Median income: $53,117
55.4
Wabash County
Illinois
Median income: $57,086
55.4
Scott County
Kansas
Median income: $68,839
55.4
Boyle County
Kentucky
Median income: $61,159
55.4
Clay County
Kentucky
Median income: $40,900
55.4
Graves County
Kentucky
Median income: $50,772
55.4
Todd County
Minnesota
Median income: $67,662
55.4

Nearby counties

Dallas County
Arkansas
56
Grant County
Arkansas
55.7
Jefferson County
Arkansas
33.1
Lincoln County
Arkansas
52.6
Calhoun County
Arkansas
57.6
Drew County
Arkansas
46.6
Bradley County
Arkansas
53.1
Ouachita County
Arkansas
45.5

Deep Dives

Cleveland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cleveland County

via TaxByCounty

Cleveland's taxes far below U.S. average

Cleveland County's effective tax rate of 0.580% sits in the bottom 15% nationally, with a median tax bill of just $716—less than one-quarter the U.S. median of $2,690. Affordable home values of $123,400 further reduce the tax burden for local homeowners.

Above-average rate for Arkansas

At 0.580%, Cleveland County has one of the highest effective tax rates in Arkansas, edging above the state average of 0.532%. The median tax of $716 exceeds the state median of $705, placing it in the upper tier of Arkansas counties for tax burden.

Highest rate among regional counties

Cleveland County's 0.580% rate tops neighboring Clay (0.521%), Chicot (0.546%), and Conway (0.524%), making it the most-taxed in its immediate region. However, its home values remain modest enough to keep absolute tax dollars manageable.

Plan for roughly $716 in annual taxes

A median-priced Cleveland County home valued at $123,400 generates an estimated annual property tax of $716. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $776; without one, it drops to $675.

Don't assume your assessment is fair—appeal

Even though Cleveland ranks higher-tax in its region, individual properties may still be overassessed relative to market value. A free appeal process could reveal overpayments worth hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cleveland County

via IncomeByCounty

Cleveland matches state economics

Cleveland County's median household income of $50,509 sits 32% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting patterns typical of rural Arkansas. The county earns nearly 1% below state average, showing resilience in a challenging regional economy.

Typical earner statewide

At $50,509, Cleveland ranks near the state median of $51,156, placing it firmly in the middle of Arkansas's income distribution. The per capita income of $27,496 falls slightly below state average, suggesting moderate income concentration.

Solid peer-level performance

Cleveland's $50,509 aligns with Conway ($51,212) and slightly exceeds Clark ($50,985) and Clay ($48,500). The consistency across neighboring counties suggests stable, interconnected regional labor markets.

Best-in-class affordability metrics

Cleveland boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among these eight counties at just 15.1%, providing exceptional housing affordability. This advantage creates real opportunity for households to direct income toward savings and asset building.

Capitalize on affordability advantage

With lowest housing costs in the region, Cleveland households should aggressively redirect savings into diversified investments and home equity. The affordability cushion makes Cleveland an attractive place to build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Cleveland County

via CrimeByCounty

Cleveland County remains safer than average

Cleveland County holds a safety score of 96.6, slightly better than many other counties across the United States. Its total crime rate of 2,159.5 per 100K sits below the national average of 2,385.5.

Better than the Arkansas state average

The county's 2,159.5 crime rate is lower than the Arkansas average of 2,326.8 per 100K. This contributes to a safety score that is marginally higher than the state's average score of 96.3.

Mixed results compared to nearby counties

Cleveland County is safer than Columbia County but sees more crime than Chicot County's 1,719.7 rate. It maintains a relatively stable position within the southern Arkansas safety landscape.

Violent crime remains well below average

The violent crime rate is 304.7 per 100K, lower than the national benchmark of 369.8. Most local crime is property-based, occurring at a rate of 1,854.8, which is also below the national average.

Defending against property-related incidents

Since property crime is the primary concern here, residents should focus on securing sheds and outbuildings. Good exterior lighting and locked gates are effective ways to prevent local trespassers.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cleveland County

via WeatherByCounty

Sultry Southern Warmth

Cleveland County is warm and humid with an annual average temperature of 63.1°F. This is nearly 10 degrees warmer than the national median temperature.

Beating the State Average

The county ranks as one of the warmer spots in Arkansas, sitting two degrees above the state average of 61.0°F. The heat profile is consistent with the southern delta region.

Hotter than the State Average

Its 71 extreme heat days are fewer than Clark County's 77 but reflect a very hot local climate. Winter averages 45.3°F, keeping it milder than most of its northern neighbors.

Intense Summer Heat Cycles

Summers are intense with an 80.2°F average and 71 days hitting the 90-degree mark. While specific snowfall data is limited for this area, winters are generally short and mild.

Planning for Extreme Sun

Focus on high-efficiency cooling to manage the 71 days of extreme heat each year. Residents should prepare for a July average of 81.4°F during the peak of summer.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cleveland County

via SoilByCounty

Sharply Acidic Soils in Cleveland

The soil here is quite acidic with a pH of 5.30, which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 5.56. This profile is much sharper than the national 6.5 median, making it naturally suited for native pine and acid-thriving species. While specific taxonomic names aren't provided, the pH suggests highly weathered land.

A Silty and Sandy Mix

A strong 47.0% silt presence is balanced by 40.3% sand and a low 12.7% clay component. This ratio creates a soil that is relatively easy to work but prone to surface erosion if not covered by vegetation. The low clay content means the soil feels gritty and does not stick together easily when wet.

Strong Water Retention Despite Low OM

At 1.52%, the organic matter is well below the state average of 4.15%. However, the soil maintains a water capacity of 0.176 in/in, which exceeds the state average of 0.148 in/in. This capacity gives your plants a vital buffer during the intense heat of the Arkansas summer.

Planning for High Runoff Potential

The land is categorized under Hydrologic Group D, signifying high runoff potential and slow water movement through the soil. While specific drainage classes are unspecified, this group suggests that water tends to pool or flow over the surface. Homeowners should plan for proper drainage around building foundations.

Southern Gems in Zone 8a

Zone 8a offers a long, warm season for southern favorites like camellias, gardenias, and peppers. Enhancing your soil with compost will help overcome the low organic matter and make the most of the high water-holding capacity. Your garden can flourish here with a little attention to the soil's natural acidity.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cleveland County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions in Cleveland County

Cleveland County is one of the more challenging places for lawn care, with a difficulty score of only 23.0. This is significantly harder than the state average of 37.3, requiring Zone 8a residents to be proactive with maintenance.

Intense Heat and Long Seasons

With 71 extreme heat days, your lawn spends much of the summer battling temperatures above 90°F. While local precipitation data is limited, the 5,591 growing degree days indicate a very long and active season for turf growth.

Correcting Very Acidic Soils

A soil pH of 5.30 is quite low, potentially locking out essential nutrients from your grass. With 40.3% sand, the soil provides decent drainage but may struggle to hold onto the moisture your lawn needs during hot spells.

Managing Sustained Drought Stress

The county has spent 31 weeks in drought over the last year, with 87.2% of the area currently facing severe conditions. Using moisture-retentive compost and keeping grass height higher during summer can help protect the soil from drying out.

Maximize the Long Growing Season

A March 17 spring frost date allows for an early start on warm-season grasses like Bermuda. These varieties are best suited for the long season that doesn't see a frost until mid-November.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cleveland County's county score?
Cleveland County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 55.4 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 Cleveland County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Cleveland County ranks #15 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 Cleveland County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Cleveland County is $667, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Cleveland County a tax score of 85.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cleveland County?
The median household income in Cleveland County, Arkansas is $54,794 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cleveland County earns an income score of 20.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cleveland County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Cleveland County scores 55.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #15 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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.