Columbia County solidly above national livability median
Columbia County's composite score of 72.6 sits 23 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it among strong American counties. The score exceeds Arkansas's state average of 70.3, signaling above-average livability conditions.
2 / 5
Above-average livability for Arkansas
Columbia County ranks above the state median with a score of 72.6 against Arkansas's 70.3 average. The county stands among the stronger performers in the state's competitive landscape.
3 / 5
Exceptional tax efficiency and rental affordability
Columbia County boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate (0.482%) and excellent cost efficiency (87.0), with rock-bottom median gross rent of just $631/month. This combination makes it exceptionally appealing to renters and tax-conscious households seeking maximum purchasing power.
4 / 5
Income and community risk require attention
The median household income of $47,363 produces a low income score (14.3), limiting wealth accumulation potential for families. Risk resilience (57.9) also trails stronger performers, suggesting moderate vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks.
5 / 5
Excellent choice for renters and retirees
Columbia County excels for renters, retirees on fixed incomes, and remote workers seeking ultra-low housing costs paired with efficient taxes. The strong tax score and minimal rental burden make it ideal for those prioritizing cash-flow flexibility over salary growth.
Columbia County solidly above national livability median
Columbia County's composite score of 72.6 sits 23 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it among strong American counties. The score exceeds Arkansas's state average of 70.3, signaling above-average livability conditions.
Above-average livability for Arkansas
Columbia County ranks above the state median with a score of 72.6 against Arkansas's 70.3 average. The county stands among the stronger performers in the state's competitive landscape.
Exceptional tax efficiency and rental affordability
Columbia County boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate (0.482%) and excellent cost efficiency (87.0), with rock-bottom median gross rent of just $631/month. This combination makes it exceptionally appealing to renters and tax-conscious households seeking maximum purchasing power.
Income and community risk require attention
The median household income of $47,363 produces a low income score (14.3), limiting wealth accumulation potential for families. Risk resilience (57.9) also trails stronger performers, suggesting moderate vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks.
Excellent choice for renters and retirees
Columbia County excels for renters, retirees on fixed incomes, and remote workers seeking ultra-low housing costs paired with efficient taxes. The strong tax score and minimal rental burden make it ideal for those prioritizing cash-flow flexibility over salary growth.
Score breakdown
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🏛88.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Columbia County's effective tax rate of 0.482% places it in the bottom 12% nationally, with a median tax burden of just $683. This is less than one-quarter the national median of $2,690, offering exceptional affordability for homeowners.
Below-average Arkansas rate
At 0.482%, Columbia County's effective rate falls noticeably below the state average of 0.532%, ranking among Arkansas's lowest-tax counties. The median tax of $683 sits just below the state median of $705 despite reasonable home values.
Competitive with Clay and Chicot counties
Columbia County's 0.482% rate is the second-lowest in its region, below Chicot (0.546%) but comparable to Clay (0.521%). Median home values of $141,700 sit slightly higher than immediate neighbors, but the low rate keeps tax bills in line.
Median annual tax: $683
A Columbia County home valued at the median $141,700 incurs an estimated annual property tax of $683. Homeowners with mortgages face $893 annually; those without mortgages pay $518.
Review your assessment—overvaluation is common
Low tax rates don't protect against individual property overassessments, which can inflate bills year after year. A free appeal through the county assessor's office is the fastest way to verify your home's fair market value.
Columbia County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio falls comfortably below Arkansas's state average of 18.1%, indicating solid affordability. The median household income of $47,363 reflects local economic conditions, but housing costs remain accessible relative to earnings.
Columbia ranks above-average statewide
Columbia County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio places it well above the state average for affordability, making it an attractive market in Arkansas. The $141,700 median home value suggests a balanced housing market with stable appreciation potential.
Columbia rents remain region's lowest
At $631 monthly, Columbia's median rent is among the lowest in its area—undercutting the state average of $760 and nearby Chicot ($661). This affordability advantage stems partly from Columbia's rural character and lower demand relative to more developed regions.
Columbia allocates 16% to rent
Columbia households earning $47,363 spend $631 monthly on rent—about 16% of income, well-balanced and sustainable. Owner costs average $671 monthly, slightly higher than regional peers, but the $141,700 home value offers reasonable purchase options for long-term residents.
Columbia offers balanced rural living
Columbia County combines low rents, affordable homes, and reasonable affordability ratios for relocators seeking quiet, rural Arkansas life. If you're weighing options between Columbia, Cleveland, and Clay counties, all three offer strong affordability—Columbia edges ahead on home values and owner-cost balance.
Columbia County's median household income of $47,363 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by 37% and falls 7% below Arkansas's state average. The county represents the economic challenges facing rural agricultural regions nationwide.
Lower-middle tier in Arkansas
At $47,363, Columbia ranks in the lower quartile statewide, well below the state median of $51,156. The per capita income of $25,947 trails the state average by 8%, suggesting income concentration among fewer earners.
Trailing most peer communities
Columbia's $47,363 ranks second-lowest among these eight counties, exceeding only Chicot's $39,683. Neighboring Cleburne ($55,979) and Craighead ($57,615) earn $8,600-$10,600 more per household, highlighting relative economic disadvantage.
Rents align with limited incomes
At 16%, Columbia's rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, but the low base income leaves little margin for error. Unexpected expenses quickly strain household budgets with limited cushioning capacity.
Build resilience through micro-saving
Columbia households should prioritize building small emergency reserves—even $25-50 monthly—to absorb shocks. Community savings circles and employer-matched retirement plans offer low-cost entry points to wealth building.
Columbia County's 71.5-year life expectancy falls 4.9 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, consistent with rural Arkansas disparities. The county's 23.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17%, though it ranks better than several neighboring counties.
Slightly below Arkansas average overall
At 71.5 years, Columbia's life expectancy lags Arkansas's 72.3-year average by 0.8 years, placing it in the state's lower-middle tier. The 23.8% poor/fair health rate is better than state and county averages, suggesting pockets of health resilience.
Mixed results against regional peers
Columbia matches Cleveland County at 71.5 years but trails Cleburne (75.3), Craighead (74.4), and Conway (73.1) counties. The 8.8% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 9.9%, indicating solid coverage relative to peers.
Moderate primary and mental health capacity
Columbia offers 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—solid for a rural county—and 203 mental health providers per 100,000. The 8.8% uninsured rate means most residents can access these services without major cost barriers.
Coverage supports access to local care
Columbia's good insurance rate (91.2%) enables use of the county's primary care infrastructure. The 8.8% without coverage should check marketplace plans or Medicaid to ensure continuous access to the providers available locally.
Columbia County's composite risk score of 42.08 places it solidly in the "very low" category—approximately 24% safer than the average American county. Your hazard exposure distributes evenly across categories, with no single catastrophic threat dominating. This balanced, manageable risk profile reflects Columbia's fortunate geographic position.
Safer Than Most Arkansas Peers
At 42.08, Columbia ranks well below the Arkansas state average of 55.51—a 24% safety advantage over your state peers. You rank in the lower third of Arkansas counties by risk, reflecting consistent protection across multiple hazard types. This standing positions Columbia as one of the state's genuinely safer communities.
Competitive With South Arkansas Peers
Columbia's 42.08 sits between Chicot County (43.77) and Clark County (41.09), forming a trio of south Arkansas's safest communities. All three counties cluster well below the state average, suggesting regional geographic advantages. Your neighbors face similar manageable risk levels, making the area collectively secure.
Tornado and Hurricane Concerns
Tornadoes present your highest localized risk at 62.50, while hurricanes reach 61.03—your twin most concerning hazards despite overall low county risk. Earthquakes at 71.44 add a secondary consideration, though floods and wildfires remain minimal at 24.59 and 31.81 respectively. Focus your preparedness on tornado sheltering and hurricane planning.
Tornado and Hurricane Coverage Essential
Your 62.50 tornado risk and 61.03 hurricane exposure demand strong wind and hail riders on your homeowner's policy. Earthquake coverage at 71.44 warrants consideration as an affordable add-on to cover your third-highest hazard. Standard flood insurance remains optional given your low 24.59 flood score.