Conway County

Arkansas · AR

#37 in Arkansas
70.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Conway County, Arkansas

Conway County exceeds national livability baseline

Conway County's composite score of 70.8 rises 21 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strong showing slightly exceeds Arkansas's state average of 70.3.

Slightly above Arkansas average

With a score of 70.8, Conway County ranks marginally above the state average of 70.3, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Arkansas counties. The county maintains competitive livability across multiple dimensions.

Balanced affordability and tax efficiency

Conway County delivers solid tax scores (87.5) and cost efficiency (86.5), with median home values of $137,000 and median rent of $721/month. The income score (16.8) reflects a median household income of $51,212, making it a reasonably balanced option for working families.

Risk exposure and health outcomes need improvement

Conway County's risk score (43.5) suggests moderate vulnerability to economic or natural disruptions that could affect household stability. Health outcomes (60.3) trail top performers, indicating opportunities to strengthen public health infrastructure and preventive care access.

Solid choice for working families seeking balance

Conway County suits middle-income families earning $50,000–$60,000 seeking a balanced combination of affordability, reasonable taxes, and stable work opportunities. It's an underrated option for those wanting small-town Arkansas living without extreme economic constraints.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.5Cost86.5SafetyComing SoonHealth60.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk43.5WaterComing Soon
🏛87.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
60.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
43.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Conway County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Conway County

via TaxByCounty

Conway's taxes remain far below national norm

Conway County's effective tax rate of 0.524% ranks in the bottom 15% nationally, with a median tax of just $718. This is less than one-quarter the national median property tax of $2,690, reflecting both low rates and modest home values.

Near-average rate for Arkansas

At 0.524%, Conway County's effective rate sits just below the state average of 0.532%, placing it squarely in the middle of Arkansas counties. The median tax bill of $718 slightly exceeds the state median of $705 due to slightly above-average home values.

Mid-range taxes in central Arkansas

Conway County's 0.524% rate falls between the lower end (Clay at 0.521%, Columbia at 0.482%) and higher end (Cleveland at 0.580%, Clark at 0.570%) of regional peers. Median home values of $137,000 reflect a county in transition between rural and developing areas.

Budget approximately $718 annually

A median-priced Conway County home valued at $137,000 generates an estimated annual property tax of $718. Homeowners with mortgages pay $821; those without mortgages pay $662.

Appeal your assessment if it seems high

Many Arkansas property owners in developing counties like Conway find their assessments lag behind fair market value—or exceed it. A free appeal ensures your home is taxed at its true market worth, potentially lowering your yearly bill.

Cost of Living in Conway County

via CostByCounty

Conway County rents remain accessible

Conway County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio sits below Arkansas's state average of 18.1%, placing it among the state's more affordable markets. The median household income of $51,212, though below the national median of $74,755, combines with moderate rents to support stable housing costs.

Conway ranks well for state affordability

Conway County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the state average, positioning it in Arkansas's upper tier for affordability. The $137,000 median home value reflects a reasonable market accessible to working families.

Conway rents balance with state norms

Conway's $721 median rent sits slightly below the state average of $760 and falls between regional peers like Clay ($696) and Cleburne ($853). This middle-ground pricing, combined with solid household income, maintains Conway's competitive position.

Conway renters spend 17% of income

Conway households earning $51,212 annually allocate $721 monthly to rent—approximately 17% of income, maintaining healthy financial flexibility. Homeowners pay $594 monthly, and homes valued at $137,000 provide attainable pathways to ownership for established workers.

Conway suits balanced Arkansas relocators

Conway County offers middle-ground affordability, stable housing values, and accessible market conditions for renters and buyers considering rural Arkansas. If you're comparing Conway to Clay, Cleveland, or Columbia, all rank similarly—Conway edges Clay on home values and balances affordability with development.

Income & Jobs in Conway County

via IncomeByCounty

Conway edges above state average

Conway County's median household income of $51,212 sits 32% below the national median of $74,755 but marginally exceeds Arkansas's state average. The county shows moderate economic stability within a lower-income state.

Slight edge above state midpoint

At $51,212, Conway ranks just 0.1% above Arkansas's state median of $51,156, placing it in the stable middle of the state's 75 counties. The per capita income of $28,521 exceeds state average by 1.5%, indicating relatively balanced earning distribution.

Competitive with peer group

Conway's $51,212 slightly exceeds Cleveland ($50,509) and nearly matches Clark ($50,985), positioning it as upper-middle in the regional income tier. Cleburne ($55,979) and Craighead ($57,615) remain ahead, showing room for improvement.

Rent costs remain below threshold

The 16.9% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 25% affordability ceiling, with median home values of $137,000 providing accessible property markets. Households retain meaningful income flexibility for other priorities.

Steady growth through consistency

Conway households with stable housing costs should commit to regular investment contributions—even 10-15% of household income. Compound growth over decades transforms modest, consistent savings into substantial retirement security.

Health in Conway County

via HealthByCounty

Conway approaches but misses U.S. average

At 73.1 years, Conway County's life expectancy comes closer to the U.S. average of 76.4 than most Arkansas peers, though it still falls 3.3 years short. The 26.7% poor/fair health rate—the highest in this county group—suggests underlying health challenges despite reasonable life expectancy.

Slightly above Arkansas's health average

Conway's 73.1-year life expectancy edges out Arkansas's 72.3-year average by 0.8 years, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. However, the 26.7% poor/fair health rate is concerning and the highest among peers, signaling ongoing wellness gaps.

Life expectancy solid, health perception lags

Conway's 73.1 years ranks above Chicot (69.8), Cleveland (71.5), and Columbia (71.5), but trails Cleburne (75.3) and Craighead (74.4). The 26.7% poor/fair health rate—higher than all peers—suggests residents perceive significant health challenges despite relatively decent life expectancy.

Primary care available, mental health moderate

Conway provides 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 237 mental health providers per 100,000—adequate access for a rural county. The 8.9% uninsured rate is close to state average, though gaps in mental health capacity may limit treatment options.

Insurance opens doors to available providers

With 91.1% of Conway residents covered, most can access the county's primary and mental health services. The 8.9% uninsured should explore marketplace or Medicaid options—especially valuable given the high poor/fair health rate indicating need for ongoing care.

Disaster Risk in Conway County

via RiskByCounty

Conway County: Slightly Above National Average

Conway County's composite risk score of 56.55 marginally exceeds the national average, placing it just above the threshold for most American counties despite still rating "relatively low." Your risk concentrates in tornado and earthquake hazards, while floods and wildfires contribute substantially to your exposure. This mid-range positioning reflects Conway's geographic complexity.

Near the Arkansas State Average

At 56.55, Conway nearly matches Arkansas's state average of 55.51, positioning it in the middle tier of the state's 75 counties. You face roughly average disaster exposure compared to other Arkansas communities. This median standing reflects typical state hazard patterns rather than exceptional vulnerability or protection.

Riskier Than South Arkansas Counties

Conway's 56.55 exceeds neighboring Chicot (43.77), Clark (41.09), and Columbia (42.08) significantly—all south Arkansas communities with 25-35% lower risk. Only Cleburne County at 72.71 and Craighead at 91.79 carry greater risk among nearby counties. Conway occupies the upper-middle range of your region.

Tornado, Earthquake, and Wildfire Exposure

Tornadoes dominate at 82.44, with earthquakes closely behind at 86.93 and wildfires at 74.90—your three principal hazard concerns. Floods at 45.36 add a fourth consideration, though hurricanes remain minimal at 52.73. Your disaster strategy must prioritize these three dominant threats.

Triple Threat Requires Layered Coverage

Your 82.44 tornado score demands excellent wind and hail protection; your 86.93 earthquake exposure requires standalone earthquake coverage as a priority. Wildfire risk at 74.90 necessitates verification that your policy covers structure damage from nearby fires. These three protections directly address Conway's primary hazard portfolio.

ByCounty Network

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