countyscore
48.3
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 81.4Property Tax 77.3

County Report Card

About Conway County, Arkansas

Conway moderately above national livability

Conway County's composite score of 49.5 sits just below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the solid middle of American counties. Residents experience livability consistent with the typical county nationwide.

Above average for Arkansas overall

Conway scores 49.5, exceeding Arkansas's state average of 47.9, positioning it in the stronger half of the state's counties. The county maintains a modest livability edge within Arkansas.

Excellent water quality and low taxes

Conway earns a strong 86.0 water score, ensuring clean, reliable drinking water for residents. An 83.6 tax score and 0.524% effective tax rate keep the overall tax burden competitive and affordable.

Safety is a critical vulnerability

Conway's safety score of just 6.6 is dangerously low, indicating elevated crime rates or insufficient public security infrastructure. Health outcomes also lag at 29.9, suggesting limited healthcare access or disease burden concerns.

Risky choice despite affordability

Conway appeals to cost-conscious individuals attracted to low taxes and excellent water quality, but prospective residents must carefully investigate crime statistics and neighborhood safety. Families should explore other options with stronger safety profiles.

2040608010077.381.46.629.950.619.843.58657.5Tax77.3Cost81.4Safety6.6Health29.9Schools50.6Income19.8Risk43.5Water86Weather57.548.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Conway County DNA

Foverall

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

Conway County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (81.4/100) but notably weak in Safety (6.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
77.3+25.299999999999997
Cost
81.4+33.400000000000006
Safety
6.6-48.4
Health
29.9-20.1
Schools
50.6
Income
19.8-31.2
Risk
43.5
Water
86+28
Weather
57.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Conway County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$154,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$755/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$154,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,187/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

43.1

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Faulkner County
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40.4
Perry County
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54.7
Pope County
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45.6
Van Buren County
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Yell County
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Pulaski County
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Saline County
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Garland County
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Deep Dives

Conway County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Conway County

via CrimeByCounty

Conway County safety score trails national average

Conway County's safety score is 95.0, reflecting a higher volume of reported incidents. Its total crime rate of 3,166.2 per 100K is significantly above the national average of 2,385.5.

Public safety trends in Conway County

Conway County reports a crime rate of 3,166.2, which is much higher than the Arkansas state average of 2,326.8. Its safety score of 95.0 also misses the state benchmark of 96.3.

Comparing rates with regional neighbors

The crime rate here is nearly identical to Cleburne County's 3,194.7 per 100K. Both counties face higher per-capita crime figures than many of their more rural Arkansas counterparts.

Property crime drives local incident numbers

Property crime is particularly high at 2,665.8 per 100K, well above the national 2,015.7. Violent crime also sits above national averages, reaching 500.4 incidents per 100K residents.

Protecting property in high-activity areas

Given the high property crime rate, homeowners should prioritize theft prevention. Security cameras and community watch efforts can help reduce the frequency of property-related offenses.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Conway County

via WeatherByCounty

Standard Arkansas Climate Profile

Conway County averages 61.1°F, aligning closely with the Arkansas state average but well above the national median. It receives 51.8 inches of rain annually.

Matching the State Baseline

At 61.1°F, Conway is almost exactly on par with the state average of 61.0°F. It represents the quintessential central Arkansas climate profile.

Hotter than Hill Country

Conway experiences 70 days of extreme heat, significantly more than Cleburne's 54 days. However, it receives slightly less rain than the state average.

A Balanced Seasonal Mix

The county faces a hot summer average of 80.1°F and a January low of 39.5°F. Winter brings a modest 3.3 inches of snow on average.

Prepared for Summer Spikes

Residents should prepare for 70 days of temperatures at or above 90°F. Winter gear should be kept ready for the 3.3 inches of annual snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Conway County

via SoilByCounty

Stable Sandy Loam Ultisols

Conway County's fine sandy loam has a pH of 5.77, which is less acidic than the state average but lower than the 6.5 national median. These Ultisols provide a chemically stable environment for many native Arkansas plant species. It is a common soil type for the Arkansas River Valley region.

A Balanced and Tilled Texture

The soil is almost perfectly split between 42.0% sand and 41.0% silt, with a 17.0% clay component. This balance creates a soil that is easy to till while still maintaining enough body to support tall plant structures. It offers a great mix of drainage from the sand and nutrient holding from the silt.

Reliable Water Capacity for Crops

With 1.73% organic matter, the soil is below the state average of 4.15% but close to national levels. Its water capacity of 0.149 in/in aligns almost perfectly with the Arkansas state average. This reliability makes it a solid choice for both home gardens and small-scale agriculture.

Moderate Water Movement for Building

This land is moderately well drained and belongs to Hydrologic Group C. It offers a moderate rate of water transmission, which prevents quick drying but requires attention during heavy storms. This makes it suitable for most construction and farming projects with standard site preparation.

Productive Gardening in Zone 8a

The Zone 8a climate is ideal for growing sweet potatoes, okra, and southern peas. With a soil score of 37.3, this land is ready for you to start a productive backyard vegetable patch. Your sandy loam provides a versatile foundation for a wide variety of heat-loving plants.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Conway County

via LawnByCounty

Strong Growing Potential in Conway

Conway County outperforms the state average with a lawn difficulty score of 41.9. While still more difficult than the national average, Zone 8a residents here enjoy better-than-average Arkansas conditions for maintaining a yard.

Favorable Rainfall and Warm Summers

The county's 51.8 inches of annual rain is very close to the state average and the ideal turf range. You will face 70 extreme heat days, so selecting a grass that can handle consistent summer sun is vital.

Optimizing Fine Sandy Loam

With a pH of 5.77 and a fine sandy loam texture, your soil is close to the ideal conditions for many grass varieties. A light application of lime can bridge the small gap to reach the preferred 6.0 pH level.

Navigating Critical Water Shortages

Despite 19 weeks of drought over the year, 100% of the county is currently under severe drought conditions. Focus on building organic matter in your soil to improve its water-holding capacity during these peaks.

Early November Frost Planning

With 5,141 growing degree days, your lawn has plenty of time to establish after the March 30 frost. Aim to have all sod or seed down well before the first fall frost on November 2.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Conway County's county score?
Conway County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 48.3 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 Conway County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Conway County ranks #38 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 Conway County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Conway County is $862, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Conway County a tax score of 77.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Conway County?
The median household income in Conway County, Arkansas is $54,187 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Conway County earns an income score of 19.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Conway County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Conway County scores 48.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #38 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Conway 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 Conway 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.