CountyScore

Crawford County

Arkansas · AR

#50 in Arkansas
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Arkansas

Crawford outpaces national livability median

Crawford County's composite score of 69.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 38th percentile nationally. This means Crawford offers livability advantages that most U.S. counties cannot match, despite being a smaller rural community.

Slightly below Arkansas average

With a score of 69.1, Crawford ranks just below Arkansas's state average of 70.3, positioning it squarely in the middle tier among the state's 75 counties. It performs solidly but faces stiff competition from better-scoring peers.

Tax and housing costs shine brightest

Crawford excels in tax efficiency with a score of 87.3 and an effective tax rate of just 0.532%, while affordable housing (81.9) keeps median rents at $828 and home values at $170,000. The county also boasts a respectable income profile with a median household income of $60,362, significantly above several peer counties.

Income growth and risk management lag

The county's income score of 22.8 reflects modest earnings potential relative to national standards, while a risk score of 28.4 suggests exposure to environmental or economic vulnerabilities worth investigating further. Health outcomes (63.0) are adequate but leave room for improvement.

Best for budget-conscious, tax-aware families

Crawford County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and stable moderate incomes over rapid wealth building. It's an appealing choice for those seeking small-town living with a lean cost of living and tax burden.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.3Cost81.9SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.8Risk28.4WaterComing Soon
🏛87.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Crawford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338
Lucas County
Iowa
69.1
Median income: $67,921

Deep Dives

Crawford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crawford County

via TaxByCounty

Crawford taxes run far below national average

Crawford County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 0.532%, less than one-fifth the national median tax burden when measured as a percentage of home value. The median property tax here is $904 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—putting Crawford in the lowest tier nationally for property tax burden.

Right at Arkansas average

Crawford County's effective tax rate of 0.532% exactly matches the Arkansas state average, meaning the county neither leads nor lags its peers across the state. With a median tax of $904, Crawford sits close to the state median, reflecting typical Arkansas property tax policy.

Mixed results in the region

Crawford's rate of 0.532% puts it slightly higher than neighboring Drew County (0.448%) and Dallas County (0.467%), but lower than Crittenden County (0.602%). Compared to regional peer Faulkner County to the south, Crawford homeowners pay considerably less in absolute dollars ($904 vs. $1,201), reflecting differences in home values and assessment practices.

Median Crawford home costs $904 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $170,000 pays roughly $904 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that tax bill may increase to $975 when additional assessments apply; without one, it drops to $774.

You may be able to appeal your assessment

Across Arkansas, many homeowners discover their properties are overassessed relative to market value, creating opportunities to lower tax bills through formal appeals. If your Crawford County property feels overvalued, a tax assessment challenge could reduce your annual burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford's rent-to-income advantage

At 16.5%, Crawford County's rent-to-income ratio beats the national affordability benchmark—renters here spend less of their income on housing than the typical American household. The county's median household income of $60,362 is below the national median of $74,755, yet rents remain relatively stable at $828 monthly, creating surprising breathing room compared to coastal and metro areas.

Among Arkansas' most affordable

Crawford County ranks above the state average for housing affordability, with a 16.5% rent-to-income ratio compared to Arkansas' 18.1% state average. This places the county in the better half of Arkansas counties, where housing costs remain modest across the board.

Crawford vs. nearby counties

Crawford County's median rent of $828 sits squarely between Faulkner County ($980) to the south and Franklin County ($717) to the north, offering a middle-ground option. Compared to Crittenden County ($883), Crawford delivers slightly lower rents with better income levels, making it a more balanced choice for budget-conscious households.

Where the money goes

Renters spend $828 monthly while homeowners pay $763, a rare scenario where mortgage costs undercut rent—reflecting the county's $170,000 median home value. With median household income at $60,362 annually, housing consumes about 16.5% of renter income, leaving more for utilities, food, and savings.

Consider Crawford for balance

If you're weighing affordability against income, Crawford County offers stable housing costs without requiring a dramatic salary sacrifice. Test your budget: a household earning $60,000 would spend roughly $820 monthly on rent—manageable and realistic for the area.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford earns above state average

Crawford County's median household income of $60,362 sits 18% above Arkansas's state average of $51,156, putting it in a stronger position than most of the state. However, it still trails the national median of $74,755 by $14,393—a gap many families feel when paying for essentials.

Solid middle performer within Arkansas

Among Arkansas's 75 counties, Crawford ranks comfortably in the upper half for household income. Its position reflects a more resilient local economy compared to rural neighbors, driven partly by regional employment centers.

Crawford leads its immediate region

Crawford's $60,362 median income outpaces nearby Franklin County ($51,919) and Cross County ($47,012) by significant margins. This advantage suggests Crawford households have more discretionary income for savings and investment than many surrounding counties.

Housing remains comfortably affordable here

At 16.5%, Crawford's rent-to-income ratio falls well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning most households comfortably cover housing costs. With a median home value of $170,000, homeownership remains accessible for median-earning families in this county.

Build on Crawford's income advantage

Crawford families earning at the median have breathing room to invest in retirement and education accounts. That $14,000+ income gap versus the national median represents real opportunity—use it to automate savings before monthly expenses claim the money.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford life expectancy edges above nation

At 73.2 years, Crawford County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 72.5 years, suggesting better health outcomes than much of America. However, nearly 1 in 4 Crawford residents (23.3%) report poor or fair health, a rate above the national average of about 18%, indicating significant health challenges persist despite the life expectancy edge.

Crawford leads Arkansas on longevity

Crawford County's 73.2-year life expectancy ranks above Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, positioning it among the healthier counties statewide. The 23.3% poor/fair health rate, while elevated, still trails the worst-performing counties in the state.

Healthier than surrounding counties

Crawford's 73.2-year life expectancy outpaces most neighbors: Franklin County matches it at 72.3 years, while Crittenden County lags significantly at 69.2 years. Crawford also boasts 68 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, more than Franklin's 23 but fewer than cross-county outliers.

Uninsured rate aligns with state

Crawford County's 9.3% uninsured rate matches the state average, meaning roughly 1 in 11 residents lack coverage. With 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 68 mental health providers per 100,000, the county has moderate access to both, though primary care availability is about 60% of what leading counties offer.

Check your health insurance options

Nearly 1 in 11 Crawford County residents remain uninsured—but you may have options. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer coverage that could lower your costs and improve your access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford ranks below average nationally

Crawford County scores 71.60 on composite risk, placing it in the Relatively Low category—well below the national average. This means residents face fewer natural hazard threats than most U.S. counties, though wildfire and tornado risks remain noteworthy at 91.06 and 81.39 respectively.

Above the Arkansas average

Crawford's 71.60 composite risk score exceeds Arkansas's state average of 55.51, making it one of the riskier counties in the state despite its national classification. This elevation is driven primarily by exceptionally high wildfire risk and significant tornado exposure.

Riskier than Franklin County nearby

Crawford County's 71.60 score outpaces neighboring Franklin County (49.40) by a substantial margin, mainly due to Crawford's wildfire threat (91.06 vs. 82.54). Both counties share tornado concerns, but Crawford's landscape and vegetation create significantly higher fire danger.

Wildfire and tornado dominate

Wildfire risk at 91.06 is Crawford's paramount threat, reflecting the county's forested terrain and dry conditions. Tornado risk of 81.39 makes severe spring storms a secondary but serious concern for residents and property.

Secure coverage for fire and wind

Crawford residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance that explicitly covers wildfire damage, as standard policies often exclude it. Consider adding wind and hail coverage to address tornado risk, and maintain defensible space around your home by clearing vegetation within 30 feet.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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