CountyScore

Fulton County

Arkansas · AR

#28 in Arkansas
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Fulton County, Arkansas

Fulton County outpaces the nation

With a composite score of 71.5, Fulton County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. This means Fulton residents enjoy livability conditions better than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties.

Slightly ahead of Arkansas average

Fulton's 71.5 score edges above Arkansas's state average of 70.3, ranking it in the upper tier among the state's 75 counties. The county demonstrates solid overall livability relative to its peers.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Fulton excels in tax burden (89.3) and housing costs (89.3), with an effective tax rate of just 0.461% and median home values at $107,200. Renters benefit from remarkably affordable monthly rents of $596, among the lowest in the state.

Income levels need strengthening

The county's income score of 8.8 reflects a median household income of $38,941, well below state and national norms. Health outcomes (58.2) and community risk factors (49.3) also present areas for targeted improvement.

Ideal for retirees and cost-conscious movers

Fulton County suits households prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and rural charm over high incomes. It's particularly appealing to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking a low cost of living in a stable community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.3Cost89.3SafetyComing SoonHealth58.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome8.8Risk49.3WaterComing Soon
🏛89.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼8.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49.3
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 Fulton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $36,723
Cherokee County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $50,769
Bradley County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $39,565
Franklin County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $51,919
Ouachita County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $49,838

Deep Dives

Fulton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fulton County

via TaxByCounty

Fulton's taxes rank low nationally

At 0.461%, Fulton County's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.82%, placing it in roughly the bottom 15% of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is just $494 annually—less than one-fifth of the national median of $2,690. This makes Fulton one of the most tax-friendly counties in the country.

Below average for Arkansas

Fulton's 0.461% effective rate ranks among the lowest in Arkansas, trailing the state average of 0.532% by about 13%. The county's median tax of $494 is 30% below Arkansas's state average of $705, offering homeowners notable savings compared to peers statewide.

Regional tax landscape

Fulton's 0.461% rate is the lowest among surveyed northern Arkansas counties, beating Garland (0.519%) and Grant (0.544%) by a clear margin. This positions Fulton as a tax bargain in its region, especially for retirees and buyers seeking affordability.

What $107K home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $107,200 pays approximately $494 in annual property taxes in Fulton County. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $582 annually—still remarkably low by national and state standards.

Check if you're overassessed

Even in low-tax counties like Fulton, many homeowners overpay due to assessment errors. Consider requesting a property tax assessment review to ensure your home's valuation reflects its actual market value—it could mean real savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fulton County

via CostByCounty

Fulton County rents are well below national burden

At 18.4%, Fulton County's rent-to-income ratio sits just slightly above the national standard of affordability, meaning renters here spend less on housing than their peers across the country. The county's median household income of $38,941 is roughly half the national average of $74,755, yet rents remain modest at $596 per month—$164 cheaper than Arkansas's state average.

Fulton ranks among Arkansas's most affordable counties

With a rent-to-income ratio of 18.4%, Fulton County beats the state average of 18.1% by a narrow margin, placing it in the upper tier of affordability across Arkansas. This strong showing reflects both lower rental prices and a cost-of-living structure aligned with regional norms.

Fulton holds its own among rural peers

Fulton's median rent of $596 undercuts Howard County ($702) and Hot Spring County ($763), making it one of the cheapest places to rent in this cluster of central Arkansas counties. Median home values here ($107,200) also rank lower than most neighbors, appealing to budget-conscious homebuyers.

Housing costs split evenly between rent and ownership

Renters in Fulton County dedicate 18.4% of their $38,941 median income to monthly rent ($596), while homeowners pay $565 per month toward mortgages on properties valued at $107,200. Together, housing consumes roughly one-third of household income for most residents, leaving room for other expenses.

Affordable living awaits in Fulton County

If you're seeking low housing costs and a tight-knit rural community, Fulton County offers some of Arkansas's most affordable rents and home values. Compare these numbers to neighboring counties and you'll find a compelling case for making the move to northwest Arkansas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fulton County

via IncomeByCounty

Fulton trails far behind national income

Fulton County's median household income of $38,941 sits 48% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationwide. This income gap means a typical Fulton household earns roughly $35,800 less annually than the American median, a significant economic challenge for residents building wealth and planning futures.

Lowest earners in Arkansas

Fulton County ranks at the bottom of Arkansas counties, with a median household income 24% below the state average of $51,156. Only a handful of Arkansas counties earn less, making Fulton one of the state's most economically strained communities.

Struggling compared to nearby counties

Neighboring Grant County ($72,512) and Greene County ($56,793) both significantly outpace Fulton's $38,941 median household income. Even Hempstead County, another rural Arkansas county, earns nearly $9,000 more per household annually.

Housing remains affordable refuge

With a rent-to-income ratio of 18.4%, Fulton households spend less than one-fifth of their income on rent—below the 30% affordability threshold. However, the county's low overall income means even affordable housing requires careful budgeting alongside other essential expenses like food, transportation, and healthcare.

Start small, build financial resilience

Fulton residents earning $38,941 can still build wealth through consistent saving and smart financial planning—even small, regular contributions compound over time. Free financial literacy workshops and low-cost investment options through community banks and nonprofits help low-income earners begin retirement planning and emergency savings today.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fulton County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly below the national average

Fulton County residents live to an average of 72.8 years, slightly below the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years. Nearly 28% report poor or fair health, indicating persistent health challenges across the county. These figures suggest Fulton faces meaningful health headwinds compared to the national baseline.

Ranking above the Arkansas average

At 72.8 years, Fulton County's life expectancy outpaces Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, placing it in the healthier half of the state's counties. The county's uninsured rate of 9.3% is also better than the state average of 9.9%, suggesting slightly better healthcare access. This positions Fulton as a relative bright spot within Arkansas.

Mixed performance among nearby counties

Fulton's life expectancy of 72.8 years sits between Garland County (72.1 years) and Greene County (73.5 years), showing moderate health outcomes in the region. However, Fulton lags significantly in primary care provider availability at 41 per 100,000 compared to Garland's 83 per 100,000. Mental health resources are solid at 89 per 100,000 providers, though Greene County offers considerably more at 240 per 100,000.

Healthcare access improving but still stretched

Fulton's 9.3% uninsured rate is among the lowest in its region, but a primary care provider shortage—just 41 per 100,000 residents—means many rely on distant hospitals for routine care. The county's 28.4% poor/fair health rate suggests residents are managing chronic conditions without optimal preventive resources. Mental health services are relatively robust, which helps address the behavioral health crisis affecting many rural Arkansas communities.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among the 9.3% of Fulton County residents without insurance, marketplace plans and Medicaid expansion may be available to you. Visit Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace or call 211 to explore low-cost and no-cost options. Getting covered ensures faster access to those stretched primary care providers and better health outcomes for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fulton County

via RiskByCounty

Fulton County's modest national risk profile

With a composite risk score of 50.67, Fulton County sits below the national average for natural disaster risk. This Relatively Low rating suggests the county faces fewer compound hazards than many U.S. counties, though residents should still prepare for tornado and earthquake events.

Better positioned than most Arkansas counties

Fulton County's risk score of 50.67 is notably lower than Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it in the safer half of the state's 75 counties. This advantage stems from comparatively lower flood and hurricane exposure.

Safest in its regional peer group

Among neighboring counties, Fulton ranks as one of the lower-risk areas, with Grant County (15.71) being the only county in the region with substantially better hazard scores. Compared to Garland County (89.31) and Independence County (69.08), Fulton residents face significantly reduced overall risk.

Earthquakes and tornadoes pose primary threats

Earthquake risk scores highest at 76.34, followed by tornados at 64.76—both well above national averages for a county this size. Flood and wildfire risks remain moderate at 45.64 and 56.04 respectively, but should not be overlooked during severe weather seasons.

Prioritize earthquake and storm coverage

Given Fulton County's elevated earthquake and tornado scores, ensure your homeowner's policy covers wind and hail damage, and strongly consider separate earthquake insurance—a coverage gap many county residents overlook. Regular roof inspections and a reinforced foundation can significantly reduce losses from these hazards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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