countyscore
52.7
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 82.8Property Tax 78.5

County Report Card

About Johnson County, Arkansas

Johnson moderately above national median

Johnson County's composite score of 52.7 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 2.7 points, placing it slightly above the national average. The county demonstrates broad-based competitiveness across multiple livability dimensions.

A top-tier Arkansas performer

At 52.7, Johnson County exceeds the Arkansas state average of 47.9 by 4.8 points, ranking it among the state's stronger counties. The consistent outperformance reflects balanced strengths across housing, taxes, and community safety.

Tax efficiency and affordability shine

Johnson County combines a tax score of 78.5 with a cost score of 82.8, reflecting an effective tax rate of 0.566% and median home values of $124,800. Water quality (86.0) and school performance (49.3) further support family-oriented living.

Income and health lag behind

The county's income score of 7.1 reflects a median household income of $44,808, limiting economic advancement opportunities for residents. Health outcomes (23.5) and safety conditions (34.4) also trail state and national benchmarks, suggesting room for investment.

Ideal for rural families valuing stability

Johnson County suits families prioritizing affordable homeownership, low taxes, and stable communities over high wages. The county offers a balanced rural lifestyle with reasonable schools and public services, making it a solid choice for working families.

Score breakdown

Tax78.5Cost82.8Safety34.4Health23.5Schools49.3Income7.1Risk41.9Water86Weather64.1
🏛78.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡34.4
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤23.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓49.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡41.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤64.1
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨26.7
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱42.9
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Johnson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Johnson County

via TaxByCounty

Johnson's tax rate beats national median

Johnson County's 0.566% effective property tax rate falls comfortably below the national median of 0.72%, placing it in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Homeowners here enjoy substantially lower property taxes than most Americans.

Johnson County above state average

At 0.566%, Johnson's effective rate exceeds Arkansas's state average of 0.532% by a modest 0.034 percentage points. This positions Johnson in the middle range of Arkansas's 75 counties, neither high nor low relative to state peers.

Johnson matches Jackson's regional rate

Johnson County's 0.566% rate mirrors Jackson County's rate and runs just below Izard's 0.585%, while exceeding Lawrence's 0.488%. Regional property tax rates in north-central Arkansas cluster tightly between 0.49% and 0.63%.

Median home tax bill: $706 annually

On Johnson's median home value of $124,800, homeowners pay approximately $706 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related costs factored in, the annual bill reaches about $834.

Contest inflated assessments and save money

Thousands of Arkansas homeowners pay taxes on overassessed properties without realizing they can appeal for free. Filing a challenge with your county assessor takes minimal effort and frequently results in lower annual tax payments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Johnson County

via CostByCounty

Johnson County straddles national affordability

Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% trails the national average slightly, with median rent of $714 running modest compared to national norms. Median household income of $44,808 represents 60% of the national median, reflecting regional economic conditions but stable affordability relative to peers.

Slightly above state affordability average

At 19.1%, Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio edges above Arkansas's 18.1% state average by a narrow margin, positioning it near the middle of the pack. Median rent of $714 exceeds the state median of $760, but modest incomes keep affordability pressure moderate.

Mid-range rental costs in the region

Johnson County's $714 median rent falls between Izard County's $626 and Jefferson County's $849, reflecting its geographic position in northwest Arkansas. Home values of $124,800 rank among the highest in this group, balancing moderate rental costs with solid homeownership value.

Housing takes steady share of income

Johnson residents earning $44,808 dedicate 19.1% to rent ($714/month) and 16.3% to mortgage costs, totaling 35.4% toward housing annually. This rate leaves reasonable room for other household expenses, though not abundant financial cushion for emergencies.

Johnson offers balanced housing tradeoffs

Johnson County presents a middle-ground option: mid-range rents with higher-than-average home values, ideal for those seeking small-town stability with modest homeownership ambitions. Its position on the state affordability scale makes it a thoughtful choice for relocators seeking equilibrium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Johnson County

via IncomeByCounty

Johnson gaps US median by 40%

Johnson County's median household income of $44,808 sits 40% below the US median of $74,755. Despite this substantial gap, the county earns slightly below Arkansas's state average of $51,156, placing it among the state's lower-income areas.

Lower-ranking Arkansas county

Johnson County ranks in the lower third of Arkansas counties by median household income, falling about $6,350 short of the state average. Its per capita income of $24,865 mirrors state trends, reflecting limited high-wage job opportunities in the county.

Similar to Jackson, below Izard

Johnson's $44,808 income closely matches Jackson County's $41,215 and Lawrence County's $44,164, but trails Izard ($47,728) and Lincoln ($51,667). This clustering suggests Johnson shares economic challenges with neighboring rural counties while lagging slightly ahead counties on Arkansas's eastern edge.

Home values outpace earning power

Johnson's median home value of $124,800 is among the highest in the peer group, yet median income is below-average at $44,808—a notable mismatch. With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.1%, housing remains tight, and homeownership requires substantial down-payment savings for median-income households.

Shift focus from homeowning to saving

Johnson residents should consider renting longer while building investment portfolios, rather than stretching budgets for early homeownership. Directing earnings toward employer retirement plans and automated savings accounts lets compound interest work over decades, potentially outpacing home-equity gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Johnson County

via CrimeByCounty

Johnson County Ranks Among the Safest

Johnson County is a safe haven with a safety score of 97.6, far exceeding the national average. Its total crime rate of 1,523.6 per 100,000 is much lower than the U.S. benchmark of 2,385.5.

Beating the Arkansas State Safety Average

The county ranks highly within Arkansas, beating the state average safety score of 96.3. Its crime rate is also roughly 800 points lower than the state average of 2,326.8.

A Regional Leader in Public Safety

Johnson County maintains a lower crime rate than Lafayette County, demonstrating its status as a regional leader. Three agencies provide consistent data that confirms a positive trend in local safety.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Violent crime is low at 331.7 per 100,000, which beats the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also controlled at 1,191.9, nearly half the national property crime rate.

Help Maintain a Safe Community

While the numbers are encouraging, residents should stay proactive about home safety. Simple habits like locking doors and participating in neighborhood watch programs help keep these rates low.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Johnson County

via HealthByCounty

Johnson aging ahead of nation

At 73.4 years, Johnson County's life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, demonstrating relative population longevity. However, 28.6% report poor or fair health—above the national rate of roughly 18%—suggesting hidden disease burden despite longer average lifespan.

Slightly above Arkansas average

Johnson County's 73.4-year life expectancy edges above the state average of 72.3 years, placing it among Arkansas's better-performing counties. Yet the 28.6% poor/fair health rate ranks higher than many state peers, revealing that longevity masks underlying population health challenges.

Second-longest lifespan in region

Johnson County's 73.4 years trails only Izard County (73.7) in the region, and outpaces all other nearby counties including Lee (68.9) and Lafayette (71.7). With 54 primary care providers and 249 mental health providers per 100K, Johnson offers strong healthcare infrastructure relative to rural peers.

Highest uninsured rate among neighbors

At 11.4% uninsured, Johnson County exceeds the state average of 9.9%, leaving more than 1 in 9 residents without coverage. With 54 primary care and 249 mental health providers per 100K—strong by rural standards—access isn't the primary barrier; enrollment is.

Reduce your family's risk now

Johnson County's 11.4% uninsured rate is the highest in the region, putting more families at financial and health risk than necessary. Contact a local navigator or visit the state marketplace to close coverage gaps before illness strikes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Johnson County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Comprehensive County School Network

Johnson County operates 13 public schools that serve 4,612 students across three districts. The system includes 6 elementary schools and 4 high schools, providing a complete educational path for residents.

High Graduation and Academic Success

The county achieves a 93.5% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than both the state average of 90.3% and the national average of 87.0%. Its composite school score of 53.7 also surpasses the state average of 51.9, reflecting strong local performance.

Spotlight on Clarksville and Lamar

The Clarksville School District is the largest in the county, supporting 2,525 students across 6 schools. Lamar School District serves another 1,284 students, ensuring robust educational access for the county's population centers.

Balanced Rural and Town Environments

Schools in Johnson County are split between 7 rural and 6 town locales, offering a varied feel for students. Lamar Elementary is the largest individual school with 621 students, while the average school size across the county is a manageable 355.

Secure a Home in High-Performing Districts

Families frequently look to the Clarksville and Lamar areas for homes due to the county's high graduation rates. These districts provide a stable environment for investment and a high quality of life for school-aged children.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Johnson County

via RiskByCounty

Johnson stays below state average

Johnson County's composite risk score of 58.14 rates as Relatively Low and sits just slightly above Arkansas's state average of 55.51. The county's risk profile is more balanced than neighbors, with no single hazard reaching extreme levels.

Mid-tier risk among Arkansas counties

Johnson County ranks in the middle range of Arkansas's 75 counties for overall disaster vulnerability. While it experiences elevated wildfire and tornado risks, it avoids the extreme earthquake exposure that plagues eastern counties.

Similar to Izard, safer than Jefferson

Johnson's 58.14 score closely matches Izard County's 53.09, while both rank well below Jackson County's 67.84 and far below Jefferson's dangerous 85.18. The two counties share comparable tornado and earthquake profiles across the region.

Wildfire and tornado risks lead

Johnson County faces wildfire risk at 67.40—among the state's highest—and tornado risk at 78.91. These two hazards drive the county's overall moderate risk profile.

Prioritize wildfire and storm coverage

Wildfire insurance is essential for Johnson County homeowners given the 67.40 risk score, especially if you live near forested areas. Add windstorm coverage to address the 78.91 tornado risk that exceeds most state averages.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Johnson County

via WeatherByCounty

A Mild Climate Above National Averages

Johnson County averages 60.3°F annually, staying notably warmer than the typical United States county. The climate is characterized by four distinct seasons with a heavy emphasis on summer heat.

Consistent with Arkansas Central Averages

The county's 60.3°F annual temperature is just below the Arkansas average of 61.0°F. It experiences typical state weather patterns, including humid summers and moderate precipitation.

Standard Precipitation for the River Valley

Johnson County sees 51.7 inches of annual precipitation, which is just under the state average of 52.4 inches. This rainfall keeps the landscape lush but falls short of the higher totals found in the southern delta.

Scorching Summers and Minimal Snow

The county records 54 days over 90°F annually, while winter snowfall typically totals only 1.9 inches. July is the peak of the heat with an average temperature of 80.8°F.

Equip Your Home for Peak Summer

Sun protection and shade are vital for the 54 days of extreme heat each year. Residents should also prepare for 51.7 inches of rain by ensuring roofs and seals are in good condition.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Johnson County

via SoilByCounty

Strongly Acidic Ultisols

Johnson County features Ultisols with an average pH of 5.38, which is more acidic than the state average of 5.56 and the national 6.5 median. The landscape is dominated by fine sandy loam, a texture that balances physical grit with agricultural utility. This soil profile reflects millions of years of weathering in the Arkansas climate.

Sand-Dominant Loam Mix

Over half of the soil is composed of sand at 52.3%, with 33.3% silt and 14.3% clay. This high sand content ensures the soil is easy to till and warms up quickly in the spring sun. However, it also means nutrients can leach away more easily than in heavier clay-based soils.

Nutrient and Water Management

The organic matter level is 1.90%, falling below the state average of 4.15% but close to the national 2.0% average. Available water capacity stands at 0.132 in/in, which is slightly under the state benchmark of 0.148 in/in. Regular additions of compost can help this sandy soil hold more moisture and nutrients.

Moderately Well Drained Grounds

Soil here is generally moderately well drained and falls into hydrologic group C. This indicates that while water moves through the sandy surface easily, there may be slower-draining layers deeper down. It is a solid middle-ground for gardening and home construction projects.

A Versatile Zone 8a Climate

The Zone 8a climate combined with sandy loam makes Johnson County perfect for root vegetables like carrots and radishes. Peach trees also thrive in these well-aerated soils, which prevent root rot during wet springs. It is time to plant your orchard and watch it flourish in this welcoming environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Johnson County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Lawn Conditions in Johnson County

With a difficulty score of 42.9, Johnson County is one of the easier places in Arkansas to grow a lawn. While still below the national median of 50.0, it outperforms the state average thanks to slightly more manageable climate factors.

Ideal Rainfall for Healthy Grass

The county averages 51.7 inches of rain, hitting the sweet spot for turf hydration without constant saturation. The 54 extreme heat days are lower than the state average of 64, reducing the risk of mid-summer lawn dormancy.

Sandy Loam Provides Excellent Drainage

Local lawns sit on fine sandy loam that is moderately well-drained, which helps prevent root rot during heavy rains. However, the pH of 5.38 is quite acidic, meaning regular lime treatments are necessary to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range.

Resilient Landscapes in Dry Spells

Johnson County has seen only 13 weeks of drought in the past year, far fewer than many neighboring counties. Still, with 25.9% of the area currently in severe drought, mulching clippings back into the lawn is a smart way to retain moisture.

Ready for Spring Planting

Zone 8a supports a variety of grasses, but the sandy soil makes Zoysia a particularly strong candidate. Plan to seed after the last frost on March 25 to give your lawn a full season to establish its root system.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Johnson County's county score?
Johnson County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 52.7 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 Johnson County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Johnson County ranks #21 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 Johnson County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Johnson County is $706, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Johnson County a tax score of 78.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Johnson County?
The median household income in Johnson County, Arkansas is $44,808 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Johnson County earns an income score of 7.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Johnson County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Johnson County scores 52.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #21 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Johnson 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 Johnson County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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