countyscore
39.9
County Score
Property Tax 68.9Income & Jobs 68.7Weather & Climate 60.8

County Report Card

About Lonoke County, Arkansas

Lonoke lags national livability standards

Lonoke County scores 40.2, placing it below the national median of 50.0 at approximately the 40th percentile. This suburban county faces meaningful challenges that offset its stronger income profile, making it a mixed-value proposition for residents.

Below-average livability within Arkansas

Lonoke ranks below the Arkansas state average of 47.9 with a score of 40.2, placing it in the lower half of the state's 75 counties. Despite higher incomes, the county struggles with affordability and safety metrics that drag down its overall livability.

Higher incomes and health outcomes stand out

Lonoke's income score of 70.0 reflects a median household income of $71,449, the highest among these eight counties and well above state averages. Health outcomes also score reasonably at 46.2, suggesting better access to medical services and preventive care.

Housing affordability crisis and safety concerns

With a median home value of $184,100 and median rent of $961/month, Lonoke's cost score of just 30.6 reflects a severe affordability squeeze. Safety (20.2) and risk (24.9) scores also trail badly, indicating crime and environmental hazards that undermine livability despite higher incomes.

Best for higher-income professionals near Little Rock

Lonoke suits affluent commuters and professionals whose salaries offset rising housing costs and who can afford private schools and security. Families on moderate or fixed incomes should weigh affordability concerns heavily, and those prioritizing safety should explore neighboring counties.

2040608010068.929.920.246.234.368.724.939.860.8Tax68.9Cost29.9Safety20.2Health46.2Schools34.3Income68.7Risk24.9Water39.8Weather60.839.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Lonoke County DNA

Foverall

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

Lonoke County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (68.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (20.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
68.9+16.900000000000006
Cost
29.9-18.1
Safety
20.2-34.8
Health
46.2
Schools
34.3-19.700000000000003
Income
68.7+17.700000000000003
Risk
24.9-22.1
Water
39.8-18.200000000000003
Weather
60.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Lonoke County

Whether buying or refinancing in Lonoke County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$193,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,025/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$193,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,828/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.7

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Lonoke County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lonoke County

via TaxByCounty

Lonoke rates higher than most U.S. counties

At 0.640%, Lonoke County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.90%—wait, that's incorrect. At 0.640%, it remains below the national median, yet its median property tax of $1,178 is substantially higher than the national median of $2,690. Actually, Lonoke's rate places it around the 40th percentile nationally.

Lonoke taxes exceed state average

Lonoke County's 0.640% effective rate ranks above Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, making it one of the pricier counties for property taxes in the state. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,178 annually versus $705 statewide—a 67% premium.

Steepest rate among regional counties

Lonoke's 0.640% effective rate outpaces all nearby counties—it significantly exceeds Madison (0.445%), Little River (0.484%), and Marion County (0.513%). The county's higher median home value ($184,100) also contributes to steeper tax bills.

Median annual property tax reaches $1,178

Lonoke County's median home value of $184,100 combined with its 0.640% rate yields a median property tax of $1,178 per year. Mortgaged properties typically pay $1,298 when escrow is included.

Reassessment challenges pay off in Lonoke

Given Lonoke's higher tax burden, it's especially worthwhile to verify your property's assessed value—overassessments are common and appeal processes are free. A successful challenge could reduce your annual tax obligation by hundreds of dollars.

Income & Jobs in Lonoke County

via IncomeByCounty

Lonoke nearly matches national income

Lonoke County's median household income of $71,449 approaches the national median of $74,755, making it one of Arkansas's strongest-earning counties. At 96% of the U.S. median, Lonoke demonstrates economic vitality that rivals suburban and exurban communities nationwide.

Lonoke leads Arkansas counties

Lonoke County ranks among the top earners in Arkansas, with a median household income 40% above the state average of $51,156. This exceptional standing reflects the county's proximity to Little Rock's economic sphere and its growing population of higher-wage earners.

Clear income advantage over region

Lonoke County's $71,449 significantly exceeds neighboring Logan County ($54,237) and Madison County ($53,888), showing $17,000+ income advantages. This premium reflects Lonoke's position as an emerging commuter-belt county with access to Little Rock's job market.

Housing costs healthy despite home values

Despite median home values of $184,100—the highest in this group—Lonoke's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio remains excellent, indicating strong income relative to housing costs. This balance enables households to afford quality housing while maintaining savings capacity.

Maximize wealth-building opportunities

Lonoke County's above-average incomes and healthy affordability ratios position households to aggressively pursue wealth-building strategies like homeownership, retirement savings, and investment diversification. Work with a financial planner to develop a comprehensive strategy including tax-advantaged retirement accounts and college savings plans.

Safety in Lonoke County

via CrimeByCounty

Lonoke County Secure Against National Trends

Lonoke County boasts a safety score of 96.7, reflecting a total crime rate of 2,076.9 per 100K. This is notably lower than the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

Above Average Safety for Arkansas

The county's safety score of 96.7 beats the state average of 96.3. Eight different reporting agencies work together to monitor and manage public safety across the county.

Consistently Safer Than State Peers

Lonoke's total crime rate of 2,076.9 per 100K is lower than the Arkansas average of 2,326.8. It remains a safer alternative to more urbanized neighbors in the central Arkansas corridor.

Property Crime Dominates Local Reports

Violent crime in Lonoke stands at 401.1 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the state average of 517.8. Property crime represents the majority of incidents at ,1675.8 per 100K.

Home Security Remains a Priority

With property crime being the most common incident type, residents should remain vigilant with home security. Motion-activated lights and visible security cameras are proven deterrents against local property theft.

Weather & Climate in Lonoke County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic southern warmth and high humidity

Lonoke County averages 61.0°F annually, placing it well above the national median temperature. Its 51.9 inches of annual precipitation provides a humid environment typical of the American South.

The exact average of the Natural State

This county sits exactly at the state average of 61.0°F, representing the typical Arkansas climate profile. It serves as a thermal middle ground between the cooler mountains and the hotter southern border.

Consistent heat with moderate rainfall

Lonoke mirrors the statewide average temperature, staying drier than Monroe’s 53.1 inches of rainfall. It experiences 60 days of extreme heat, which is fewer than the 69 days seen in southern Nevada County.

Sixty days of extreme summer heat

Summer averages a warm 79.0°F, including 60 days where thermometers hit or exceed 90°F. Winters are manageable at 42.1°F, seeing only 2.5 inches of snow each year.

Manage humidity and prepare for rain

Homeowners should prioritize humidity control and HVAC maintenance to manage the two-month stretch of 90°F days. The consistent 42.1°F winter means heavy snow gear is rarely needed, but rain gear is essential for the 51.9 inches of annual precipitation.

Soil Quality in Lonoke County

via SoilByCounty

A Foundation for Arkansas Agriculture

Lonoke County's specific soil taxonomic data is currently missing from the central records. Residents generally manage soils that are more acidic than the national median of 6.5, reflecting the broader patterns of the Arkansas landscape.

Defining Your Soil's Physical Structure

Current data does not include exact percentages for sand, silt, and clay in this county. Knowing these ratios is vital for understanding workability, so consider a local soil test to unlock your land's specific potential.

Striving for High Organic Content

While specific organic matter figures are unavailable, the state averages of 4.15% and 0.148 in/in for water capacity serve as useful targets. Improving local soil through composting can help match these high state-wide production standards.

Planning for Local Water Management

Hydrologic groups and drainage classes are not currently specified for this area. Careful observation of local water runoff will help you decide where to place garden beds or plan new construction on your property.

Abundant Growth in Zone 8a

Lonoke County is situated in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, a region known for its agricultural versatility. This climate supports everything from strawberries to soybeans, providing a warm and welcoming environment for any aspiring gardener.

Lawn Care in Lonoke County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating tough conditions in Lonoke County

A lawn difficulty score of 32.5 indicates that this is one of the more challenging areas in the state for turf management. Located in Hardiness Zone 8a, growers must contend with significant environmental pressures to keep grass green.

Standard rainfall meets high heat

Annual precipitation of 51.9 inches is just above the ideal threshold, helping to offset the 60 extreme heat days each year. The 5,074 growing degree days provide a long window for lawn activity, though the lack of specific growing season data requires monitoring local frost dates.

Local soil data requires personal testing

Comprehensive soil data for pH and drainage is not currently available for this specific county. We recommend testing your yard to identify if you are working with the heavy clays or sandy loams common to the Arkansas Delta.

Long-term drought challenges the landscape

The county has spent 30 weeks in drought over the last year, with nearly 70% currently in severe conditions. Implementing water conservation measures like drip irrigation for beds and mulch-mowing for lawns is essential for survival.

Plan around spring and fall frosts

Resilient warm-season grasses are your best bet to survive the prolonged dry periods common here. Your growing window typically opens after April 4 and closes around November 9, giving you plenty of time for establishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lonoke County's county score?
Lonoke County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 39.9 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 Lonoke County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Lonoke County ranks #61 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 Lonoke County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Lonoke County is $1,211, with an effective tax rate of 0.63%. This earns Lonoke County a tax score of 68.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lonoke County?
The median household income in Lonoke County, Arkansas is $72,828 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lonoke County earns an income score of 68.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lonoke County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Lonoke County scores 39.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #61 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Lonoke 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 Lonoke County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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