CountyScore

Nevada County

Arkansas · AR

#21 in Arkansas
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Nevada County, Arkansas

44% better than national baseline

Nevada County's composite score of 72.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper percentile of U.S. counties. This rural Arkansas county demonstrates livability well above typical American standards.

Slightly above state average

At 72.0, Nevada County scores modestly above Arkansas's state average of 70.3, ranking it among the middle-to-upper tier of Arkansas counties. The county holds its own in a competitive state landscape.

Affordable living across the board

Nevada County delivers outstanding affordability with a cost score of 84.8, a tax score of 87.1, and median home values of just $85,700. These ultra-low housing costs make the county accessible to first-time homebuyers and those on limited incomes.

Income levels constrain economic prospects

The county's income score of 10.7 reflects a median household income of $41,761, among the lowest in the state and significantly below national averages. Limited income growth potential may challenge families seeking to build wealth or support larger households.

Perfect for minimalist, affordable living

Nevada County is ideal for retirees living on Social Security, remote workers with stable outside income, or anyone seeking the lowest possible cost of living. The trade-off is limited local earning opportunities, making it best for those with income security from elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost84.8SafetyComing SoonHealth61.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.7Risk69.5WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69.5
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 Nevada County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723
Dubois County
Indiana
72
Median income: $71,918

Deep Dives

Nevada County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nevada County

via TaxByCounty

Nevada County taxes far below U.S. average

Nevada County's effective tax rate of 0.539% results in a median property tax of $462, roughly one-sixth of the national median of $2,690. Even with lower home values ($85,700 median), Nevada County homeowners enjoy one of the country's lowest tax burdens.

Slightly above Arkansas average rate

Nevada County's 0.539% effective rate edges just above Arkansas's 0.532% statewide average, yet its median tax of $462 runs $243 below the state's $705 median due to lower property values. This makes Nevada County competitive on absolute tax dollars paid, despite a marginally higher rate.

Mid-range taxes in south Arkansas

Nevada County's 0.539% rate sits between Ouachita County (0.502%) to the north and Phillips County (0.656%) to the east. Among small, rural southern Arkansas counties, Nevada offers moderate tax exposure.

Lowest median tax among all eight counties

Nevada County's median home value of $85,700 paired with its 0.539% rate yields just $462 in annual property tax—the lowest median in this eight-county group. Residents without a mortgage pay around $484; those with one pay $396, reflecting the county's affordable housing stock.

Homeowners should verify assessments

Despite Nevada County's low overall tax rates, individual overassessments remain possible and worth challenging. A property tax appeal could free up hundreds in annual savings if your assessed value doesn't match current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nevada County

via CostByCounty

Nevada's affordability crisis looms

Nevada County residents spend 24.2% of their income on rent—a full 6 percentage points above the national average and well above the state's 18.1%. With a median household income of just $41,761 (44% below the U.S. average), Nevada faces a genuine affordability squeeze.

Among Arkansas's least affordable

Nevada ranks among the worst for housing affordability in Arkansas, with a rent-to-income ratio of 24.2% versus the state average of 18.1%. At $841 monthly rent on a median income below $42,000, Nevada residents struggle harder than most Arkansans to afford housing.

Nevada's housing costs exceed peers

Nevada's $841 rent is the highest among its neighbors—exceeding Phillips ($756), Montgomery ($734), and Ouachita ($714). Combined with the county's lowest median income in the region ($41,761), Nevada creates a particularly tight affordability challenge.

Nevada's housing burden by the numbers

Renters spend $841 monthly while homeowners pay $554, but both groups dedicate roughly a quarter of their $41,761 income to housing costs. This leaves limited room for healthcare, food, transportation, and savings—a structural affordability problem.

Nevada: approach with caution on income

Nevada's low rents ($841) attract budget-conscious movers, but the county's lowest median income in the region means housing still commands an outsized share of household budgets. Consider Nevada only if you have stable, above-average income or remote work flexibility.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nevada County

via IncomeByCounty

Nevada faces significant income challenge

Nevada County's median household income of $41,761 lags the national median of $74,755 by $32,994, or 44%—placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationwide. This substantial gap reflects economic headwinds common in rural south-central Arkansas.

Below Arkansas average by $9,000

Nevada ranks among Arkansas's lowest-income counties at $41,761, roughly $9,400 below the state median of $51,156. The per capita income of $23,002 also trails the state average of $28,096, indicating systemic income constraints.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Nevada's $41,761 is the second-lowest in its region, above only Phillips County ($38,874) but significantly below Montgomery ($49,015) and Newton County ($47,395). The county faces steeper economic headwinds than most neighboring areas.

Housing costs strain budgets

Nevada's rent-to-income ratio of 24.2% approaches the affordability ceiling, meaning renters spend nearly a quarter of earnings on housing alone. The median home value of $85,700 is relatively low, but still represents a significant burden for households earning under $42,000 annually.

Stretch small earnings further

Nevada residents must prioritize budgeting and avoid high-interest debt to build wealth on limited incomes. Even modest contributions to employer 401(k) plans or emergency savings accounts create financial buffers and reduce vulnerability to economic shocks.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Nevada County

via HealthByCounty

Nevada County's life expectancy near national average

At 72.7 years, Nevada County's life expectancy is slightly below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, though better than many Arkansas counties. However, 27.1% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national average of 18%—suggesting chronic disease and preventable illness remain serious concerns.

Slightly above Arkansas health average

Nevada County's life expectancy of 72.7 years edges ahead of Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, placing it in the middle tier of state performance. Despite this, the county's poor/fair health rate of 27.1% exceeds state norms and ranks among Arkansas's more challenged counties for perceived health status.

Mixed health profile vs regional peers

Nevada County's life expectancy of 72.7 years surpasses Montgomery County (71.9 years) but trails Perry County (74.1 years) and Newton County (73.6 years). Its uninsured rate of 7.4% is among the region's lowest, though the county's 27.1% poor/fair health rate remains a concern despite good insurance coverage.

Mental health strength, primary care gap

Nevada County excels with 86 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—well above the region and addressing a critical need. However, 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents remain limited, and with 7.4% uninsured, many residents can access care but may struggle to find available appointments.

Strengthen your health coverage

Nevada County's strong mental health infrastructure makes it a good place to seek integrated care; check your current plan's coverage for therapy and counseling. If uninsured or underinsured, visit healthcare.gov to compare plans and explore Arkansas Medicaid expansion options that can help you access the full range of services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nevada County

via RiskByCounty

Nevada County sits well below national risk

Nevada County's composite risk score of 30.57 places it in the Very Low category, roughly 45% below the national average. This low score reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards affecting American counties.

Among Arkansas's safest counties

Nevada County's 30.57 score ranks it among the state's lowest-risk regions, falling 45% below Arkansas's average of 55.51. This strong position reflects the county's relative protection from the state's most significant natural hazards.

Lower risk than nearby Ouachita County

Nevada County's 30.57 score contrasts sharply with Ouachita County's higher 51.21 rating just to the north. This significant difference highlights how natural disaster exposure can vary notably across neighboring counties in the region.

Earthquake and hurricane concerns stand out

Nevada County faces elevated earthquake risk at 57.12 and hurricane risk at 56.95, both notably higher than its wildfire (29.48) and flood risks (24.01). Tornado risk at 47.30 remains moderate across the county.

Prioritize earthquake and storm coverage

Nevada County residents should ensure earthquake coverage supplements their standard homeowners policy, given the county's 57.12 earthquake risk score. Hurricane and flood insurance should also be reviewed to address these secondary but notable hazards in the area.

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.