CountyScore

Perry County

Arkansas · AR

#5 in Arkansas
75.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Perry County, Arkansas

Strong national standing

Perry County scores 75.4, nearly 51% above the national median of 50.0. This rural county demonstrates livability comparable to top-performing communities across the United States.

Second-best in Arkansas group

Perry County's score of 75.4 ranks it well above the Arkansas average of 70.3, placing it among the state's most livable counties. Only Newton County edges ahead in this eight-county comparison.

Best income and health outcomes

Perry County leads all eight counties with an income score of 22.6 and median household income of $60,078, plus the highest health score (65.3) in the group. These fundamentals enable residents to invest in wellness and build financial security.

Limited data on schools and safety

School and safety scores are unavailable for Perry County, creating gaps in the livability picture. Families should seek additional local data on education quality and crime rates before committing to the area.

Premier choice for family stability

Perry County is the strongest option for families seeking income stability, affordable living, and good health outcomes in rural Arkansas. The higher median income combined with low costs creates genuine opportunity for long-term financial health and quality of life.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.7Cost87.7SafetyComing SoonHealth65.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk72WaterComing Soon
🏛87.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72
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 Perry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Arkansas
75.4
Median income: $44,694
Nemaha County
Kansas
75.4
Median income: $77,375
Jackson Parish
Louisiana
75.4
Median income: $43,345
Grant County
Minnesota
75.4
Median income: $72,957
Chariton County
Missouri
75.4
Median income: $63,307

Deep Dives

Perry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Perry County

via TaxByCounty

Perry County taxes rank in nation's lowest tier

Perry County's effective tax rate of 0.520% and median property tax of $672 remain well below the national median of $2,690. Even with mid-range home values for the region ($129,300 median), Perry County homeowners pay roughly one-quarter the national average in property tax.

Slightly below Arkansas's statewide average

Perry County's 0.520% effective rate trails Arkansas's 0.532% state average by a narrow 0.012 percentage points. The median property tax of $672 falls $33 short of the state's $705 median, positioning Perry County as a moderate-tax county statewide.

Middle tier among Ouachita Mountain counties

Perry County's 0.520% rate sits between Newton County (0.408%) and Pike County (0.559%), making it a middle option in the rural south-central region. It outpaces Phillips County's higher 0.656% rate but trails the lowest-tax counties like Montgomery (0.384%) and Nevada (0.539%).

Median homeowner pays $672 annually

Perry County's median home valued at $129,300 generates approximately $672 in yearly property tax at the 0.520% effective rate. The bill rises to $872 with a mortgage and drops to $536 without one—a predictable and manageable expense.

Review assessments for overvaluation

Perry County homeowners should compare their assessed values to recent local sales to identify potential overassessments. Filing a timely appeal could lower your annual property tax bill and free up resources for other household expenses.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Perry County

via CostByCounty

Perry leads Arkansas on affordability

Perry County residents spend just 14.7% of their income on rent—the lowest ratio among all counties examined and well below the national average. With a median household income of $60,078 and rent at $734 monthly, Perry delivers the strongest affordability profile for renters.

Perry outpaces Arkansas's average

Perry's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% significantly beats Arkansas's 18.1% state average, making it one of the state's most affordable counties. The combination of above-average county income and reasonable rents creates Perry's affordability advantage.

Perry's income advantage shows clearly

Perry's $60,078 median income exceeds all regional neighbors—topping Montgomery ($49,015) by $11,000 and Nevada ($41,761) by $18,000. At $734 rent, Perry residents dedicate a smaller share of their larger paychecks to housing than surrounding counties.

Perry's households breathe easier

Renters pay $734 monthly while homeowners spend $497, with both dedicating roughly 15% of their $60,078 income to housing. This leaves Perry households roughly 3% more of their income for other necessities than the regional average.

Perry: the region's affordability leader

Perry County combines the region's highest median income with solid, below-average rents and the lowest rent-to-income ratio. For relocators seeking genuine affordability alongside earning power, Perry stands out as the region's best value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Perry County

via IncomeByCounty

Perry leads region but lags nation

Perry County's median household income of $60,078 outpaces all its regional peers but still trails the national median of $74,755 by $14,677, or 20%. Perry performs better than most rural Arkansas counties while remaining below national standards.

Above-average income for Arkansas

At $60,078, Perry County ranks in the upper tier of Arkansas counties, $8,922 above the state median of $51,156. Its per capita income of $29,441 also exceeds the state average of $28,096, indicating broader-based household prosperity.

Regional income leader

Perry County's $60,078 significantly outearns all neighboring counties: Pike ($51,000), Montgomery ($49,015), Ouachita ($49,838), and Newton ($47,395). This income advantage positions Perry as the economic stronghold of its region.

Strong housing affordability

Perry's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is the best in the region, providing substantial breathing room for housing budgets. The median home value of $129,300 remains highly accessible to households earning $60,078, supporting both rental and ownership markets.

Perry residents can accelerate wealth building

With the region's highest household income at $60,078, Perry residents have capacity to invest aggressively in retirement accounts, home improvements, and diversified investments. Maximizing 401(k) contributions and exploring real estate investment could substantially accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Perry County

via HealthByCounty

Perry County leads region on life expectancy

Perry County residents live an average of 74.1 years, narrowing but still lagging the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 2 years. However, at 21.8%, its poor/fair health rate is the lowest in this county sample and below the national average of 18%, reflecting genuinely strong health outcomes.

Health leader in Arkansas sample

Perry County's 74.1-year life expectancy ranks highest among these eight Arkansas counties and leads the state average of 72.3 years by 1.8 years. Its 21.8% poor/fair health rate is the best in the group, positioning Perry as a health success story within rural Arkansas.

Regional health champion

Perry County's 74.1-year life expectancy and 21.8% poor/fair health rate are the strongest in its region, outperforming all peers including Newton County (73.6 years). Its 9.1% uninsured rate matches state average, demonstrating that strong health doesn't require exceptional provider density—Perry achieves results through 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents.

Lean staffing, robust health outcomes

Perry County achieves its strong health metrics with just 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the regional average—and limited mental health provider data. This efficiency suggests effective care coordination, strong community health practices, or favorable social determinants driving Perry's exceptional longevity compared to peers.

Maintain your winning health strategy

Perry County residents enjoy some of Arkansas's best health outcomes—keep this advantage by staying insured and engaged with preventive care. Whether your coverage is strong or needs review, visit healthcare.gov to ensure continuous protection and maintain the health habits that make Perry County successful.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Perry County

via RiskByCounty

Perry County maintains low national risk

Perry County scores 28.05, placing it firmly in the Very Low risk category and well below national averages. This favorable position reflects relatively modest exposure to major natural hazards across multiple threat types.

Among Arkansas's safest counties

At 28.05, Perry County ranks among the state's lowest-risk counties, scoring 49% below Arkansas's average of 55.51. This strong safety position reflects the county's relative protection from the state's most significant natural disaster threats.

Slightly higher risk than Newton County

Perry County's 28.05 score ranks it alongside Pike County (26.56) as among the region's safest, though both exceed Newton County's exceptional 18.45 rating. Compared to Ouachita County to the south (51.21), Perry remains significantly less exposed to natural hazards.

Tornado and wildfire warrant attention

Perry County faces tornado risk at 64.25 and wildfire risk at 55.06, representing its two highest hazard exposures. Earthquake (56.52), flood (38.55), and hurricane (34.96) risks remain moderate, with hurricane showing the lowest concern in the county's profile.

Prioritize tornado and wildfire coverage

Perry County residents should ensure comprehensive tornado coverage is included in their homeowners insurance, given the 64.25 tornado risk score. Wildfire insurance should also be reviewed, especially for properties in rural or forested areas of the county.

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.