countyscore
37.8
County Score
Cost of Living 82.1Property Tax 67.8Weather & Climate 50.9

County Report Card

About Phillips County, Arkansas

Significant gap below national livability

Phillips County's composite score of 37.8 falls 24% below the national median of 50.0, placing it among the lower-performing counties nationally. This substantial gap signals meaningful livability challenges across multiple dimensions.

One of Arkansas's lowest-scoring counties

At 37.8, Phillips County ranks 21% below Arkansas's state average of 47.9, making it one of the state's most challenged counties. The gap reflects systemic issues in economy, safety, and community infrastructure.

Limited strengths, affordability primary asset

Phillips County's cost score of 82.1 delivers affordable housing with median home values of $76,200 and monthly rents of $756. This affordability is the primary bright spot in an otherwise difficult livability profile.

Economy, safety, and schools all struggling

The county faces severe headwinds: income score of 2.3 with median household income of just $38,874, safety score of 9.3 reflecting high crime, school score of 19.2 indicating educational system challenges, and health score of 19.6 suggesting limited healthcare access. The effective tax rate of 0.656% is also the highest in this group.

Only for those with minimal alternatives

Phillips County is suitable primarily for retirees with fixed incomes living on extremely limited budgets and those with strong family or community ties. The combination of very low incomes, high crime, and underperforming schools makes it a challenging choice for families or those seeking career growth.

Score breakdown

Tax67.8Cost82.1Safety9.3Health19.6Schools19.2Income2.3Risk38.3Water12.5Weather50.9
🏛67.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼2.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡9.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤19.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓19.2
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡38.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧12.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤50.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨50.4
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱38.1
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 →
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Phillips County?

Many homeowners in Phillips County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Phillips County with Carson City →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Carson City
Nevada
Median income: $71,809
37.8
Craven County
North Carolina
Median income: $64,635
37.8
Richland County
Ohio
Median income: $57,649
37.8
Mayes County
Oklahoma
Median income: $57,279
37.8
Malheur County
Oregon
Median income: $49,902
37.8
Martin County
Texas
Median income: $77,083
37.8
Yuba County
California
Median income: $73,313
37.7
Ben Hill County
Georgia
Median income: $39,081
37.7

Nearby counties

Coahoma County
Mississippi
44.8
Lee County
Arkansas
42.1
Quitman County
Mississippi
58.2
Monroe County
Arkansas
49.1
Tunica County
Mississippi
36.4
Arkansas County
Arkansas
37.4
Bolivar County
Mississippi
33.3
Desha County
Arkansas
47.4

Deep Dives

Phillips County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Phillips County

via TaxByCounty

Phillips County has region's highest tax rate

Phillips County's effective tax rate of 0.656% is the highest among the eight counties studied and still remains well below the national median property tax burden. With a median home value of $76,200, residents pay $500 in median annual property tax—about one-fifth the national median of $2,690.

Above-average rate for Arkansas

Phillips County's 0.656% effective rate is 0.124 percentage points above Arkansas's 0.532% state average—the steepest in this eight-county sample. Despite the higher rate, the median property tax of $500 remains $205 below the state median of $705 due to lower home values.

Highest tax rate in the eight-county group

Phillips County's 0.656% rate exceeds all seven comparison counties, including Pike County (0.559%), Nevada County (0.539%), and Perry County (0.520%). This higher burden reflects Phillips County's distinct assessment practices compared to the Ouachita Mountain and southwestern Arkansas peers.

Median homeowner pays $500 yearly

Phillips County's median home valued at $76,200 combined with the 0.656% rate produces a median property tax of $500 annually. With a mortgage, residents pay roughly $970; without, about $375—reflecting the county's historically affordable but fully valued real estate.

Strong case for assessment review

Given Phillips County's higher-than-average effective rate, homeowners should carefully review their assessments against recent arm's-length sales. An appeal could generate meaningful savings, especially if your property was assessed before recent market downturns.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Phillips County

via CostByCounty

Phillips struggles with affordability

Phillips County residents spend 23.3% of their income on rent—significantly above both the national average and Arkansas's 18.1% state average. On a median household income of just $38,874 (48% below the U.S. average), Phillips faces acute affordability pressure.

Phillips among Arkansas's least affordable

Phillips ranks among the state's least affordable counties, with a 23.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the Arkansas average by 5 percentage points. The county's $756 monthly rent consumes a quarter of household income, creating genuine hardship for many residents.

Phillips rents high for the region

Phillips's $756 rent trails only Nevada ($841) regionally, yet ranks second-lowest in median income at $38,874. This combination—high rents paired with the region's lowest incomes except Nevada—creates Phillips's affordability challenge.

Phillips's housing burden by income

Renters spend $756 monthly while homeowners pay $550, with both groups dedicating roughly 23% of their $38,874 income to housing. This burden leaves limited resources for healthcare, food, transportation, and unexpected expenses—a sustainability concern.

Phillips: only for flexible-income relocators

Phillips offers below-average home values ($76,200) and moderate rents, but the county's lowest median income makes housing costs proportionally painful. Consider Phillips only if you have remote work income or above-county-average earnings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Phillips County

via IncomeByCounty

Phillips faces critical income gap

Phillips County's median household income of $38,874 falls $35,881 short of the national median of $74,755—a 48% gap representing one of the largest disparities in the nation. This reflects deeply rooted economic challenges in this historically agricultural region.

Lowest income in sample

Phillips ranks among Arkansas's lowest-income counties at $38,874, approximately $12,282 below the state median of $51,156. Per capita income of $22,360 is notably below the state average of $28,096, indicating limited earning opportunities.

Region's most economically challenged

Phillips's $38,874 is the lowest in the region, followed only by Nevada County ($41,761), and substantially trails all other peers. The county faces the steepest economic headwinds of any area analyzed.

Housing costs create strain

Phillips's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability ceiling, with renters spending nearly a quarter of earnings on housing alone. The median home value of $76,200 is the region's lowest, but remains burdensome for households earning below $39,000 annually.

Focus on economic opportunity

Phillips residents must prioritize career advancement and skills training to increase earnings and break free from limited income cycles. Building even modest emergency savings—starting with $25-50 monthly—creates essential financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Phillips County

via CrimeByCounty

Phillips County Safety Trends Below National Norms

With a total crime rate of 2,858.4 per 100K, Phillips County exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. The county's safety score is 95.5, reflecting higher levels of reported criminal activity.

A Challenging Public Safety Environment

Phillips County's safety score of 95.5 is below the state average of 96.3. This highlights a need for increased safety measures compared to other counties across Arkansas.

Phillips Crime Rates in the Delta Region

While the crime rate of 2,858.4 is high, it is still lower than Poinsett County's 3,252.6. Four reporting agencies are actively working to manage these regional crime pressures.

High Violent Crime Concentration

Violent crime is a significant concern at 928.4 per 100K, nearly triple the national average. Property crime also sits high at 1,930.0, though it is slightly below the national property crime rate.

Prioritizing Personal and Property Safety

Due to high violent crime rates, residents should stay informed about local incidents and consider advanced home security. Collaborative neighborhood watch programs are effective tools for deterring crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Phillips County

via HealthByCounty

Phillips County faces severe health crisis

At 67.4 years, Phillips County has the lowest life expectancy in this sample—nearly 9 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. One in three residents (33.3%) report poor or fair health, the highest rate among these counties and far exceeding the national average of 18%.

Arkansas's most challenged county here

Phillips County's 67.4-year life expectancy is the lowest in Arkansas among these counties and trails the state average of 72.3 years by nearly 5 years. With 33.3% of residents in poor or fair health—the highest in this group—Phillips County represents a public health emergency requiring urgent intervention.

Stark health disparities vs region

Phillips County's life expectancy (67.4 years) lags every regional peer by at least 4 years, with Perry County residents living 6.7 years longer. Despite 63 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than most peers—Phillips County's health crisis persists, suggesting provider supply alone cannot address the county's severe underlying challenges.

Provider access inadequate for crisis

Phillips County has 63 primary care providers and 74 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, yet remains the region's health crisis epicenter. With 8.7% uninsured, most residents can theoretically access care, but persistent poor health indicates barriers to effective treatment—potentially including poverty, food insecurity, or limited mental health support for severe conditions.

Urgent: secure your health coverage

Phillips County residents face extraordinary health challenges; coverage is the first step toward care access and better outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov immediately to enroll in available plans, explore Arkansas Medicaid, and connect with community health centers that offer sliding-scale care and wraparound social services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Phillips County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Diverse and Evolving School Landscape

Phillips County manages nine public schools across four districts, educating a total of 2,849 students. The system includes four elementary schools, one middle school, and four high schools, reflecting a comprehensive educational reach. This variety provides families with several different pathways for their children's development.

Focusing on Academic Growth and Opportunity

The county currently sees a graduation rate of 84.7%, which sits below the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending is $6,046, slightly lower than the Arkansas state average of $6,160. With a composite school score of 48.7, local educators are working hard to enhance performance through diverse school models and district initiatives.

A Hub for Charter and Public Options

Charter schools play a major role here, with KIPP Delta Public Schools operating five campuses and representing 33.3% of the county's schools. KIPP Delta serves 1,224 students, while the Helena/W. Helena School District supports 1,012 students. This mix of charter and traditional schools offers parents significant choice in their children's education.

A Blend of Town Centers and Rural Roots

Education in Phillips County is split between five rural schools and four town-based campuses, providing different community atmospheres. The average school size is 317 students, with J.F. Wahl Elementary being the largest at 519 students. Barton High School represents the more intimate end of the spectrum with 323 students.

Choose Your Educational Path in Phillips County

Phillips County is unique for its high concentration of charter school options, providing diverse choices for home buyers. Whether you prefer a traditional district or a charter model like KIPP Delta, there is a school and a home for you here. Start exploring neighborhoods in Helena or Barton to see what this community has to offer.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Phillips County

via RiskByCounty

Phillips County faces above-average national risk

Phillips County scores 61.67, placing it in the Relatively Low category but above the national average for composite risk. This elevation reflects significant exposure to tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricane impacts.

Higher-risk county in Arkansas

At 61.67, Phillips County ranks above Arkansas's average of 55.51, positioning it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county's profile is driven primarily by extreme earthquake risk and notably elevated tornado exposure.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Phillips County's 61.67 score exceeds nearby Poinsett County (72.52) only slightly, and both stand well above neighboring Ouachita County (51.21). Phillips represents a notable risk concentration in the eastern part of the state.

Earthquake and tornado threats are extreme

Phillips County faces extreme earthquake risk at 92.65 and severe tornado risk at 78.18, making these the county's dominant natural hazard concerns. Hurricane risk at 58.11 and flood risk at 46.15 also exceed state averages, though earthquakes and tornadoes pose the greatest threats.

Earthquake and tornado insurance critical

Phillips County residents must prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's extreme 92.65 risk score, and tornado coverage is equally essential at 78.18. Flood and hurricane insurance should also be maintained to address the county's comprehensive hazard exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Phillips County

via WeatherByCounty

Delta Heat and High Humidity

Phillips County averages 62.2°F annually, placing it well above the national median of 54°F. Located in the Delta, the county experiences the full intensity of the southern humid subtropical zone.

Typical of the Warm Delta

The county's average temperature of 62.2°F sits above the Arkansas state average of 61.0°F. It is consistently warmer and more humid than the upland counties in the Ozarks.

Drier than the State Average

While Arkansas averages 52.4 inches of rain, Phillips County is slightly drier with 49.7 inches annually. It shares a similar heat profile with Ouachita County, recording 77 days of extreme heat each year.

A Nearly Snowless Winter

Phillips County experiences almost no snow, averaging just 0.3 inches per year. July is sweltering with an average of 81.6°F, while January stays relatively warm at 40.7°F.

Prepare for Long Summer Seasons

Residents should focus on humidity control in homes to prevent mold during the 80.5°F average summer. Winter gear can remain light, as temperatures rarely stay below freezing for long.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Phillips County

via SoilByCounty

Delta richness with neutral pH

Phillips County boasts a relatively high soil score of 50.4, driven by an average pH of 6.08. This is much closer to the national median of 6.5 than most of Arkansas, making it less acidic and more hospitable for diverse plants. While specific taxonomic data is not listed, the chemistry reflects the fertile heritage of the Mississippi Delta.

Silt-heavy Delta deposits

The soil composition is dominated by silt at 58.4%, with 22.7% clay and only 19.0% sand. This high silt and clay content creates a fine-textured soil that is excellent at holding onto nutrients and minerals. However, these 'heavy' soils can be slow to warm up in the spring and prone to compaction if worked while wet.

Top-tier water retention

Phillips County features an impressive available water capacity of 0.182 in/in, significantly higher than the state average of 0.148. Organic matter stands at 1.64%, which is lower than the state average but sufficient when paired with such high water storage. This soil is naturally equipped to sustain thirsty crops through the hottest months of the year.

Navigating Delta hydrology

Specific drainage and hydrologic group data are not available for this county. However, the high silt and clay percentages typical of the Delta region generally suggest slower drainage and a need for careful water management. Farmers in the area often rely on precise leveling and ditching to ensure consistent field moisture.

A powerhouse for Zone 8a agriculture

Zone 8a and these moisture-rich soils are perfect for high-yield crops like cotton, soybeans, and corn. For the home gardener, this is an ideal environment for lush vegetable patches and heavy-blooming perennials. You can leverage the natural fertility of the Delta to grow an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Phillips County

via LawnByCounty

Balanced Scores and Delta Conditions

Phillips County has a lawn difficulty score of 38.1, placing it just above the state average of 37.3. This Zone 8a county offers some of the more favorable soil conditions in the region, despite some climate-based hurdles.

Ideal Rainfall Meets Intense Heat

At 49.7 inches, the annual precipitation falls perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for lawn health. However, 77 extreme heat days and high humidity can increase the risk of fungal diseases in your turf.

Strong Soil Foundations in Phillips

The soil pH of 6.08 is the best in this group, falling squarely within the ideal range for most lawn grasses. With a relatively high clay content of 22.7%, your soil will retain moisture well, though you should watch for poor drainage during heavy storms.

Coping with Thirty Weeks of Drought

Lawns here endured a massive 30 weeks of drought over the past year, the highest in this group. Despite the 100% D0 status, your best defense is to keep grass taller to shade the soil and reduce evaporation.

Start Early in the Mississippi Delta

The early frost date of March 15 allows for a very long growing season. Use this to your advantage by establishing St. Augustine or Bermudagrass early so they are fully mature before the November 16 fall frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Phillips County's county score?
Phillips County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 37.8 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 Phillips County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Phillips County ranks #67 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 Phillips County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Phillips County is $500, with an effective tax rate of 0.66%. This earns Phillips County a tax score of 67.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Phillips County?
The median household income in Phillips County, Arkansas is $38,874 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Phillips County earns an income score of 2.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Phillips County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Phillips County scores 37.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #67 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Phillips 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 Phillips 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.