CountyScore

Pike County

Arkansas · AR

#9 in Arkansas
73.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Pike County, Arkansas

Well above U.S. median livability

Pike County scores 73.7, nearly 48% above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates strong livability fundamentals compared to most American communities.

Above-average Arkansas performer

At 73.7, Pike County exceeds the Arkansas state average of 70.3, placing it in the upper tier of state counties. It ties Montgomery County as a solid mid-tier performer.

Balanced affordability and stability

Pike County delivers strong affordability with a cost score of 88.3 and tax score of 86.6, combined with a respectable risk score of 73.5 indicating moderate stability. Median home values of $115,400 and rents of $671/month keep housing accessible.

Income remains a constraint

Pike County's income score of 16.7 reflects median household earnings of $51,000, above some peers but still below state and national averages. Limited local income growth may challenge families trying to advance financially.

Solid middle ground for prudent planners

Pike County suits families seeking a balance of affordable housing, manageable risk, and stable—if modest—local employment. It's an ideal landing place for remote workers, semi-retirees, or those willing to trade income growth for cost certainty.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.6Cost88.3SafetyComing SoonHealth60.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.7Risk73.5WaterComing Soon
🏛86.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.5
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 Pike County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pickens County
Alabama
73.7
Median income: $47,014
Montgomery County
Arkansas
73.7
Median income: $49,015
Union County
Florida
73.7
Median income: $64,922
Valley County
Idaho
73.7
Median income: $76,125
Wabash County
Indiana
73.7
Median income: $68,414

Deep Dives

Pike County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pike County

via TaxByCounty

Pike County taxes well below national median

Pike County's effective tax rate of 0.559% and median property tax of $645 represent roughly one-quarter the national median property tax of $2,690. Even with moderate home values ($115,400 median), Pike County homeowners enjoy a tax burden far below the typical U.S. resident.

Slightly above Arkansas's statewide average

Pike County's 0.559% effective rate runs 0.027 percentage points above Arkansas's 0.532% state average. The median property tax of $645 falls $60 below the state's $705 median, putting Pike County near the statewide midpoint.

Mid-to-higher range in south-central region

Pike County's 0.559% rate exceeds Newton County (0.408%), Montgomery County (0.384%), and Ouachita County (0.502%), but trails Phillips County's 0.656% rate. Among the eight-county cohort, Pike falls in the upper-middle tier for tax burden.

Median homeowner pays $645 yearly

A Pike County home valued at $115,400 generates roughly $645 in annual property tax at the 0.559% effective rate. With a mortgage, the bill climbs to $781; without one, it drops to $534—a modest but notable expense for county residents.

Appeal assessments that seem excessive

Pike County homeowners should compare their assessed values to recent comparable sales in their area to identify potential overvaluation. Submitting a property tax appeal could save you hundreds over time if your assessment exceeds market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pike County

via CostByCounty

Pike balances income and rent well

Pike County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% beats both the national average and Arkansas's 18.1% state average. At $671 monthly rent on a $51,000 median income, Pike delivers solid affordability for a lower-income region.

Pike ranks among Arkansas's affordable

Pike's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the state average of 18.1%, positioning the county among Arkansas's better affordability options. The county's $671 monthly rent—among the lowest regionally—supports this advantage.

Pike offers competitive regional rents

Pike's $671 rent undercuts most neighbors, trailing only Newton ($629) while beating Montgomery ($734), Nevada ($841), and Ouachita ($714). Combined with a solid $51,000 median income, Pike creates attractive affordability for regional renters.

Pike's housing remains manageable

Renters pay $671 monthly while homeowners spend $536, with both dedicating roughly 16% of their $51,000 income to housing. Pike's balanced burden allows households to manage other expenses without extreme financial strain.

Pike offers solid rental affordability

Pike County delivers low rents ($671) and below-average rent-to-income ratios alongside reasonable median income. If you're seeking an affordable, stable housing market in rural Arkansas, Pike merits serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pike County

via IncomeByCounty

Pike's income below but closer to national

Pike County's median household income of $51,000 trails the national median of $74,755 by $23,755, or 32%—a gap that's smaller than most rural Arkansas peers. Pike performs reasonably well in regional context while remaining below national averages.

Right at Arkansas median

Pike County's $51,000 median household income nearly matches the Arkansas state median of $51,156, positioning it as representative of typical state earnings. Per capita income of $29,522 outpaces the state average of $28,096, suggesting more equitable wealth distribution.

Second in regional income

Pike's $51,000 ranks second only to Perry County ($60,078) and exceeds Montgomery ($49,015), Ouachita ($49,838), Newton ($47,395), and all lower-earning peers. The county maintains solid competitive standing within its region.

Healthy housing affordability

Pike's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio is one of the region's best, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $115,400 is accessible to households earning $51,000, supporting both rental and ownership pathways.

Pike residents ready to invest

Earning at the state median of $51,000, Pike households have solid capacity to build wealth through home equity, retirement contributions, and diversified investments. Targeting 10-15% of income toward savings and investing can meaningfully close the national income gap over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pike County

via HealthByCounty

Pike County's health trails national average

Pike County residents live an average of 71.6 years, nearly 4.5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.2%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 18% and indicating significant chronic disease burden.

Below Arkansas state health average

Pike County's 71.6-year life expectancy falls short of Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. Its 23.2% poor/fair health rate matches the state burden of chronic disease, reflecting typical struggles across rural Arkansas.

Mid-range health among peers

Pike County's 71.6-year life expectancy ranks near the middle of this regional sample—better than Ouachita County (70.8 years) but worse than Newton County (73.6 years). Its 10.7% uninsured rate is slightly above state average, suggesting modest access barriers that may contribute to delayed care-seeking.

Moderate provider access, uninsured gap

Pike County has 40 primary care providers and 49 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—moderate but below some regional peers. The county's 10.7% uninsured rate is the second-highest in this sample, meaning roughly 1 in 10 residents delay or avoid care due to cost, potentially worsening health outcomes.

Close Pike County's coverage gap

Pike County's uninsured rate of 10.7% is the highest concern; health outcomes improve when residents have active coverage. Visit healthcare.gov to compare plans and subsidies, or call 211 to find free or low-cost clinics and discuss coverage options with a navigator today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pike County

via RiskByCounty

Pike County's strong low-risk position

Pike County scores 26.56, placing it in the Very Low risk category and significantly below national averages. This favorable position reflects relatively modest exposure to major natural hazards across all threat types.

Among Arkansas's safest counties

Pike County's 26.56 score ranks it among the state's lowest-risk counties, falling 52% below Arkansas's average of 55.51. This strong safety profile positions Pike as one of the most protected counties in the state.

Lower risk than most regional peers

Pike County's 26.56 score places it among the safest in its region, comparable to Perry County (28.05) and below Montgomery County (30.69). Only Newton County's 18.45 rating surpasses Pike's low-risk position in this rural area.

Wildfire and earthquake pose modest risks

Wildfire risk at 49.90 and earthquake risk at 52.51 represent Pike County's highest hazard exposures, though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Tornado (43.07), hurricane (49.65), and flood (39.95) risks all fall below state averages.

Standard coverage provides solid protection

Pike County's very low composite risk score means standard homeowners insurance typically offers adequate protection for most residents. Rural and forest-adjacent properties should verify wildfire coverage, and any flood-prone areas should maintain dedicated flood insurance.

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.