CountyScore

Poinsett County

Arkansas · AR

#59 in Arkansas
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Poinsett County, Arkansas

Mid-tier national livability

Poinsett County scores 68.2, 36% above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties despite trailing some Arkansas peers.

Slightly below state average

At 68.2, Poinsett County falls slightly below the Arkansas state average of 70.3. It ranks among the lower performers in this eight-county cohort.

Strong tax and housing affordability

Poinsett County shines with a tax score of 87.8 and cost score of 87.9, the highest cost rating in the group, plus the lowest median rent ($647/month). These factors make the county exceptionally attractive for budget-constrained households.

Risk exposure and health concerns

The risk score of 27.5 is the lowest among all eight counties, indicating serious vulnerability to natural hazards, flooding, or climate events. The health score of 53.8 also suggests residents face healthcare access or wellness challenges.

Viable only for risk-tolerant planners

Poinsett County works for renters or retirees with secure outside income who can accept lower health resources and environmental vulnerability. The extremely low housing costs are offset by significant risk exposure, making it suitable only for those with limited options or exceptional adaptability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.8Cost87.9SafetyComing SoonHealth53.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.2Risk27.5WaterComing Soon
🏛87.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.5
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 Poinsett County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407
Brantley County
Georgia
68.2
Median income: $47,801

Deep Dives

Poinsett County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Poinsett County

via TaxByCounty

Poinsett County taxes rank among nation's lowest

Poinsett County's effective tax rate of 0.513% and median property tax of $519 sit well below the national median of $2,690. Residents here pay roughly one-fifth what the typical American household pays in property tax, placing Poinsett among the nation's most tax-friendly counties.

Slightly below Arkansas's statewide average

Poinsett County's 0.513% effective rate edges 0.019 percentage points below Arkansas's 0.532% state average. The median property tax of $519 is $186 lower than the state's $705 median, delivering real savings relative to typical Arkansas homeowners.

Competitive rate among eastern Arkansas counties

Poinsett County's 0.513% rate falls between Nevada County (0.539%) to the south and Ouachita County (0.502%) to the west. It significantly undercuts Phillips County's 0.656% rate while remaining above the lowest-tax counties like Montgomery (0.384%) and Newton (0.408%).

Median homeowner pays $519 yearly

Poinsett County's median home valued at $101,200 generates approximately $519 in annual property tax under the 0.513% rate. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $645; without, it drops to $450—an affordable range for the county.

Verify your assessment for potential savings

Poinsett County homeowners should review their assessed values against recent neighborhood sales to catch overassessments. A successful appeal could reduce your annual tax bill if your property is valued higher than comparable homes in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Poinsett County

via CostByCounty

Poinsett's affordability beats expectations

Poinsett County residents spend 16.4% of their income on rent—below both the national average and Arkansas's 18.1% state average. On a $47,188 median income, Poinsett's $647 monthly rent creates genuine affordability relief compared to national standards.

Poinsett ranks solidly in Arkansas

Poinsett's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% outperforms the state average of 18.1%, placing the county among Arkansas's more affordable communities. At $647 monthly rent, Poinsett offers one of the state's lowest rents while maintaining reasonable incomes.

Poinsett delivers strong rental value

Poinsett's $647 rent ranks second-lowest regionally after Newton ($629), while its $47,188 income exceeds Nevada ($41,761) and Phillips ($38,874). This combination of low rents and competitive incomes makes Poinsett a regional affordability standout.

Poinsett's housing burden is light

Renters pay $647 monthly while homeowners spend $595, with both dedicating roughly 16% of their $47,188 income to housing. Poinsett's balanced costs create room for other household priorities without excessive financial stress.

Poinsett combines low rent and value

Poinsett County offers the region's second-lowest rents alongside below-state-average rent-to-income ratios and solid income levels. If you're relocating for affordability without sacrificing economic opportunity, Poinsett delivers genuine value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Poinsett County

via IncomeByCounty

Poinsett income lags nation substantially

Poinsett County's median household income of $47,188 trails the national median of $74,755 by $27,567, or 37%. This income gap is typical of rural Arkansas counties competing in a national economy increasingly shaped by technology and service sectors.

Below Arkansas average

At $47,188, Poinsett ranks below the Arkansas state median of $51,156 by approximately $3,970. Per capita income of $25,587 also falls below the state average of $28,096, indicating limited individual earning capacity.

Lower-middle standing regionally

Poinsett's $47,188 ranks above Nevada ($41,761) and Phillips County ($38,874) but below most peers including Ouachita ($49,838), Montgomery ($49,015), Newton ($47,395), and Pike County ($51,000). The county occupies the lower-middle of its regional income distribution.

Reasonable housing costs

Poinsett's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio is healthy and affordable, allowing households to allocate most earnings to other needs. The median home value of $101,200 is accessible to local incomes, supporting homeownership and wealth building.

Start small, build steady

Poinsett residents earning $47,188 should establish automated savings through employer plans and modest investment accounts to compound wealth over time. Even $100 monthly directed to a diversified fund can create meaningful financial security over 20-30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Poinsett County

via HealthByCounty

Poinsett County struggles with early mortality

At 68.7 years, Poinsett County residents live nearly 7.5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—the second-lowest in this sample. Nearly 3 in 10 residents (29.6%) report poor or fair health, the second-highest rate among these counties and far above the national average of 18%.

Second-lowest life expectancy in state sample

Poinsett County's 68.7-year life expectancy trails Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years by 3.6 years, placing it near the bottom tier. With 29.6% in poor or fair health—the second-worst in this group—Poinsett County reflects severe health challenges concentrated in rural eastern Arkansas.

Among region's most distressed counties

Poinsett County ranks second-worst in life expectancy (68.7 years) only to Phillips County (67.4 years), with residents living 5.4 years less than Perry County. Its 9.2% uninsured rate is near state average, yet the county's poor health outcomes suggest coverage alone cannot overcome poverty and structural barriers.

Critical primary care shortage amid crisis

Poinsett County has a critical shortage of primary care providers at just 9 per 100,000 residents—the lowest among these counties—while offering 272 mental health providers per 100,000. This mismatch leaves residents unable to access basic medical care while mental health infrastructure far exceeds demand, indicating severe healthcare system misalignment.

Urgent action needed for coverage

Poinsett County's healthcare crisis requires immediate action; ensuring coverage is essential but insufficient without addressing primary care shortages. Visit healthcare.gov to verify coverage, but also connect with county health departments and community health centers that may offer extended hours, telemedicine, or referrals to distant providers to access needed primary care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Poinsett County

via RiskByCounty

Poinsett County faces elevated national risks

Poinsett County scores 72.52, placing it in the Relatively Low category but notably above the national average for composite risk. This elevation reflects particularly acute exposure to earthquakes and tornadoes.

Arkansas's highest-risk county profiled

At 72.52, Poinsett County ranks well above Arkansas's average of 55.51, positioning it among the state's riskiest counties. The county's profile is dominated by extreme earthquake risk and severe tornado exposure.

Significantly riskier than surrounding areas

Poinsett County's 72.52 score substantially exceeds nearby Phillips County (61.67) and far surpasses the low-risk counties to the south and west. This elevated risk position reflects the county's geographic vulnerability to multiple significant natural hazards.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate risks

Poinsett County faces extreme earthquake risk at 95.17 and severe tornado risk at 83.87, making these overwhelmingly the county's primary natural hazard concerns. Flood (37.28) and hurricane (44.26) risks remain secondary, while wildfire risk is minimal at 7.44.

Earthquake and tornado coverage mandatory

Poinsett County residents must obtain earthquake insurance immediately given the county's extreme 95.17 risk score, and tornado coverage is equally critical at 83.87. Every property should carry comprehensive coverage across these two dominant hazards, with additional flood insurance for vulnerable locations.

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.