countyscore
45.6
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 77.8Cost of Living 59.6

County Report Card

About Pope County, Arkansas

Pope County falls short of national baseline

Pope County's composite score of 44.9 sits below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the lower half of American counties for overall livability. This gap reflects specific vulnerabilities that prospective residents should understand before relocating.

Below-average livability in Arkansas

At 44.9, Pope County scores below Arkansas's state average of 47.9, ranking among the less livable counties statewide. This positioning indicates residents face greater challenges compared to typical Arkansas communities.

Water quality and schools offer solid ground

Pope County stands out with a water score of 86.0, far exceeding state and national norms for water quality and availability. Schools score a respectable 47.8, and health outcomes (36.8) are among the better performing dimensions, providing families with educational and healthcare resources.

Safety and housing costs are real concerns

The county faces a critically low safety score of 14.2, one of the poorest in the state, and housing costs are rising relative to affordability (56.4 cost score). Income levels lag at 24.3, with median household income at $54,606, limiting purchasing power and long-term wealth building.

For families valuing schools and water quality

Pope County appeals to families prioritizing school quality and clean water over broad economic opportunity or low crime rates. You'll find a quieter, water-rich landscape with decent schools, but expect to navigate higher safety concerns and moderate housing expense.

2040608010077.859.614.236.847.826.622.28655.6Tax77.8Cost59.6Safety14.2Health36.8Schools47.8Income26.6Risk22.2Water86Weather55.645.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Pope County DNA

Foverall

How Pope County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Pope County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (14.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
77.8+25.799999999999997
Cost
59.6+11.600000000000001
Safety
14.2-40.8
Health
36.8-13.200000000000003
Schools
47.8
Income
26.6-24.4
Risk
22.2-24.8
Water
86+28
Weather
55.6
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Compare mortgage rates in Pope County

Whether buying or refinancing in Pope County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$170,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$859/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$170,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,344/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

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
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Nearby counties

Johnson County
Arkansas
53.1
Conway County
Arkansas
48.3
Yell County
Arkansas
50.4
Van Buren County
Arkansas
58.3
Perry County
Arkansas
54.7
Newton County
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65.3
Searcy County
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64.6
Logan County
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48.2

Deep Dives

Pope County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Pope County

via TaxByCounty

Pope County stays well below U.S. tax median

Pope County's effective tax rate of 0.568% is roughly one-fifth the national median burden. With a median tax of $918 annually versus $2,690 nationally, Pope County ranks in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties for property tax pressure.

Slightly above average for Arkansas

Pope County's 0.568% rate exceeds Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, ranking it in the upper-middle tier among the state's 75 counties. Residents pay roughly $213 more per year than the state average.

Mid-range among regional counties

Pope County's 0.568% rate falls between lower-tax Scott County (0.411%) and higher-tax Pulaski County (0.783%), making it a moderate choice in the region. Among the eight-county sample, Pope ranks fifth in effective tax rate.

Annual tax on median Pope County home

The median Pope County home valued at $161,700 carries an estimated annual property tax of $918 without mortgage benefits, or $997 with them included. Over 30 years, that's roughly $29,540 in taxes.

Challenge your assessment if needed

Property assessments in Arkansas don't always keep pace with market reality, leaving many owners paying more than necessary. A quick comparison of your assessed value to recent comparable sales may justify an appeal to reduce your burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pope County

via IncomeByCounty

Pope County trails national income levels

Pope County's median household income of $54,606 falls 27% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. This gap reflects Pope County's economy, which relies more on agriculture and light manufacturing than high-wage sectors.

Pope County slightly above state average

At $54,606, Pope County's median household income edges above Arkansas's $51,156 state average by about 7%. The county's per capita income of $29,516 also surpasses the state average of $28,096, indicating relatively balanced income distribution.

Pope County ranks middle among peers

Pope County's $54,606 median household income sits between Randolph County ($52,838) and Prairie County ($51,094) in the region. Saline County ($76,534) and Pulaski County ($60,385) offer higher incomes, while Scott and Searcy counties lag significantly.

Rent costs edge toward affordability limits

Pope County's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio remains well below the 30% affordability threshold, though it's among the higher rates in the region. The median home value of $161,700 is elevated relative to median household income, requiring careful mortgage planning.

Strategic saving can close Pope County's wealth gap

Pope County households should prioritize automated savings plans and employer retirement benefits to build long-term wealth. Even modest consistent investments can compound significantly over 20–30 years, helping households reach national income parity in net worth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Pope County

via CrimeByCounty

Pope County Aligns with National Crime Trends

Pope County reports a total crime rate of 2441.9 per 100K, which is slightly higher than the national average of 2385.5. Despite this, it maintains a strong safety score of 96.1 out of 100.

Matching the Arkansas Safety Average

The county's safety score of 96.1 sits just below the Arkansas state average of 96.3. Its total crime rate of 2441.9 is roughly 5% higher than the statewide average of 2326.8.

Contrasting Safety Profiles with Polk County

Pope County experiences more frequent incidents than nearby Polk County, where the crime rate is much lower at 1774.7. Local officials manage a higher volume of cases across eight reporting agencies.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime Risks

The violent crime rate stands at 433.2 per 100K, while property crimes reach 2008.7. These figures suggest that roughly one in 50 residents may be affected by property-related incidents annually.

Vigilance Against Property Theft in Pope

Because property crime drives the local statistics, home security remains a top priority. Residents should consider smart doorbell cameras to deter package theft and unauthorized entry.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Pope County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic Southern Humid Subtropical Climate

Pope County averages 61.4°F annually, significantly higher than the national median of 54°F. This results in long, humid summers and relatively short, mild winters.

Right in Line with Arkansas Norms

The county's average temperature of 61.4°F closely mirrors the state average of 61.0°F. Its precipitation of 49.6 inches is slightly below the state benchmark of 52.4 inches.

Hotter and Drier than Polk

Pope County sees 73 days of extreme heat, nearly double the 37 days experienced in neighboring Polk County. It is also considerably drier, receiving about 11 inches less rain annually than Polk.

Long Summers and Brief Winters

July averages 81.8°F, fueled by 73 days where temperatures exceed 90°F. Winter is mild with only 1.8 inches of snow and a January average of 40.0°F.

Plan for High Heat Resilience

The 80.3°F summer average makes efficient cooling systems a top priority for residents. Homeowners should also prepare for occasional winter ice, given the 42.0°F average winter temperature.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Pope County

via SoilByCounty

Highly weathered Ultisols define the land

Pope County is dominated by Ultisols, which are highly weathered forest soils characterized by an acidic pH of 5.53. This measurement sits well below the national median of 6.5 but aligns closely with the Arkansas state average. These soils typically require lime applications to neutralize acidity for most vegetable crops.

Classic fine sandy loam texture

The soil composition is 44.6% sand and 39.7% silt, resulting in a dominant texture of fine sandy loam. This mix offers excellent workability for farmers and gardeners alike. The 15.7% clay content provides just enough structure to assist with nutrient retention without becoming overly heavy.

Moderate water capacity with low organic levels

Organic matter stands at 1.84%, which is lower than both the national 2.0% average and the state average of 4.15%. However, the available water capacity of 0.140 in/in is nearly on par with the state average of 0.148. Improving organic content through composting will significantly boost both fertility and moisture retention.

Reliable moderately well-drained soils

Pope County soils are generally moderately well-drained and fall into hydrologic group C. This means the soil has a slow rate of water transmission, which can lead to occasional pooling after heavy rain. It is a solid middle-ground for building foundations and most agricultural uses.

Warm winters favor zone 8a crops

The 8a hardiness zone supports a long growing season for heat-tolerant crops like peppers, tomatoes, and okra. With a soil score of 31.9, success depends on managing the acidic Ultisol profile through consistent soil care. Now is the perfect time to prep your garden beds for a bountiful Arkansas summer.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pope County

via LawnByCounty

Better Than Average Arkansas Growing Conditions

Pope County scores a 39.5 on the lawn difficulty index, outperforming the state average of 37.3. Though it sits below the national benchmark of 50.0, the Zone 8a environment is conducive to standard Southern lawn care. Residents can expect a more predictable growing season than many other parts of the state.

Hot Summers and Balanced Rainfall

The county experiences 73 extreme heat days annually, which is higher than the state average of 64. Annual precipitation of 49.6 inches sits perfectly at the top of the ideal range for healthy turf growth. However, the high 5,204 growing degree days mean your mower will stay busy throughout the long summer.

Fine Sandy Loams Provide Good Structure

The soil is classified as a moderately well-drained fine sandy loam with a 5.53 pH level. While the texture is excellent for root growth, the acidity still falls short of the 6.0 target for optimal grass health. You will likely need to supplement with lime to prevent nutrient lockout in your lawn.

Severe Drought Demands Water Efficiency

Pope County currently has 100% of its area in severe drought, following 21 weeks of dry conditions over the last year. These persistent conditions make deep, infrequent watering essential to encourage deep root systems. Avoiding mid-day irrigation prevents water loss to evaporation during these intense dry spells.

Plant Early to Beat the Heat

With the last spring frost typically occurring by March 29th, you can get an early start on your lawn projects. Heat-tolerant varieties like St. Augustine or Bermuda are excellent choices for the 73 days of intense sun. Aim to have new sod established before the first frost returns on November 2nd.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pope County's county score?
Pope County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 45.6 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 Pope County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Pope County ranks #44 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 Pope County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Pope County is $945, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Pope County a tax score of 77.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pope County?
The median household income in Pope County, Arkansas is $57,344 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pope County earns an income score of 26.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pope County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Pope County scores 45.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Pope 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 Pope County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.