CountyScore

Pulaski County

Arkansas · AR

#75 in Arkansas
63.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Pulaski County, Arkansas

Pulaski County beats national median by wide margin

Pulaski County's composite score of 63.4 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 27% of U.S. counties. As Arkansas's most populous county (including Little Rock), this score reflects higher-wage urban opportunities balanced against elevated costs.

Below state average despite urban advantages

With a 63.4 score, Pulaski County falls below the Arkansas state average of 70.3, reflecting the trade-offs of urban living—higher incomes but steeper housing and tax costs. Among the state's counties, it ranks in the lower-middle tier on composite livability.

Highest incomes and strong health outcomes

Pulaski County's income score of 22.8 is the state's highest, with a median household income of $60,385, and a health score of 66.6 reflects urban access to medical services. The 3.2 risk score is exceptional, indicating the most stable economic and demographic outlook in this county cohort.

Housing costs and taxes are steeper here

Pulaski County's cost score of 73.5 and tax score of 80.3 are the lowest in this cohort, with median home values of $199,600 and rent of $1,036 per month. The effective tax rate of 0.783% is also the highest, reflecting urban infrastructure demands.

Best for professionals prioritizing career growth

Pulaski County suits higher-income professionals and families willing to pay urban premiums for wage potential, medical services, and economic stability. It's less ideal for cost-conscious retirees or low-wage workers, but offers the strongest income and employment base in the state.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.3Cost73.5SafetyComing SoonHealth66.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.8Risk3.2WaterComing Soon
🏛80.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.2
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 Pulaski County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Hernando County
Florida
63.4
Median income: $63,193
Cass County
Illinois
63.4
Median income: $64,907
Guilford County
North Carolina
63.4
Median income: $66,027
Wake County
North Carolina
63.4
Median income: $101,763
Clark County
Ohio
63.4
Median income: $60,846

Deep Dives

Pulaski County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pulaski County

via TaxByCounty

Pulaski County taxes competitive nationally

Pulaski County's effective tax rate of 0.783% is roughly three times lower than the national median, with residents paying $1,562 annually versus $2,690 nationally. Despite the state's lowest tax burden, Pulaski ranks in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties.

Arkansas's highest-tax county

Pulaski County's 0.783% effective rate is the highest in Arkansas, substantially exceeding the state average of 0.532%. Homeowners pay roughly $857 more per year than the typical Arkansan, reflecting Little Rock's urban tax base and services.

Significantly higher than all peers

Pulaski County's 0.783% rate far exceeds every other county in the eight-county sample, nearly double Polk County's 0.441% and 40% higher than Saline County's 0.631%. Its urban infrastructure and dense population drive the regional tax-rate premium.

What Pulaski homeowners actually pay

A median Pulaski County home valued at $199,600 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,562 before mortgage benefits, rising to $1,702 with them included. Over 30 years, that's roughly $50,880 in cumulative property taxes.

Don't assume your assessment is correct

High-value properties in Pulaski County benefit most from verification of assessed values, as even small percentage reductions yield significant savings. Contact the county assessor to request a reassessment if you believe your home's value is overstated relative to recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pulaski County

via CostByCounty

Pulaski renters face above-average strain

Pulaski County renters spend 20.6% of income on housing, exceeding both the state average (18.1%) and approaching the national threshold where affordability becomes precarious. This elevated ratio reflects Little Rock's position as the state's economic hub and most expensive market.

Pulaski is Arkansas's most expensive county

With a 20.6% rent-to-income ratio, Pulaski County ranks among the highest-cost counties statewide, driven by median rent of $1,036—the highest in this dataset. The median home value of $199,600 also leads the group, reflecting urban demand and infrastructure.

Rents spike in the central core

Pulaski County's $1,036 rent towers over Saline County ($980) and nearly doubles Pope County ($855), reflecting Little Rock's metro status. This premium positions Pulaski as a regional economic center, but at a real cost to renters and first-time buyers.

Housing dominates Pulaski budgets

Pulaski County residents earn $60,385 annually, but renters spend $1,036/month (20.6% of income) and homeowners $1,060/month (21.0%)—the highest burden in this analysis. More than one-fifth of household income vanishes to housing, constraining savings and discretionary spending.

Pulaski offers opportunity with cost tradeoff

Little Rock's Pulaski County delivers urban job markets and amenities, but expect to pay $1,036/month for median rent versus $637 in Prairie County. If your prospective income exceeds the $60,385 median, the affordability ratio improves—otherwise, compare to surrounding counties first.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pulaski County

via IncomeByCounty

Pulaski County narrows the national gap

Pulaski County's median household income of $60,385 is closer to the U.S. median of $74,755, trailing by 19%—a smaller gap than most Arkansas counties. As the state's largest urban center, Pulaski County (Little Rock) has stronger wage growth and job diversity than rural peers.

Pulaski County leads state income rankings

At $60,385, Pulaski County's median household income substantially exceeds Arkansas's $51,156 state average by 18%. The county's per capita income of $39,780 is the highest among surveyed counties, nearly 42% above the state average of $28,096.

Pulaski County income peak in region

Pulaski County's $60,385 median household income is second only to Saline County ($76,534) in the region. The county's strong showing reflects Little Rock's role as Arkansas's economic engine, supporting professional services, government, and healthcare jobs.

Higher incomes offset steeper housing costs

Pulaski County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in the survey, reflecting urban demand and the median home value of $199,600. However, higher median household income of $60,385 makes these housing costs manageable despite the elevated percentage.

Pulaski County positioned for wealth building

Higher incomes in Pulaski County create stronger capacity for 401(k) contributions, home equity building, and investment portfolios. Residents should maximize retirement plan matching and explore real estate investing to capitalize on the county's economic momentum.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pulaski County

via HealthByCounty

State's healthiest county profile

Pulaski County's 73.8-year life expectancy and 20.2% poor/fair health rate represent Arkansas's best outcomes, though still trailing the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's robust healthcare infrastructure—118 primary care and 528 mental health providers per 100,000—drives this regional advantage.

Clearly outperforms statewide average

Pulaski County's 73.8-year life expectancy exceeds Arkansas's 72.3-year state average, making it the healthiest county measured by longevity. Its provider density far surpasses every other county, reflecting Little Rock's role as the state's medical and economic hub.

Healthcare hub for entire region

Pulaski County's 118 primary care providers per 100,000 residents dwarf neighboring Prairie County's 12 and Saline County's 39. With 528 mental health providers per 100,000, it anchors behavioral health access for a multi-county region relying on Little Rock's medical centers.

Lowest uninsured rate, broadest access

At 9% uninsured—below Arkansas's 9.9% average—Pulaski County residents enjoy both strong coverage and abundant providers. However, healthcare costs and transportation challenges still limit access for low-income residents in the county's rural periphery.

Take advantage of local resources

Pulaski County's dense network of clinics, hospitals, and specialists makes enrollment and care navigation easier than most Arkansas counties. Visit your local health department or explore marketplace plans to ensure you're enrolled in the coverage that fits your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pulaski County

via RiskByCounty

Pulaski County faces high risk

Pulaski County's composite risk score of 96.79 ranks it among the highest-risk counties in the nation, with a Relatively High rating that demands serious attention. Nearly every major hazard type tests well above average here.

Arkansas's riskiest county

Pulaski County's 96.79 score far exceeds Arkansas's state average of 55.51, making it the state's highest-risk county by a significant margin. This concentration of hazards is unmatched elsewhere in Arkansas.

Dramatically riskier than neighbors

Pulaski County (96.79) dwarfs nearby Saline County (77.64) and Randolph County (66.98) in risk exposure. Your location in central Arkansas's largest urban area creates a unique hazard density that surrounding rural counties don't face.

Tornadoes top a critical list

Tornado risk stands at 99.17—nearly the highest possible score—while earthquake risk (98.16) and flood risk (96.76) are equally alarming. Wildfire risk (71.82) and hurricane risk (71.76) round out a comprehensive hazard profile.

Maximum protection required

Invest immediately in a reinforced safe room or basement shelter rated for EF3+ tornadoes—non-negotiable in Pulaski County. Combine comprehensive homeowners and flood insurance, secure earthquake coverage, and maintain 30-day emergency supplies including water, medications, and cash in case infrastructure fails.

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.