With a composite score of 70.9, Randolph County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 42% of U.S. counties. This reflects solid livability across the county despite some data gaps on schools and safety.
2 / 5
Matches and slightly exceeds state average
Randolph County's 70.9 score edges above the Arkansas state average of 70.3, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. The county holds competitive ground statewide on overall livability measures.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and highly affordable housing
Randolph County ties for the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.440% (matching Polk County), earning a 89.9 tax score, while its 88.4 cost score reflects median home values of $118,100 and rents of just $671 per month. This affordability combination is among the best in Arkansas.
4 / 5
Income and health need strengthening
An income score of 17.9 with median household income of $52,838 falls short of state and national averages, and a health score of 58.7 indicates room for improvement in wellness outcomes. The risk score of 33.0 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic disruptions.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget-conscious families and retirees
Randolph County is best suited to households prioritizing minimal taxes and low housing costs over wage growth—perfect for fixed-income retirees or remote workers. The county offers excellent affordability with stable, if modest, community infrastructure.
With a composite score of 70.9, Randolph County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 42% of U.S. counties. This reflects solid livability across the county despite some data gaps on schools and safety.
Matches and slightly exceeds state average
Randolph County's 70.9 score edges above the Arkansas state average of 70.3, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. The county holds competitive ground statewide on overall livability measures.
Lowest taxes and highly affordable housing
Randolph County ties for the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.440% (matching Polk County), earning a 89.9 tax score, while its 88.4 cost score reflects median home values of $118,100 and rents of just $671 per month. This affordability combination is among the best in Arkansas.
Income and health need strengthening
An income score of 17.9 with median household income of $52,838 falls short of state and national averages, and a health score of 58.7 indicates room for improvement in wellness outcomes. The risk score of 33.0 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic disruptions.
Ideal for budget-conscious families and retirees
Randolph County is best suited to households prioritizing minimal taxes and low housing costs over wage growth—perfect for fixed-income retirees or remote workers. The county offers excellent affordability with stable, if modest, community infrastructure.
Score breakdown
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🏛89.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Randolph County's effective tax rate of 0.440% ranks in the bottom 10% nationally, with residents paying just $519 annually versus $2,690 nationwide. This places Randolph alongside the most tax-favorable counties across the country.
Second-lowest taxes in Arkansas
Randolph County's 0.440% rate edges out most Arkansas peers, landing just above Scott County (0.411%) as the state's second-lowest effective tax rate. Homeowners pay roughly $186 less annually than the state average of 0.532%.
Nearly tied with lowest-tax peer
Randolph County's 0.440% rate virtually matches Scott County's 0.411%, making both counties the region's tax champions. Only Polk County (0.441%) comes close in the eight-county sample, creating a tight cluster of low-tax options.
Annual taxes on median Randolph home
A Randolph County home with a median value of $118,100 generates an estimated annual property tax of $519 without mortgage deductions, or $581 with them. Over 30 years, that amounts to roughly $15,570 in property taxes.
Verify you're getting fair market treatment
Even in low-tax counties, some assessments lag behind market reality or include errors that inflate your bill unnecessarily. Pull recent comparable sales in your neighborhood and file an appeal if your assessed value appears out of line.
Randolph County renters spend 15.2% of income on housing, comfortably below both the state average (18.1%) and well below the national level where affordability becomes strained. This ratio signals reliable housing security for typical renter households.
Randolph outperforms most of Arkansas
At 15.2%, Randolph County ranks among Arkansas's most affordable counties, beating the state average by nearly 3 percentage points. The median rent of $671 stays modestly above Prairie County's $637 but undercuts most peers.
Affordable rural gem with moderate rents
Randolph's $671 median rent trails only Prairie County ($637) among these eight counties, sitting well below Polk ($699), Pope ($855), and all urban options. For rural dwellers seeking services without urban price tags, Randolph delivers balanced value.
Housing remains manageable for residents
Randolph County households earn $52,838 annually, with renters paying $671/month (15.2% of income) and homeowners $533/month (12.1%). Both pathways consume minimal income, freeing substantial resources for other needs and financial stability.
Randolph delivers rural affordability
Consider Randolph County if you want rural living with strong affordability: median rent of $671 and homeowner costs of $533/month on $52,838 income. Compare these numbers to pricier Pope County ($855 rent) to see the rural cost advantage clearly.
Randolph County households earn a median of $52,838 annually, roughly 29% below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects the county's rural economy and limited connection to major metropolitan job centers.
Randolph County slightly above state average
Randolph County's $52,838 median household income edges 3% above Arkansas's $51,156 state average. However, the per capita income of $27,416 falls below the state average of $28,096, suggesting income concentration among fewer households.
Randolph County in middle tier regionally
Randolph County's $52,838 median household income ranks fourth among the eight surveyed counties, above Polk, Prairie, and Scott/Searcy but below Pulaski and Saline. The county's stable agricultural base provides income consistency despite modest wage levels.
Excellent rent affordability supports saving
Randolph County's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in the region, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $118,100 is quite accessible, allowing most households to move into homeownership without financial strain.
Build rural wealth through steady investing
Randolph County's low housing costs create space for consistent savings and long-term wealth building. Residents should prioritize automatic transfers to savings accounts and low-cost index funds to compound growth over decades.
Randolph County residents live to 72.1 years on average, nearly 7 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in four residents (26%) report poor or fair health, signaling significant chronic disease burden in this rural community.
Below Arkansas average, struggling
Randolph County's 72.1-year life expectancy places it slightly below Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, cementing its position among the state's less healthy counties. Its 26% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state median, indicating concentrated health challenges.
Moderate provider access locally
Randolph County's 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents exceed Prairie County's critical shortage but fall well below Pulaski County's 118. Mental health services at 116 providers per 100,000 suggest reasonable behavioral health support for a rural county.
One in ten lack health insurance
An estimated 10.4% of Randolph County residents remain uninsured, slightly above Arkansas's 9.9% rate. Limited primary care capacity forces many to delay preventive care and rely on emergency services for acute illness.
Don't delay getting covered
If you're among the 10.4% uninsured in Randolph County, Arkansas Medicaid expansion and marketplace insurance can provide essential coverage. Contact your county health department or visit healthcare.gov to explore plans and enrollment support.
Randolph County's composite risk score of 66.98 exceeds the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating overall. The score reflects significant exposure to certain hazards, particularly earthquakes and tornadoes.
Moderate risk for Arkansas
At 66.98, Randolph County ranks above Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it in the riskier half of state counties. However, it remains well below Pulaski County's extreme exposure.
Higher risk in northeast cluster
Randolph County (66.98) exceeds Prairie County (41.38) but trails Pulaski County (96.79) and Saline County (77.64). Your northeastern Arkansas location puts you between safer western counties and the state's highest-risk urban center.
Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate
Earthquake risk reaches 92.40, the county's critical vulnerability, while tornado risk (77.80) presents significant spring threat. Flood risk (45.52) and wildfire risk (40.04) are notably lower, giving you some relief on those fronts.
Earthquake and storm protection
Prioritize earthquake coverage in your homeowners policy and secure all furniture and appliances to walls to prevent collapse during shaking. Establish a tornado safety plan with a designated shelter area, and consider a weather radio that alerts you to both earthquake and severe weather warnings.