countyscore
64.2
County Score
Cost of Living 97.2Property Tax 88.1Disaster Risk 72.3

County Report Card

About Searcy County, Arkansas

Searcy County outpaces national median clearly

Searcy County's composite score of 64.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American livability. This strong performance reflects a county excelling across multiple quality-of-life dimensions.

Best performer among Arkansas cohort

Searcy County's score of 64.2 substantially exceeds the Arkansas state average of 47.9, making it the highest-performing county among these eight Arkansas communities. Residents enjoy markedly better livability conditions than typical Arkansas counties.

Affordability and safety lead the way

Searcy County boasts a cost score of 97.2—the highest among these eight counties—with a median home value of just $108,100 and median rent of $596. Safety (64.0) and risk profile (72.3) are strong, and schools score well at 60.1, making this appealing for families.

Income and water quality need improvement

The county faces a very low income score of 4.3 with median household income of $41,978, the lowest among these eight counties, limiting economic mobility. Water quality (10.5) is also a concern, though the overall risk profile suggests manageable hazard exposure.

For families prioritizing safety and affordability

Searcy County suits families and retirees seeking the best combination of affordable housing, good schools, and strong safety in a rural setting, willing to accept the lowest wages. This is the livability winner among these eight counties if you can support yourselves through remote work or external income.

2040608010088.197.26430.160.14.372.310.558.7Tax88.1Cost97.2Safety64Health30.1Schools60.1Income4.3Risk72.3Water10.5Weather58.764.2/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Searcy County DNA

D+overall

How Searcy County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Searcy County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (97.2/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (10.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88.1+36.099999999999994
Cost
97.2+49.2
Safety
64+9
Health
30.1-19.9
Schools
60.1
Income
4.3-46.7
Risk
72.3+25.299999999999997
Water
10.5-47.5
Weather
58.7
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$108,100

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$596/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$108,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $41,978/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.7

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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Counties with similar scores

Conejos County
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Median income: $47,209
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Median income: $67,279
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Norton County
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Bienville Parish
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Median income: $34,992
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Jackson Parish
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Median income: $43,345
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Red River Parish
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Median income: $44,539
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Wright County
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Median income: $47,304
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Clay County
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Median income: $44,712
64.2

Nearby counties

Van Buren County
Arkansas
56.7
Marion County
Arkansas
48.3
Baxter County
Arkansas
44.5
Stone County
Arkansas
57.5
Newton County
Arkansas
65.3
Boone County
Arkansas
53.2
Pope County
Arkansas
44.9
Izard County
Arkansas
56.4

Deep Dives

Searcy County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Searcy County

via TaxByCounty

Searcy County taxes far below U.S. median

Searcy County's effective tax rate of 0.478% is roughly one-fifth the national median burden, with residents paying $517 annually versus $2,690 nationally. This places Searcy in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties for property tax pressure.

Slightly below Arkansas average

Searcy County's 0.478% effective rate edges below Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 75 counties. Homeowners pay roughly $188 less per year than the typical Arkansan.

Middle-of-pack in regional comparison

Searcy County's 0.478% rate places it squarely between low-tax Scott County (0.411%) and higher-tax Saline County (0.631%) in the eight-county sample. It ranks roughly fifth among the eight counties by effective tax rate.

Annual tax on median Searcy home

A Searcy County home with a median value of $108,100 generates an estimated annual property tax of $517 without mortgage deductions, or $599 with them included. Over 30 years, that amounts to roughly $15,510 in cumulative property taxes.

Double-check your assessment accuracy

Even reasonable tax rates can hide inflated assessments that cost you money every year. Compare your assessed value to recent comparable sales in Searcy County and file an appeal if your property appears to be overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Searcy County

via CostByCounty

Searcy renters enjoy exceptional affordability

Searcy County renters spend 17.0% of income on housing, matching Polk County and well below national stress levels. This ratio provides genuine housing security despite the county's lower household income, driven by minimal median rent of just $596.

Searcy ranks among Arkansas's most affordable

At 17.0%, Searcy County beats the state average of 18.1%, achieving strong affordability through rock-bottom rents. The median rent of $596 is the second-lowest in this dataset, trailing only Prairie County's $637.

Lowest rents meet lowest incomes

Searcy County's $596 median rent ranks among the region's cheapest, but paired with the second-lowest median income ($41,978), the advantage depends on household circumstances. Rural renters with stable employment find exceptional value; those with variable income face tighter constraints.

Minimal housing costs in rural setting

Searcy County residents earn $41,978 annually—the second-lowest here—with renters paying $596/month (17.0% of income) and homeowners $453/month (12.9%). Both pathways consume modest income shares, though residents must manage on lower absolute earnings than most peers.

Searcy for ultra-low housing costs

Searcy County delivers Arkansas's second-cheapest rents ($596) and ownership costs ($453/month), ideal for remote workers or retirees relocating for affordability. However, local job markets are limited—ensure your income source is portable before moving to this rural county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Searcy County

via IncomeByCounty

Searcy County faces steepest income gap

Searcy County households earn a median of just $41,978 annually, 44% below the U.S. median of $74,755—the largest gap among Arkansas counties surveyed. This reflects the county's isolated rural location, aging population, and limited employment opportunities.

Searcy County lowest in state earnings

At $41,978, Searcy County's median household income is 18% below Arkansas's $51,156 state average, the lowest among surveyed counties. The per capita income of $22,545 is substantially below the state average of $28,096, indicating widespread economic strain.

Searcy County faces economic isolation

Searcy County's $41,978 median household income is the lowest in the eight-county sample, trailing even Scott County ($45,955) by more than $3,000. The county's remote Ozark location limits job market access compared to more connected neighbors.

Low home values help offset low wages

Searcy County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio is manageable, and the median home value of $108,100 is quite affordable. These low housing costs are essential for households with limited earning power, preventing even deeper affordability crises.

Small steps build resilience in Searcy

Searcy County households should focus on emergency savings before investing, given income volatility in rural economies. Participation in any available employer retirement plans and exploration of side income opportunities—including remote work—can gradually improve long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Searcy County

via CrimeByCounty

Searcy County is Exceptionally Safe

Searcy County boasts a safety score of 98.7, one of the highest in the region. Its total crime rate of 837.5 per 100K is roughly 65% lower than the national average.

A Safety Leader in the State of Arkansas

Searcy County significantly outperforms the Arkansas safety average of 96.3 with its 98.7 rating. It is much safer than the state average crime rate of 2326.8.

A Regional Model for Low Crime

With a crime rate of only 837.5, Searcy County is far more secure than nearby Randolph County at 2390.0. Only two reporting agencies manage this remarkably low volume of incidents.

Minimal Crime Across All Categories

Violent crime is low at 241.1 per 100K, and property crime is just 596.4. These numbers indicate that Searcy County is a very low-risk area for both people and property.

Staying Proactive in a Safe Community

While crime is rare in Searcy County, maintaining basic security habits is always wise. Keeping sheds locked and installing a simple porch camera ensures the county remains a safe haven.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Searcy County

via SchoolsByCounty

Small, Efficient Education in Searcy County

Searcy County manages just five public schools across two districts, serving a total of 1,013 students. The infrastructure is unique, consisting of one elementary, one middle, and two high schools.

Top-Tier Graduation and High Investment

Searcy County boasts an elite 95.0% graduation rate and the highest school score in the region at 55.7. This success is backed by strong investment, with per-pupil spending reaching $6,803.

Searcy County and Ozark Mountain Districts

The Searcy County School District is the largest in the county, educating 841 students. There are no charter schools in the area, as the county relies entirely on its two traditional public districts.

The Ultimate Rural Learning Environment

Every school in Searcy County is classified as rural, and the average school size is a very small 253 students. Marshall High School is the largest campus, yet it only hosts 358 students from grades 7 through 12.

Invest in a High-Performing Rural Community

With a 95% graduation rate and high per-pupil investment, Searcy County offers some of the best rural education in the state. Explore homes near Marshall to join a district that consistently outperforms national academic benchmarks.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Searcy County

via RiskByCounty

Searcy County is exceptionally safe

Searcy County's composite risk score of 27.74 places it among America's safest counties, with a Very Low risk rating. You live in a natural disaster refuge with minimal exposure to major hazards.

One of Arkansas's safest

At 27.74, Searcy County sits nearly 28 points below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, ranking among the state's least-threatened counties. This exceptional safety creates real advantages in insurance costs and peace of mind.

Tied for safest in region

Searcy County (27.74) ranks alongside Scott County (26.84) as the region's safest, both well ahead of Polk County (46.12). Your northern Arkansas location in mountainous terrain provides natural protection that lower-elevation counties don't enjoy.

Wildfire and earthquake minor

Wildfire risk (67.97) is Searcy County's highest metric, though still moderate in national terms, while earthquake risk (56.65) is manageable. Flood risk (20.99) is exceptionally low, and hurricane risk (17.23) is minimal—your remoteness from coasts provides real safety.

Maintenance beats preparation

Your main task is preventive: maintain defensible space around your home to reduce wildfire risk, and secure heavy furniture to walls as a basic earthquake precaution. Standard homeowners insurance is sufficient; your exceptional risk profile means you can skip specialized earthquake or flood policies.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Searcy County

via WaterByCounty

Searcy County Struggles with Water Violations

The county has earned an 'F' grade following 20 health violations over the last five years. Searcy's violation rate of 317.9 per 100,000 residents is nearly double the state average of 172.5. This high rate indicates significant risk in the public drinking water supply.

Strong Watershed Health Despite Impairments

Only 8.8% of assessed water bodies in Searcy County are impaired, well below the state average of 17.8%. The 2022 assessment identified E. coli and pH as the primary issues for the 19 failing sites. Most of the 217 assessed waters remain in good condition.

Exceptional Monitoring Network with 52 Sites

Searcy County is highly scrutinized, with 52 monitoring sites producing 18,402 measurements. The data focus includes physical characteristics, nutrients, and inorganics. This broad network provides excellent geographic coverage for identifying potential contamination.

Buffalo River Running at One-Third Capacity

The Buffalo River near St. Joe is currently discharging 356 cfs, which is 33% of its long-term mean. Historically, the river averages 1,093 cfs at this location. This significant drop in flow affects both local ecosystems and river recreation.

Prioritize Filtration and Health Advisories

Residents should use water filtration or home testing due to the high rate of health violations. In the watershed, be cautious of E. coli during periods of low flow on the Buffalo River. Monitoring local health department notices is essential for those relying on public or private water.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Searcy County

via WeatherByCounty

Searcy County's Elevated, Cooler Climate

Searcy County maintains a 58.0°F average annual temperature, which is much closer to the national median than southern Arkansas. It is also drier than many neighbors, with 47.8 inches of annual rain.

Among the Coolest in Arkansas

With an average temperature of 58.0°F, Searcy County is significantly cooler than the Arkansas average of 61.0°F. It is also notably drier, receiving about 4.6 inches less rain than the state average.

Cooler and Drier Than the Capital

Searcy is nearly four degrees cooler on average than Pulaski County. It also sees far less rain, recording 47.8 inches compared to the 52.2 inches seen in the central part of the state.

Mild Summers and Shivering Winters

Summer heat is relatively mild for the region, with 53 days over 90°F and a July average of 78.3°F. Winter is more pronounced, with 4.2 inches of snow and a January average of 36.5°F.

Planning for Mountain Weather

Residents should prepare for colder winters than much of the state, as January averages just 36.5°F. Winterizing pipes and maintaining heating systems is a higher priority here than in the southern counties.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Searcy County

via SoilByCounty

Ozark Plateau soils with high acidity

Searcy County has an average soil pH of 5.50, which is acidic compared to the national median of 6.5. This level is typical for the Arkansas Ozarks and is just below the state average of 5.56. The soil is shaped by the rugged topography and ancient geological processes of the northern highlands.

Sand-heavy texture with moderate clay

With 39.7% sand and 33.7% silt, this soil has a slightly coarser feel than many other Arkansas counties. The 16.0% clay content provides some necessary binding, but the sand ensures that the soil doesn't become overly compacted. This mix allows for good aeration, which is vital for healthy root systems.

Record-breaking organic matter levels

Searcy County features a remarkable 9.23% organic matter, more than double the state average of 4.15%. This suggests a rich, biologically active soil that is excellent for sequestering carbon. However, the available water capacity is low at 0.116 in/in, meaning the soil may drain too quickly during dry weeks.

Navigating subaqueous drainage conditions

The dominant drainage is listed as subaqueous, a unique classification that often indicates soils formed under shallow water or in very wet depressions. This suggests that while some areas are very high in organic matter, they may also face significant saturation issues. Proper site selection is critical for any permanent structures or orchards.

Cooler nights in hardiness zone 7b

The 7b hardiness zone offers a slightly shorter but cooler growing season than southern Arkansas, perfect for berries and greens. A soil score of 43.8 is the second-highest in this group, reflecting the incredible fertility of the local organic matter. Dig into your high-carbon soil today and start a thriving mountain garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Searcy County

via LawnByCounty

Arkansas' Most Accessible Lawn Conditions

Searcy County leads this group with a lawn difficulty score of 44.4, significantly easier than the state average of 37.3. While it is still below the national median of 50.0, the Zone 7b climate is very forgiving. Homeowners here have a distinct advantage over most of the state.

Ideal Rainfall and Manageable Heat

The county receives 47.8 inches of rain annually, which falls perfectly within the 30-50 inch ideal range. With 53 extreme heat days, it is cooler than the state average of 64, reducing summer stress on turf. A lower 4,391 growing degree day count means slightly less frequent mowing than in southern counties.

Subaqueous Soils Require Drainage Care

Searcy's soil has a pH of 5.50 and is classified as subaqueous in drainage, which can lead to standing water issues. The soil consists of 39.7% sand and 16.0% clay, a texture that generally supports root health if drainage is managed. Addressing low spots in your yard is key to preventing grass rot in this environment.

Severe Drought Challenges Searcy County

Despite a good rainfall average, 100% of the county is currently in severe drought after 29 dry weeks this year. Subaqueous soils can be tricky during droughts as they may crack when they finally dry out. Deep watering is necessary to keep roots alive until the regular rainfall patterns return.

Start Your Lawn in Late April

A later last frost on April 14th means you should be patient before beginning spring lawn work. Zone 7b allows for a wide range of grasses, including Zoysia, which handles both the heat and the cooler winters well. Plan to have your lawn established by October 26th when the first frost typically arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Searcy County's county score?
Searcy County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 64.2 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 Searcy County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Searcy County ranks #3 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 Searcy County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Searcy County is $517, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Searcy County a tax score of 88.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Searcy County?
The median household income in Searcy County, Arkansas is $41,978 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Searcy County earns an income score of 4.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Searcy County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Searcy County scores 64.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Searcy 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 Searcy County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.