countyscore
35.1
County Score
Property Tax 68.5Cost of Living 50.5Weather & Climate 50

County Report Card

About Sebastian County, Arkansas

Sebastian County lags national livability

With a composite score of 35.1, Sebastian County ranks below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the lower third nationally. This 30% gap suggests the county faces meaningful livability headwinds compared to typical U.S. counties.

Below average for Arkansas

Sebastian County's score of 35.1 trails Arkansas's state average of 47.9, ranking it among the weaker performers statewide. The county underperforms its neighbors across multiple livability dimensions.

Tax burden advantage stands out

Sebastian County's tax score of 68.5 reflects an effective tax rate of just 0.651%, offering residents meaningful tax relief. The county also provides moderate housing affordability, with median home values at $166,000 and rents at $854/month.

Safety and health need urgent attention

Sebastian County's safety score of 2.3 is among the lowest in the state, signaling serious public safety concerns. Health outcomes also lag significantly, with a score of 27.4, and median household income of $56,450 limits economic opportunity.

Best for tax-conscious, safety-aware movers

Sebastian County suits budget-minded residents seeking low tax burden and moderate housing costs, but it's not ideal for families prioritizing safe neighborhoods or strong schools. Prospective movers should carefully evaluate the county's safety profile before deciding.

2040608010068.550.52.327.439.528.613.226.550Tax68.5Cost50.5Safety2.3Health27.4Schools39.5Income28.6Risk13.2Water26.5Weather5035.1/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Sebastian County DNA

Foverall

How Sebastian County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Sebastian County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (2.3/100), though Property Tax (68.5/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
68.5+16.5
Cost
50.5
Safety
2.3-52.7
Health
27.4-22.6
Schools
39.5-14.5
Income
28.6-22.4
Risk
13.2-33.8
Water
26.5-31.5
Weather
50
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Compare mortgage rates in Sebastian County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$166,000

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$854/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$166,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,450/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

24.9

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

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Coconino County
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Sutter County
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Tulare County
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El Paso County
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Pierce County
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Nearby counties

Crawford County
Arkansas
43.7
Franklin County
Arkansas
52.4
Scott County
Arkansas
49.2
Logan County
Arkansas
48.5
Le Flore County
Oklahoma
37.7
Sequoyah County
Oklahoma
36.8
Haskell County
Oklahoma
50.7
Adair County
Oklahoma
45.6

Deep Dives

Sebastian County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sebastian County

via TaxByCounty

Sebastian County taxes well below national norm

At 0.651%, Sebastian County's effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.86%, putting homeowners here in the lower half nationally. The median property tax of $1,081 is less than 40% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both a lower local rate and significantly lower home values.

Higher than most Arkansas counties

Sebastian County ranks among the higher-taxed counties in Arkansas, with an effective rate of 0.651% compared to the state average of 0.532%. Its median property tax of $1,081 exceeds the state median of $705, making it one of the pricier places to own property in Arkansas.

Most expensive in this Arkansas region

Sebastian County's 0.651% rate and $1,081 median tax substantially exceed nearby Sevier County (0.480%, $536) and Van Buren County (0.460%, $562). Among the eight-county cluster examined, Sebastian ranks third-highest in effective rate, reflecting its higher median home value of $166,000.

Expected annual tax on median home

A typical Sebastian County homeowner with a $166,000 property pays roughly $1,081 annually in property taxes. For homeowners with mortgages who don't claim homestead exemptions, that figure rises to approximately $1,234.

Your home may be overassessed

Many Arkansas homeowners are assessed above actual market value and have never appealed their appraisal. If your property tax bill seems high, requesting a professional reassessment from your county assessor could uncover savings—Sebastian County residents should verify their assessment reflects current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sebastian County

via CostByCounty

Sebastian stays near the national norm

Sebastian County renters spend 18.1% of their income on housing, matching the national average exactly. However, median household income here is $56,450—25% below the national median of $74,755—which means residents earn less while paying proportionally similar rents.

Right in the Arkansas middle

Sebastian County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio ties the state average, placing it squarely in the middle of Arkansas affordability. At $854 monthly rent, it runs $94 above the state median, reflecting its larger city infrastructure in Fort Smith.

Higher costs, similar burdens

Sebastian County's $854 rent exceeds nearby Sevier County ($725) and Van Buren County ($727), yet residents here earn more—$56,450 versus Sevier's $51,641. This income advantage keeps the housing burden proportionally manageable despite steeper rents.

Split between rent and ownership

Renters pay $854 monthly while homeowners spend $831—nearly identical costs. With a median home value of $166,000 and median income of $56,450, Sebastian County offers balanced housing options for both renters and buyers.

Consider Sebastian for stability

If you're relocating to Arkansas, Sebastian County offers housing costs aligned with your income and the broader state market. Compare it to Washington County's higher costs ($1,005 rent) or Sevier County's lower prices to find your ideal fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sebastian County

via IncomeByCounty

Sebastian County's income gap

Sebastian County's median household income of $56,450 trails the national median of $74,755 by $18,305, or about 24 percent. This gap reflects Sebastian County's position in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties by household earnings, though the county performs above many rural peers.

A top earner in Arkansas

At $56,450, Sebastian County's median household income exceeds Arkansas's state average of $51,156 by $5,294. The county ranks among the stronger performers statewide, driven by its proximity to Fort Smith and a diversified employment base.

Outpacing regional peers

Sebastian County households earn $10,000 more than those in neighboring Van Buren County ($47,266) and nearly $15,000 more than Sharp County ($42,950). This income advantage reflects Sebastian's larger employment market and urban accessibility.

Housing is affordable here

At 18.1 percent, Sebastian County's rent-to-income ratio indicates healthy housing affordability—well below the 30 percent threshold that signals financial strain. With a median home value of $166,000, homeownership remains attainable for the typical household.

Build on income stability

Sebastian County's above-average state earnings position creates opportunity for wealth-building through retirement savings and homeownership. Focus on maximizing 401(k) contributions and exploring down payment assistance programs to convert your income advantage into lasting assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sebastian County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Rates Near Double National Average

Sebastian County reports a total crime rate of 4,516.9 per 100K, significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this volume, the county maintains a safety score of 92.9 out of 100.

Below the Arkansas Safety Average

The county's safety score of 92.9 sits below the Arkansas state average of 96.3. Eleven reporting agencies work across the county to manage these higher activity levels.

High Activity Compared to Neighbors

Sebastian faces a much higher crime rate than neighboring Washington County, which reports 2,326.0 incidents per 100K. The local rate is also more than triple that of rural Stone County.

Property Crimes Drive Local Numbers

Property crime dominates the landscape at 3,713.4 incidents per 100K, while violent crime stands at 803.5. Most police reports involve theft or burglary rather than physical confrontation.

Prioritize Your Home Security

High property crime rates make home security systems and exterior lighting essential deterrents. Simple steps like smart locks and community watch programs provide meaningful protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Sebastian County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Large Urban and Rural Education Network

Sebastian County supports a robust network of 42 public schools serving 20,235 students across six school districts. The infrastructure includes 24 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 9 high schools. This provides a diverse range of educational settings from the urban center of Fort Smith to surrounding rural areas.

Strong Graduation Rates Exceed State Benchmarks

The county boasts a graduation rate of 91.2%, outperforming both the state average of 90.3% and the national average of 87.0%. While the school score of 52.5 slightly beats the state average, the per-pupil expenditure of $6,218 is significantly lower than the $13,000 national median. These figures suggest a high level of efficiency in achieving academic results with available funding.

Fort Smith Leads a Multi-District System

Fort Smith School District is the county's largest provider, educating 14,291 students across 27 different schools. Greenwood School District follows as a major presence with six schools and 3,956 students. Notably, three charter schools operate in the county, accounting for about 7.1% of the local educational options.

Dynamic City Schools with Substantial Enrolled Classes

With 27 schools in city locales and 8 in rural areas, the county offers a variety of student environments and an average school size of 494 students. Northside High School is the largest campus with 2,433 students, creating a large-scale high school experience. By contrast, five schools are situated in smaller town settings, offering a tighter-knit community feel.

Find a Home Near Top-Performing Districts

Families moving to Sebastian County often prioritize homes within the highly-regarded Greenwood or Fort Smith school zones. With graduation rates well above the national average, school quality remains a primary driver for local real estate value. Explore the varied neighborhoods ranging from city centers to rural retreats to find your ideal match.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sebastian County

via RiskByCounty

Sebastian County faces above-average disaster risk

Sebastian County's composite risk score of 86.80 places it well above the national average, marking it as a relatively moderate-risk area. This score reflects significant exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and wildfires. Residents here face notably higher natural disaster risk than most Americans.

Second-highest risk county in Arkansas

Sebastian County ranks second among Arkansas counties for overall disaster risk, with a composite score of 86.80 compared to the state average of 55.51. Only one Arkansas county faces greater combined hazard exposure. This elevated standing reflects the county's vulnerability to tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Sebastian County's risk score of 86.80 substantially exceeds that of neighboring Van Buren County (50.57) and Stone County (49.87). Even compared to nearby Crawford and Franklin counties, Sebastian faces considerably greater natural disaster exposure. This concentration of risk is driven by the county's tornado and wildfire susceptibility.

Tornadoes and wildfires pose greatest threats

Tornado risk in Sebastian County scores 94.24—among the highest in the nation—making severe convective storms your most pressing hazard. Wildfire risk scores 90.36, creating secondary but serious threats to homes and infrastructure. Together, these two hazards account for much of the county's elevated composite risk score.

Secure comprehensive coverage now

Sebastian County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with robust windstorm and hail coverage given the extreme tornado risk of 94.24. Consider separate wildfire insurance or endorsements, as standard policies often exclude or limit wildfire damage. Maintaining a safe room or shelter-in-place strategy is equally critical for tornado season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Sebastian County

via WaterByCounty

Significant Health Violations in Sebastian County

Sebastian County receives a failing Grade F with 95 health violations recorded over the last five years. Despite this, its violation rate of 81.7 per 100K residents remains lower than the Arkansas state average of 172.5. Citizens should remain vigilant as this signal indicates consistent challenges with Safe Drinking Water Act compliance.

Healthy Watershed Outperforms State Average

Only 6.3% of the 208 assessed water bodies in the county are classified as impaired under the 2022 reporting cycle. This is significantly better than the state average impairment rate of 17.8%. Primary concerns for these few locations include pH levels, turbidity, and total dissolved solids.

Over 12,000 Monitoring Records Logged

A network of 11 monitoring sites tracks water quality across the county, producing 12,229 measurements in the last five years. Data collection focuses heavily on inorganics, minor minerals, and metals. This high measurement volume provides a strong foundation for local environmental oversight.

Arkansas River Flows Below Typical Levels

At the James W. Trimble Lock and Dam, the Arkansas River currently flows at 16,200 cubic feet per second. This discharge represents just 37% of the long-term mean for this primary gauge. This reduction in volume reflects drier than normal conditions for the region's main artery.

Focus on Tap Water and Flow

With a Grade F for drinking water, residents should proactively check their local water utility's annual report and consider point-of-use filtration. Because current river flows are well below typical levels, pollutants like dissolved solids can become more concentrated. Monitoring your source water quality is essential during these low-flow periods.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sebastian County

via WeatherByCounty

High Heat Levels in Sebastian County

Sebastian County's 62.4°F annual average temperature is well above the national median. It experiences a drier version of the humid subtropical climate with 47.3 inches of rain.

One of the State's Hotspots

Sebastian County is warmer than the Arkansas average of 61.0°F, posting a 62.4°F annual mark. It is also one of the drier counties in the state, falling about five inches short of the state average precipitation.

Drier and Hotter Than Neighbors

Compared to Scott County, Sebastian is over two degrees warmer and significantly drier. It faces 78 extreme heat days per year, far exceeding the 64 days seen in Scott.

Scorching Summers and Brief Winters

The county endures a grueling 78 days of temperatures at or above 90°F, with July averaging 83.1°F. Winters are mild, with a January average of 40.4°F and only 2.9 inches of snow.

Essential Summer Heat Mitigation

With 78 days of extreme heat, high-performance cooling systems and sun protection are vital for residents. Landscaping should account for the relatively lower rainfall of 47.3 inches compared to the rest of the state.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sebastian County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Ultisols Define the Sebastian Landscape

Sebastian County features fine sandy loam from the Ultisol order, reflecting highly weathered, acidic conditions. The average pH of 5.69 sits well below the national median of 6.5, though it remains slightly less acidic than the state average of 5.56.

Balanced Sand and Silt for Easy Tilling

A mix of 40.8% sand and 43.2% silt creates a soil profile that is easy to work and manage. With only 16.0% clay, this soil offers decent aeration while maintaining enough structure to prevent rapid nutrient leaching.

Low Organic Matter with Solid Water Storage

The organic matter content of 1.63% trails the state average of 4.15%, indicating a need for consistent composting. Despite this, the available water capacity of 0.152 in/in exceeds the Arkansas benchmark, keeping plants hydrated during dry spells.

Moderately Drained Soils with Slow Infiltration

The county's soils are moderately well drained and belong to hydrologic group C. These characteristics imply a slow rate of water transmission, making surface runoff a primary concern during heavy storms.

Warm-Season Staples Flourish in Zone 8a

The long growing season in hardiness zone 8a is perfect for heat-loving crops like okra and sweet potatoes. Supplementing the native soil with organic material will yield the best results for home gardeners.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sebastian County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Lawn Maintenance in Sebastian County

With a difficulty score of 45.6, Sebastian County is easier to manage than the Arkansas average of 37.3. However, it still falls slightly behind the national median score of 50.0 for lawn care ease. Growing in Zone 8a provides a long season, but local conditions require active management.

Managing High Heat and Ideal Rainfall

The county experiences 78 extreme heat days per year, significantly more than the state average of 64 days. Annual precipitation of 47.3 inches sits perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for turfgrass. This balance helps sustain growth, though the high heat days necessitate a strict irrigation schedule.

Neutralizing Acidic Fine Sandy Loam

The local soil is a fine sandy loam with a pH of 5.69, which is more acidic than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. While the soil is moderately well drained, you will likely need lime applications to balance the acidity. The 16.0% clay content helps retain some moisture, but the 40.8% sand requires consistent nutrient monitoring.

Staying Alert During Dry Spells

Sebastian County faced 11 weeks in drought over the past year, and 100% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. While severe drought is not currently a factor, these dry spells can quickly stress southern grasses. Focus on deep watering early in the morning to maximize absorption before the heat sets in.

Best Grass Choices for Zone 8a

Bermudagrass and Zoysia are the top performers here, as they handle the 78 extreme heat days with ease. Plan your seeding or sodding for late March, once the threat of the last frost on March 25th has passed. With the right warm-season variety, your lawn can thrive despite the summer sun.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sebastian County's county score?
Sebastian County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 35.1 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 Sebastian County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Sebastian County ranks #71 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 Sebastian County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Sebastian County is $1,081, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Sebastian County a tax score of 68.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sebastian County?
The median household income in Sebastian County, Arkansas is $56,450 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sebastian County earns an income score of 28.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sebastian County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Sebastian County scores 35.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #71 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Sebastian 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 Sebastian 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.