countyscore
50.4
County Score
Property Tax 90.5Water Quality 86Cost of Living 84

County Report Card

About Sevier County, Arkansas

Sevier County matches national livability median

Sevier County's composite score of 50.4 essentially equals the national median of 50.0, positioning it as an average U.S. county. This balanced profile reflects strengths and challenges that roughly mirror national patterns.

Slightly above Arkansas average

Sevier County scores 50.4, edging past Arkansas's state average of 47.9 and ranking in the middle tier statewide. The county performs better than many rural Arkansas peers but trails the top performers.

Exceptional affordability and tax relief

Sevier County excels with a cost score of 86.2, featuring the state's lowest median home values at $111,700 and rents at just $725/month. Its tax score of 87.9 (effective rate 0.480%) offers among Arkansas's best tax advantages.

Income and health outcomes lag behind

Sevier County's income score of 17.8 reflects a median household income of only $51,641, limiting household purchasing power. Health outcomes also need strengthening, with a score of just 13.5.

Ideal for retirees and budget strivers

Sevier County is a strong fit for cost-conscious households, retirees on fixed incomes, and those prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing. The trade-off: lower incomes and health resources mean it suits those who can manage with fewer services.

2040608010090.58438.413.52618.635.18650.6Tax90.5Cost84Safety38.4Health13.5Schools26Income18.6Risk35.1Water86Weather50.650.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Sevier County DNA

Foverall

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

Sevier County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (90.5/100) but notably weak in Health (13.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
90.5+38.5
Cost
84+36
Safety
38.4-16.6
Health
13.5-36.5
Schools
26-28
Income
18.6-32.4
Risk
35.1-11.899999999999999
Water
86+28
Weather
50.6
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Sevier County

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

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$117,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$751/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$117,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,527/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

31.7

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
Compare Sevier County with Yell County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Yell County
Arkansas
Median income: $55,934
50.4
Pike County
Georgia
Median income: $86,719
50.4
Will County
Illinois
Median income: $109,984
50.4
Warrick County
Indiana
Median income: $89,844
50.4
Greenwood County
Kansas
Median income: $60,042
50.4
Harford County
Maryland
Median income: $112,265
50.4
Newaygo County
Michigan
Median income: $63,304
50.4
Beaufort County
North Carolina
Median income: $58,357
50.4

Nearby counties

Howard County
Arkansas
54.5
Little River County
Arkansas
55
Hempstead County
Arkansas
40.8
McCurtain County
Oklahoma
41.8
Bowie County
Texas
34.5
Pike County
Arkansas
61.2
Polk County
Arkansas
51.5
Miller County
Arkansas
34.7

Deep Dives

Sevier County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sevier County

via TaxByCounty

Sevier County offers lowest-cost property taxes

At 0.480%, Sevier County's effective tax rate ranks in the lowest 10% nationally, well below the 0.86% national median. The median property tax of just $536 represents only 20% of the national median, making this among the most tax-friendly counties in America for property owners.

Lightest tax load in Arkansas

Sevier County's 0.480% effective rate is substantially below Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, ranking it among the lowest-taxed counties in the state. Its median property tax of $536 is notably lower than the state median of $705.

Second-lowest among eight regional counties

Sevier County's 0.480% rate edges out only Stone County (0.353%) in this eight-county comparison. At $536 median tax, Sevier homeowners pay less than most neighbors, with only St. Francis County and Sharp County approaching similar affordability.

Expected annual tax on median home

A typical Sevier County homeowner with a $111,700 property pays approximately $536 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay around $641, while owners without mortgages pay closer to $476.

Even low assessments can be challenged

Even in an affordable county like Sevier, some homeowners still carry overassessed properties from years past. Requesting a reassessment is free and can only lower or maintain your tax bill—it's worth checking if your $111,700 median-value property is accurately assessed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sevier County

via IncomeByCounty

Sevier County lags national earnings

Sevier County's median household income of $51,641 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by nearly $23,000, or 31 percent. The county faces significant income challenges relative to the broader U.S. economy.

Just barely above state average

Sevier County's $51,641 median household income nearly matches Arkansas's state average of $51,156, making it a middle-of-the-pack performer among state counties. The county reflects broader economic patterns common to rural southwestern Arkansas.

Income compressed across region

Sevier County's households earn roughly $5,000 more than those in neighboring Sharp County ($42,950) but about $5,200 less than Sebastian County ($56,450). The region shows relatively compressed income levels across rural communities.

Housing costs manageable

Sevier County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9 percent indicates solid housing affordability, the strongest in the region. At a median home value of $111,700, housing remains within reach for typical households.

Leverage modest income wisely

Sevier County households should prioritize building emergency savings and exploring employer retirement plans to maximize limited income growth opportunities. Consider local credit unions and financial literacy programs to strengthen money management and wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sevier County

via CrimeByCounty

Strong Safety Profile in Sevier

Sevier County earns a safety score of 97.8, significantly outperforming the national average. Its total crime rate of 1,407.6 per 100K remains well below the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the State Safety Average

The county's safety score exceeds the Arkansas state average of 96.3. Two reporting agencies manage a crime rate that is 40% lower than the state-wide average.

Safer than Regional Peers

Sevier is much safer than neighboring Union County, where the crime rate reaches 2,996.3 per 100K. It shares a similar safety profile with rural Stone County.

Theft Outpaces Violent Crime

Property crime accounts for 1,018.0 incidents per 100K, while the violent crime rate stands at 389.6. These figures suggest a community where residents are more likely to encounter theft than violence.

Maintain High Local Safety Standards

While Sevier is relatively safe, residents should still lock doors and secure outbuildings. Community awareness helps maintain the county's position as a low-crime area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sevier County

via WeatherByCounty

Sevier County Stays Warm and Humid

The county's average temperature of 62.5°F is nearly nine degrees warmer than the national median. This southern Arkansas climate features high humidity and significant annual rainfall.

Exceeding Arkansas Temperature Norms

Sevier County is warmer than the state average of 61.0°F, recording an annual average of 62.5°F. Its precipitation of 51.3 inches is just slightly below the statewide average of 52.4 inches.

Warmer Winters Than Northern Neighbors

Sevier County is significantly warmer than Scott County, particularly in the winter. Its January average of 42.4°F makes it one of the milder spots in the western part of the state.

Extended Heat and Mild Winters

Summer lasts a long time here, with 75 days reaching at least 90°F and a July average of 81.6°F. Snow is rare, with an annual average of only 2.6 inches.

Managing the Southern Heat

Residents should budget for high cooling costs to manage 75 days of extreme heat. Minimal winter gear is needed, as snowfall is rare and January temperatures stay well above freezing on average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sevier County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Soil Profiles Near the State Average

Sevier County records an average pH of 5.48, which is nearly identical to the Arkansas state average of 5.56. This level is significantly more acidic than the national 6.5 median, requiring lime for many traditional garden crops.

High Silt Content for Better Nutrient Retention

The soil composition includes 37.3% sand and 40.7% silt, providing a stable foundation for root systems. Clay makes up 19.8% of the mix, which helps the soil hold onto nutrients more effectively than sandier neighboring counties.

Strong Water Capacity Boosts Growing Potential

With an available water capacity of 0.171 in/in, this soil stores significantly more moisture than the state average of 0.148 in/in. Organic matter sits at 3.01%, providing a solid foundation for plant health despite being lower than the statewide figure.

Slow Drainage Challenges Traditional Building

The soil belongs to hydrologic group D, which indicates very slow infiltration rates when the ground is saturated. This high runoff potential requires careful site planning for both farming and home construction.

Thriving Pine and Produce in Zone 8a

Hardiness zone 8a supports a wide range of fruit and timber, with Sevier's water retention specifically benefiting thirsty summer vegetables. Local gardeners should test their soil frequently to manage the naturally low pH levels.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sevier County

via LawnByCounty

Tougher Growing Conditions in Sevier County

Sevier County scores a 38.4 for lawn difficulty, placing it near the Arkansas state average of 37.3. It is significantly more challenging than the national median of 50.0. Homeowners here in Zone 8a must contend with high acidity and extreme summer weather.

Navigating Intense Heat and High Rainfall

Residents manage 75 days of extreme heat annually, which is higher than the state average of 64 days. The 51.3 inches of annual precipitation is slightly above the ideal 50-inch threshold for most grasses. This combination creates a humid environment where moisture management is critical to prevent disease.

Amending Highly Acidic Soils

The soil pH here is quite low at 5.48, falling well short of the 6.0-7.0 range preferred by healthy lawns. While specific texture data is limited, the 19.8% clay and 37.3% sand indicate a need for regular organic amendments. Lime is essential in this county to unlock nutrients and support root development.

Fighting Severe Drought Conditions

Drought is a major concern as 100% of the county is currently experiencing severe drought (D2+). With 16 weeks spent in drought over the past year, water conservation is a daily necessity for lawn owners. Mulch-mowing can help retain soil moisture and protect roots during these harsh periods.

Starting Your Sevier County Lawn

Heat-tolerant varieties like Centipedegrass or St. Augustine are best suited for the Zone 8a climate. Wait until at least March 29th to begin spring projects to ensure the final frost has cleared. Consistent watering is vital during the establishment phase, especially given the current drought status.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sevier County's county score?
Sevier County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 50.4 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 Sevier County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Sevier County ranks #31 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 Sevier County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Sevier County is $514, with an effective tax rate of 0.44%. This earns Sevier County a tax score of 90.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sevier County?
The median household income in Sevier County, Arkansas is $53,527 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sevier County earns an income score of 18.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sevier County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Sevier County scores 50.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #31 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Sevier 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 Sevier 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.