St. Francis scores 31 points above national median
At 65.6, St. Francis County's composite score is substantially above the national median of 50.0, indicating above-average livability compared to U.S. counties overall. Strong tax and housing affordability drive this performance.
2 / 5
Tied below the Arkansas midpoint
St. Francis County's score of 65.6 falls below the state average of 70.3, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Arkansas counties. It offers solid value but faces fiercer competition within the state.
3 / 5
Low taxes and affordable rents shine
St. Francis County offers an effective tax rate of 0.540% (Tax Score: 87.1) and very affordable housing, with median gross rent at $791 per month (Cost Score: 84.8). Median home values of $87,700 keep homeownership accessible.
4 / 5
Incomes and health scores lag behind
Median household income of $41,784 yields the second-lowest Income Score at 10.7, severely limiting economic mobility. A Health Score of 50.2 also suggests gaps in healthcare quality or access.
5 / 5
Suits remote workers and pensioners
St. Francis County works best for individuals with reliable external income—remote workers, Social Security beneficiaries, or retirees with pensions. The county's affordability is exceptional, but limited local wage opportunities require income independence.
St. Francis scores 31 points above national median
At 65.6, St. Francis County's composite score is substantially above the national median of 50.0, indicating above-average livability compared to U.S. counties overall. Strong tax and housing affordability drive this performance.
Tied below the Arkansas midpoint
St. Francis County's score of 65.6 falls below the state average of 70.3, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Arkansas counties. It offers solid value but faces fiercer competition within the state.
Low taxes and affordable rents shine
St. Francis County offers an effective tax rate of 0.540% (Tax Score: 87.1) and very affordable housing, with median gross rent at $791 per month (Cost Score: 84.8). Median home values of $87,700 keep homeownership accessible.
Incomes and health scores lag behind
Median household income of $41,784 yields the second-lowest Income Score at 10.7, severely limiting economic mobility. A Health Score of 50.2 also suggests gaps in healthcare quality or access.
Suits remote workers and pensioners
St. Francis County works best for individuals with reliable external income—remote workers, Social Security beneficiaries, or retirees with pensions. The county's affordability is exceptional, but limited local wage opportunities require income independence.
Score breakdown
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🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
St. Francis County offers affordable property taxes
St. Francis County's 0.540% effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.86%, placing it in the lower third of US counties. The median property tax of $474 represents only 18% of the national median, making this an exceptionally affordable place to own property.
Right at Arkansas average
St. Francis County's 0.540% effective rate nearly matches Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, making it representative of typical Arkansas tax burden. Its median property tax of $474 falls notably below the state median of $705.
Lowest-taxed county in this region
St. Francis County's $474 median property tax is the lowest among the eight counties examined, with an effective rate of 0.540% that beats most regional neighbors. Only Sevier County (0.480%) and Stone County (0.353%) offer lower effective rates, but their higher home values mean St. Francis offers the best raw-dollar bargain.
Expected annual tax on median home
A typical St. Francis County homeowner with an $87,700 property pays approximately $474 annually in property taxes. Mortgage holders typically pay around $510, while non-mortgage owners pay closer to $443.
Verify your assessment even at low rates
St. Francis County's affordability is no reason to skip a reassessment check—even modest overassessments add up over time. Request a professional appraisal from your assessor to confirm your $87,700 property value reflects current market conditions.
St. Francis County renters spend 22.7% of income on housing—4.6 percentage points above the national average. With a median income of just $41,784, this represents the tightest squeeze in the region, leaving residents with less discretionary income.
Least affordable in Arkansas
St. Francis County's 22.7% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds the Arkansas average of 18.1%, making it the least affordable county in this analysis. At $791 monthly rent on $41,784 income, residents dedicate a disproportionate share to housing.
Expensive rents, tight incomes
St. Francis County's $791 rent ranks among the highest in this set while incomes rank among the lowest at $41,784. The combination creates the region's worst affordability crisis, with renters paying more while earning less than most peers.
Rent dominates the budget
Renters pay $791 monthly while homeowners spend $617, a $174 gap favoring ownership. With median home value at just $87,700—the lowest in the region—buying could provide relief for those able to secure financing.
St. Francis demands careful planning
St. Francis County's 22.7% rent-to-income ratio signals tight affordability; consider it only if your income exceeds the county median or if homeownership is immediately feasible. Compare costs to Sevier (16.9%) or Sevier (16.9%) for perspective.
St. Francis County's median household income of $41,784 trails the national median of $74,755 by over $33,000, or 44 percent. The county faces one of the steepest income challenges relative to national benchmarks.
Among state's lowest earners
At $41,784, St. Francis County's median household income falls nearly $10,000 below Arkansas's state average of $51,156. The county represents one of the economically challenged regions within the state.
Struggling compared to peers
St. Francis County households earn roughly $10,000 less than Union County ($50,221) and nearly $15,000 less than Sevier County ($51,641). The county's income position reflects limited employment opportunities and agricultural dependence.
Housing costs strain budgets
At 22.7 percent, St. Francis County's rent-to-income ratio is among the highest regionally, signaling housing cost pressure despite the lowest baseline income. With a median home value of $87,700, affordability is technically accessible but leaves little financial margin.
Invest in opportunity creation
St. Francis County residents should prioritize skills development and educational attainment to expand career options and earning potential. Community organizations and workforce programs offer pathways to higher-paying employment; aggressive pursuit of these opportunities is essential for wealth building.
St. Francis County's 70.4-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by a striking 6 years—among the widest gaps in Arkansas. With 33.5% of residents reporting poor or fair health—nearly double the national average—the county faces a severe chronic disease burden.
Arkansas's lowest life expectancy county
St. Francis County ranks at the bottom of Arkansas counties with a 70.4-year life expectancy, 1.9 years below the state average of 72.3 years. The county's 33.5% poor or fair health rate is the highest statewide, pointing to systemic barriers in healthcare access and prevention.
Isolated by geography, challenged by health outcomes
St. Francis County's 70.4-year life expectancy is 3.1 years lower than Union County (70.4 years nearby), and its 33.5% poor or fair health rate far exceeds all regional peers. This clustering of poor outcomes suggests shared barriers—likely economic hardship, isolation, and limited provider networks—that compound across the county.
Coverage gaps amid provider scarcity
At 10.9% uninsured, St. Francis County hovers near the state average, but only 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents serve a population with significant chronic disease burden. With 371 mental health providers per 100,000, the county does offer behavioral health support, yet the mismatch between need and primary care capacity limits overall wellness gains.
Securing coverage is a critical first step
St. Francis County residents face outsized health challenges that begin with ensuring full insurance coverage; visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore your options. Medicaid eligibility has expanded in Arkansas—many uninsured residents may qualify for zero-cost or low-cost plans that enable regular checkups and disease management.
St. Francis County's composite risk score of 74.75 exceeds the national average, reflecting above-typical hazard exposure across multiple hazard types. The county earns a relatively low-risk designation but sits at the higher end of that category. This elevated positioning is driven by exceptional tornado and earthquake vulnerabilities.
Mid-to-high risk ranking in Arkansas
St. Francis County scores 74.75, significantly above Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it among the state's riskier counties. The county ranks in the upper tier of Arkansas disaster risk, with particularly acute vulnerabilities. This standing reflects exposure patterns distinct from much of the rest of the state.
Substantially riskier than regional peers
St. Francis County's score of 74.75 far exceeds neighboring Crittenden County and eastern Arkansas counties typical of the Delta region. The county faces notably higher earthquake risk (90.62) and tornado risk (96.25) than immediate neighbors. Its exceptional tornado vulnerability distinguishes it within the broader northeast Arkansas area.
Tornadoes pose exceptional threat
Tornado risk in St. Francis County reaches 96.25—among the nation's highest and representing an extraordinary severe weather threat. Earthquake risk of 90.62 is likewise exceptional, creating significant structural vulnerability concerns. Flood risk is comparatively low at 41.19, though the county's flat Delta terrain requires monitoring.
Install safe rooms and robust coverage
St. Francis County residents face the state's most severe tornado risk at 96.25, making a residential safe room or shelter essential for safety. Homeowners insurance must include comprehensive windstorm and hail coverage; additional endorsements are strongly advised. Earthquake insurance is critical given the 90.62 risk score—among the highest in Arkansas.