Van Buren County's composite score of 71.4 clearly exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the better-performing U.S. counties. Strong tax and housing affordability underpin this solid overall score.
2 / 5
Outperforms the Arkansas average
At 71.4, Van Buren County exceeds the state average of 70.3, securing a position in the upper tier of Arkansas counties. It ranks among the state's stronger livability options.
3 / 5
Low taxes and reasonable housing costs
Van Buren County offers the lowest effective tax rate at 0.460% in this group (Tax Score: 89.3) and solid housing affordability with median home values of $122,300 (Cost Score: 86.7). Median gross rent of $727 per month keeps rental costs minimal.
4 / 5
Income potential trails state norms
Median household income of $47,266 yields an Income Score of 14.2, limiting wage opportunities and economic advancement. The Risk Score of 49.4 suggests moderate exposure to economic or demographic challenges.
5 / 5
Excellent for budget-minded families
Van Buren County suits families and retirees seeking maximum tax efficiency and housing affordability within Arkansas. Its competitive state ranking and balanced scores make it an attractive choice for those with stable income from outside sources.
Van Buren County's composite score of 71.4 clearly exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the better-performing U.S. counties. Strong tax and housing affordability underpin this solid overall score.
Outperforms the Arkansas average
At 71.4, Van Buren County exceeds the state average of 70.3, securing a position in the upper tier of Arkansas counties. It ranks among the state's stronger livability options.
Low taxes and reasonable housing costs
Van Buren County offers the lowest effective tax rate at 0.460% in this group (Tax Score: 89.3) and solid housing affordability with median home values of $122,300 (Cost Score: 86.7). Median gross rent of $727 per month keeps rental costs minimal.
Income potential trails state norms
Median household income of $47,266 yields an Income Score of 14.2, limiting wage opportunities and economic advancement. The Risk Score of 49.4 suggests moderate exposure to economic or demographic challenges.
Excellent for budget-minded families
Van Buren County suits families and retirees seeking maximum tax efficiency and housing affordability within Arkansas. Its competitive state ranking and balanced scores make it an attractive choice for those with stable income from outside sources.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛89.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Van Buren County's 0.460% effective tax rate ranks in the lowest 20% nationally, well below the 0.86% national median. The median property tax of $562 represents just 21% of the national median, making this one of America's most affordable places for property ownership.
Below Arkansas average rate
Van Buren County's 0.460% effective rate falls below Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, placing it among the state's more affordable counties. Its median property tax of $562 sits below the state median of $705.
Second-lowest tax rate in region
Van Buren County's 0.460% rate ranks second-lowest in this eight-county comparison, trailing only Stone County's 0.353%. Its $562 median tax beats most regional peers, offering strong affordability despite a median home value of $122,300.
Expected annual tax on median home
A typical Van Buren County homeowner with a $122,300 property pays approximately $562 annually in property taxes. Mortgage holders typically pay around $636, while non-mortgage owners pay closer to $527.
Reassess your property value regularly
Van Buren County's low rates make it easy to overlook assessment accuracy, but overassessments still occur. Contact your assessor to verify your $122,300 property value is current—even small corrections compound into meaningful savings over time.
Van Buren County renters spend 18.5% of income on housing, just 0.4 points above the national average of 18.1%. With a median income of $47,266—37% below the national figure—residents manage this slight premium through a lower-cost rural economy.
Slight premium to state average
Van Buren County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio marginally exceeds the Arkansas average of 18.1%, placing it among the more affordable counties. Its $727 rent tracks close to the state median, offering accessible housing.
Middle of the pack on costs
Van Buren County's $727 rent sits mid-range between cheaper counties like Sharp ($648) and pricier ones like Union ($825). Income at $47,266 is also middle-ground, creating balanced affordability comparable to Sevier County.
Ownership beats rent significantly
Homeowners in Van Buren County pay $577 monthly, $150 less than renters, making ownership a strong value. The median home value of $122,300 offers reasonable entry to homeownership for those saving down payments.
Van Buren offers balance
Van Buren County delivers solid middle-ground affordability with rent-to-income at 18.5%, near national norms. Consider it if you want moderate housing costs and moderate incomes, or prioritize homeownership to unlock $150 monthly savings.
Van Buren County's median household income of $47,266 trails the national median of $74,755 by over $27,000, or 37 percent. The county faces substantial income headwinds relative to national economic benchmarks.
Trailing Arkansas average income
At $47,266, Van Buren County's median household income falls approximately $3,890 below Arkansas's state average of $51,156. The county represents a below-average performer within the state's economic landscape.
Lower income than major neighbor
Van Buren County households earn roughly $9,200 less than Sebastian County ($56,450) but about $5,200 more than Sharp County ($42,950). The county's proximity to Fort Smith offers some economic support but doesn't fully close the income gap.
Housing costs reasonable
Van Buren County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5 percent indicates manageable housing affordability, positioning the county favorably within its region. At a median home value of $122,300, homeownership remains within reach for typical households.
Capture regional opportunities
Van Buren County's proximity to Fort Smith creates employment and career advancement opportunities; residents should actively pursue higher-wage positions in neighboring areas. Combine stable local housing costs with targeted upskilling to maximize wealth-building potential.
Van Buren County's 73.9-year life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but the county's 27.0% poor or fair health rate—50% above the national average—reveals significant chronic disease burden. This gap between longevity and wellness underscores the need for stronger prevention and management strategies.
Above state average but stressed by disease
Van Buren County's 73.9-year life expectancy exceeds Arkansas's 72.3-year state average by 1.6 years, placing it among the healthier counties statewide. However, its 27.0% poor or fair health rate remains elevated, suggesting unmet prevention needs among residents with chronic conditions.
Strong life span, sparse primary care network
Van Buren County's 73.9-year life expectancy rivals nearby Stone County (74.0 years) and Sebastian County (73.5 years), but its 26 primary care providers per 100,000 rank among the lowest in the region. This provider shortage likely forces residents to delay preventive visits and rely on urgent care for chronic disease management.
Modest uninsured rate, critical provider gap
Van Buren County's 10.4% uninsured rate sits slightly above the state average, but the real challenge is access: only 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents serve a population managing significant chronic disease. Mental health support is more limited too, with just 93 providers per 100,000, below the state capacity needed.
Insurance is the foundation for care
Uninsured residents in Van Buren County should explore healthcare.gov and Arkansas Medicaid options immediately to secure coverage and reach available providers. With provider scarcity, telehealth and nurse hotlines accessed through insurance plans become especially valuable tools for managing health between in-person visits.
Van Buren County's composite risk score of 50.57 sits below the national average, classifying it as relatively low-risk. The county experiences modest natural disaster exposure compared to most American counties. This favorable positioning reflects a balanced hazard profile with no exceptionally severe vulnerabilities.
Below-average risk within Arkansas
Van Buren County scores 50.57, clearly below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it among the state's safest counties. The county ranks favorably for overall disaster risk compared to most Arkansas areas. This positioning reflects reduced composite hazard exposure relative to state trends.
Among the safest nearby counties
Van Buren County's score of 50.57 is competitive with Stone County (49.87) and substantially lower than Sebastian County (86.80). The county experiences notably lower tornado and earthquake risks than immediately adjacent areas to the east. Its geographic location in the northwestern Ozarks contributes to this comparative safety advantage.
Tornadoes and wildfires require monitoring
Tornado risk in Van Buren County scores 82.70, creating the primary severe weather threat despite being below-average nationally. Wildfire risk reaches 75.19, creating secondary exposure during dry periods, particularly in forested portions of the county. Earthquake risk of 76.88 is moderate but warrants structural awareness.
Standard coverage handles primary hazards
Van Buren County homeowners should maintain insurance with adequate windstorm and hail coverage for the 82.70 tornado risk—typically included in standard policies. Wildfire insurance or endorsements are worth considering if your property borders forested areas, given the 75.19 wildfire score. A basic tornado safety plan and weather alert subscription will adequately address the county's main disaster risks.