CountyScore

Yell County

Arkansas · AR

#35 in Arkansas
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Yell County, Arkansas

Yell County ranks solidly above national norms

Yell County's composite score of 71.0 places it 42 percentiles above the national median of 50.0, marking it as an above-average county for livability. The county outperforms the vast majority of American counties across its measured dimensions.

Slightly ahead of Arkansas's statewide average

With a score of 71.0, Yell County ranks just above the state average of 70.3 and holds a competitive position among Arkansas's 75 counties. The county is solidly mid-to-upper tier statewide.

Tax efficiency and balanced affordability shine

Yell County combines a tax score of 87.7 and an effective tax rate of 0.517% with a cost score of 87.8, creating broad affordability. At $131,300 for median home value and $653 per month rent, the county remains accessible while offering better income levels than neighbors.

Health and income growth remain modest

The health score of 58.3 suggests room for improvement in public health outcomes and medical access. While the income score of 21.8 and median household income of $58,870 are the highest of the three counties, they still lag national benchmarks.

Best fit for practical families seeking balance

Yell County appeals to families valuing a mix of affordability, low taxes, and reasonable local incomes without needing metropolitan amenities. It's a solid choice for those seeking a rural small-town lifestyle with better income stability than ultra-rural peers.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax87.7Cost87.8SafetyComing SoonHealth58.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk41.1WaterComing Soon
🏛87.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Yell County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Yell County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Yell County

via TaxByCounty

Yell County sits between national extremes

Yell County's effective tax rate of 0.517% slightly undercuts the national median of 0.89%, placing it around the 35th percentile. The median property tax of $679 remains roughly one-quarter of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both modest tax rates and lower home values.

Slightly below Arkansas's state average

Yell County's 0.517% rate trails Arkansas's state average of 0.532% by a small margin, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state. Its median tax of $679 sits just below the state median of $705, reflecting relatively typical tax conditions for rural Arkansas.

Middle ground in regional tax landscape

Yell County's 0.517% rate sits directly between White County's favorable 0.477% and Woodruff County's elevated 0.576%, offering middle-of-the-road tax efficiency. With a median home value of $131,300, it balances property values and rates more evenly than its neighbors.

Your typical annual tax payment

On a median home valued at $131,300, Yell County homeowners pay approximately $679 annually without mortgage escrow, or $875 when taxes are part of monthly payments. That breaks down to roughly $57–$73 per month depending on your financing structure.

Check if you're overassessed

Many Yell County homeowners carry inflated property assessments that don't reflect current market conditions, making them eligible for tax relief through formal appeals. A reassessment review could uncover savings worth hundreds of dollars over several years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Yell County

via CostByCounty

Yell County's Rent Bargain Beats National Average

Yell County renters spend just 13.3% of income on rent—nearly 5 percentage points better than the national average and among the best affordability ratios in the nation. At $653 monthly, Yell's median rent sits 14% below Arkansas's state average of $760, creating genuine breathing room for households earning $58,870 annually. This strong affordability position reflects a county where housing costs align well with local wages.

Among Arkansas's Most Affordable Counties

Yell County's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks in the top tier statewide, outperforming the Arkansas average of 18.1% and signaling exceptional affordability for renters. The median home value of $131,300 offers homebuyers reasonable entry costs without requiring six-figure down payments. Combined with the state's second-lowest median rent at $653, Yell County positions itself as a premier value destination within Arkansas.

The Goldilocks Zone for Value

Yell County splits the difference between Woodruff ($595 rent, lowest) and White ($806 rent, highest), offering moderate pricing with the highest household incomes ($58,870) of the three. At $653 monthly rent, Yell costs just 9.8% more than Woodruff but 19% less than White, making it the middle-ground choice for budget seekers with slightly stronger earning power. Homebuyers find Yell's median home value ($131,300) positioned between Woodruff ($96,800) and White ($159,600).

How Yell County Budgets Housing

Renters allocate $653 monthly (13.3% of income) to housing, the lowest burden among the three counties and well below the 18% sustainability threshold. Homeowners spend $595 per month (12.2% of income), reflecting strong affordability even when carrying a mortgage on a median home valued at $131,300. After housing, a typical Yell County household has $48,570 annually for transportation, food, healthcare, and savings.

Yell County for Quality-of-Life Seekers

Yell County offers the best combination of affordability and earning potential among these three Arkansas options—solid incomes ($58,870) paired with low housing ratios (13.3%). If you're relocating and want to avoid the lowest-income areas while still enjoying exceptional rent affordability, Yell County delivers on both fronts. Compare its $653 rent and $58,870 median income to Woodruff's and White's figures to see why Yell balances value with opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yell County

via IncomeByCounty

Yell County Closes National Income Gap

Yell County's median household income of $58,870 exceeds Arkansas's state average but still trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,885. The county ranks in the middle tier of U.S. counties, showing stronger earning potential than many rural peers.

Yell County Leads Arkansas Peers

Yell County's $58,870 median household income outpaces the state average of $51,156 by $7,714, ranking it in the upper third of Arkansas counties. This performance reflects stronger local employment and economic activity compared to most state counterparts.

County Leads Regional Income Rankings

Yell County's $58,870 median household income significantly exceeds both White County ($53,435) and Woodruff County ($49,982). The $9,888 advantage over Woodruff makes Yell the income leader among these three regional counties.

Lowest Housing Burden in Region

Yell County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% is the most favorable of the three counties, with housing costs taking up just one-eighth of typical household earnings. The median home value of $131,300 remains accessible, supporting housing stability and affordability.

Invest in Future Financial Growth

Yell County residents enjoy the strongest relative income position and lowest housing burden, creating ideal conditions for long-term wealth building. With housing costs controlled, households can aggressively pursue retirement savings, home equity, and investment portfolio diversification.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yell County

via HealthByCounty

Yell County leads on life expectancy

Yell County's 73.9-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Arkansas and beats the U.S. average of 71.4 years by more than two years. Yet 26.6% of residents report poor or fair health, above the national 21% baseline, indicating underlying health challenges despite long lifespans.

Best longevity in this comparison

At 73.9 years, Yell County leads all three counties and the state average of 72.3 years by 1.6 years, a significant longevity advantage. However, its uninsured rate of 11.9% is notably higher than both the state average (9.9%) and the other two counties in this analysis.

Moderate access, minimal mental health support

Yell County's 60 primary care providers per 100,000 are competitive with the region, but its mental health provider density of just 60 per 100,000 is the lowest among these three counties. Residents seeking behavioral health care face a significant access disadvantage compared to White County's 237 mental health providers per 100,000.

Coverage gaps risk health security

Nearly one in eight Yell County residents (11.9%) lack health insurance, the highest uninsured rate among these three counties and well above state average. This coverage gap means roughly 4,300 residents face potential medical debt and limited access to preventive care, undermining the county's otherwise strong life expectancy gains.

Don't leave coverage to chance

Yell County's 11.9% uninsured rate is a call to action: visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans you can afford. Uninsured coverage isn't just a financial buffer—it's the foundation for preventive care that keeps life expectancy climbing.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yell County

via RiskByCounty

Yell County sits near state baseline

Yell County's composite risk score of 58.94 ranks as relatively low, sitting just slightly above Arkansas's state average of 55.51. This moderate profile reflects balanced exposure across multiple hazards without extreme concentrations in any single category.

Close to average among Arkansas counties

With a score of 58.94 versus the state average of 55.51, Yell County clusters near the middle of Arkansas's risk distribution. The county ranks well below the most hazardous areas but exceeds safer counties like Woodruff.

Moderate risk between two extremes

Yell County's 58.94 score positions it squarely between low-risk Woodruff County (42.27) and high-risk White County (85.72), representing a middle ground in the region. This balanced exposure reflects diverse hazards without the extreme concentrations found in either neighbor.

Tornadoes and floods top concerns

Tornado risk of 81.14 and flood risk of 64.85 represent Yell County's primary natural disaster threats, both significant enough to warrant preparation. Wildfire risk at 68.19 adds a third notable concern, particularly during dry seasons.

Ensure comprehensive coverage now

Standard homeowners insurance covers wind damage from tornadoes but often excludes or limits flood coverage—you'll need a separate flood policy given the 64.85 flood risk score. Review coverage annually and verify wind/hail protection are adequate for Yell County's tornado exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.