Arkansas
AR · Data from 2022–2023 government sources · Southeast
Arkansas, the Natural State, is defined by its diverse landscapes — from the rugged Ozark and Ouachita Mountains to the fertile Mississippi River Delta. Hot Springs National Park, the only national park located within a city, has drawn visitors to its thermal waters for centuries. The state blends Southern hospitality with a pioneering spirit shaped by its frontier heritage.
Think you know Arkansas? Test your geography skills.
History
Arkansas takes its name from the Quapaw people, interpreted through French pronunciation. The territory was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836. During the Civil War, Arkansas was a Confederate state with divided loyalties — many in the northwestern Ozarks supported the Union. In 1957, Little Rock became the center of the desegregation crisis when nine Black students integrated Central High School under federal escort, a landmark moment in Civil Rights history.
Economy
Arkansas has a diverse economy anchored by six Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart (headquartered in Bentonville), Tyson Foods, and Dillard's. Agriculture is significant, with Arkansas ranking first nationally in rice production and among the top states for poultry and catfish. The state also has a growing technology sector, driven partly by the economic influence of Walmart and its supply chain ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas.
Geography & Landmarks
Arkansas covers 53,179 square miles with terrain that ranges from the mountainous northwest to the flat Delta lowlands in the east. The Ozark Plateau and Ouachita Mountains provide dramatic bluffs, caves, and forested highlands. The Buffalo National River, America's first national river, flows through 135 miles of pristine Ozark wilderness. Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro is the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public. The Ouachita Mountains are unique among North American mountain ranges for their east-west orientation, stretching from central Arkansas into southeastern Oklahoma. Blanchard Springs Caverns, a living cave system in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, features two levels of stunning limestone formations open to guided tours.
Hot Springs National Park — Mitch Smith
Source: NPS API
Culture & Traditions
Arkansas has a deep musical heritage, from the delta blues of Helena-West Helena — which hosts the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival honoring the legendary radio show — to the folk and bluegrass traditions of the Ozark Mountains. The state's culinary identity centers on Southern comfort food, with fried catfish, chocolate gravy and biscuits, and cheese dip (reportedly invented in Little Rock's Mexico Chiquito restaurant in 1935) as beloved staples. The University of Arkansas Razorbacks football and basketball programs inspire fierce devotion, with fans calling the Hogs in a distinctive chant heard across War Memorial Stadium and Bud Walton Arena. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, designed by Moshe Safdie and opened in 2011, has transformed Northwest Arkansas into a nationally recognized arts destination with free admission to its permanent collection.
Notable Cities
Little Rock
CapitalThe state capital and largest city, known for the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and the William J. Clinton Presidential Library.
202,218
Population
$58,697
Median income
$205,800
Home value
$1,006
Median rent
36.6
Median age
4.4%
Unemployment
54.4%
Homeownership
33,820
Bachelor's+
Bentonville
Home to Walmart's global headquarters and the world-class Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Alice Walton.
Hot Springs
A resort city built around thermal springs in the Ouachita Mountains. Hot Springs National Park's historic Bathhouse Row is a National Historic Landmark.
Fayetteville
Home to the University of Arkansas. Part of the booming Northwest Arkansas metro, consistently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S.
Fort Smith
Located on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border, once a gateway to the frontier. The Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves the story of Judge Isaac Parker's court.
Capital city data: Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)
Intel File · Fun Facts
Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro is the only place in the world where the public can search for real diamonds and keep what they find.
Walmart, the world's largest company by revenue, was founded by Sam Walton in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962.
The Buffalo National River in Arkansas was the first river in the United States to receive National River designation in 1972.
Hot Springs National Park is the oldest federally protected area in the U.S. — the hot springs were set aside by Congress in 1832, predating Yellowstone by 40 years.
Arkansas is the only state where you can visit an active diamond mine open to the public.
Data & Statistics
Demographics
- Population
- 3,018,669
- Median income
- $56,335
- Median age
- 38.4
- Median home value
- $162,400
- Below poverty line
- 475,729
- Bachelor's degree+
- 317,437
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022)
Agriculture
- Total farms
- 37,756
- Cropland
- 7,940,501 acres
- Market value
- $13,899M
Source: USDA NASS, Census of Agriculture (2022)
Public Health
- Obesity rate
- 40.0%
- Diabetes rate
- 14.5%
- Smoking rate
- 15.0%
- High blood pressure
- 42.5%
- Uninsured
- 10.6%
Source: CDC BRFSS Prevalence Data (2023, 2022 fallback)
National Parks & Sites
- National parks
- 1
- Total NPS sites
- 9
- Sites
- Arkansas Post National Memorial, Buffalo National River, Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Pea Ridge National Military Park, President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site, Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail
Source: National Park Service API
Climate
- Avg temperature
- 60.5°F
- Avg high
- 71.8°F
- Avg low
- 49.6°F
- Annual precipitation
- 50.8 in
- Annual snowfall
- 2.8 in
Source: NOAA Climate Normals (2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Arkansas?▾
Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas. It is the state's largest city and is located near the geographic center of the state along the Arkansas River.
How do you pronounce Arkansas?▾
Arkansas is pronounced 'AR-kan-saw.' In 1881, the state legislature passed a resolution declaring this the official pronunciation, settling a longstanding debate. The final 's' is silent.
What is Arkansas known for?▾
Arkansas is known for Walmart (headquartered in Bentonville), Hot Springs National Park, Crater of Diamonds State Park, the Ozark Mountains, rice production (ranked #1 nationally), and its role in Civil Rights history at Little Rock Central High School.
What are the main natural attractions in Arkansas?▾
Arkansas's top natural attractions include Hot Springs National Park, the Buffalo National River, Crater of Diamonds State Park, Blanchard Springs Caverns, the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, and Devil's Den State Park.
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau · USDA NASS · CDC BRFSS · National Park Service · NOAA CDO
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. This product uses the NASS API but is not endorsed or certified by NASS.
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