Description: Generally positive trend. The percent of Arkansans living below poverty level decreased from 19.7% in 2013 to 16.1% in 2020, before increasing slightly to 16.8% in 2022.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates.  Table S1701.

Although the percentage of individuals below 200% FPL has been decreasing slowly over the past decade, Arkansas still ranks 46th out of 50 states, with New Hampshire 1st (7.2%) and  Mississippi 51st (19.1%).

In 2022, Arkansas ranked 46th in the nation for the percentage of people who had incomes below the poverty line ($27,750 for a family of four). 

In 2022, more than 1 out of 5 children (22.1%) under 18 living in related families had incomes below the poverty line, making Arkansas 46th in the nation.

Ethnic and racial minorities are disproportionately affected by poverty with 29.0% of non-Hispanic African Americans (alone) and 20.4% of Hispanic Arkansans (any race) living below the poverty line compared to 13.9% of the non-Hispanic White (alone) population.

Poverty is associated with poor health outcomes. It influences environmental exposures and health-related behaviors and is linked to an increased risk of mortality and chronic disease. Those with incomes below the federal poverty level may struggle to consistently meet their basic needs such as stable housing, food and health insurance coverage. The negative implications of poverty are far-reaching and include reduced access to health care services, decreased access to healthy food, lower rates of physical activity and higher rates of chronic disease and death.

https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/household_poverty/state/AR