What is the downfall of living in Arkansas?
Asked by: Hilda Grady | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (30 votes)
Disadvantages of living in Arkansas include extreme heat/humidity, frequent tornadoes, prevalent bugs (ticks, spiders, termites), and potential for severe weather like hail/ice storms, plus lower wages, limited job diversity (outside NWA), high sales tax, poor public education scores, healthcare access issues, and higher crime rates, with rural areas lacking amenities and homes often lacking basements.
What are the cons of living in Arkansas?
25 Cons of Living in Arkansas
- Extreme Weather. ...
- Limited Public Transportation. ...
- High Sales Tax. ...
- Limited Job Opportunities in Rural Areas. ...
- High Poverty Rates in Some Areas. ...
- Limited Entertainment Options. ...
- Low Population Density. ...
- Limited Cultural Diversity.
What are the biggest problems in Arkansas?
With 50 being the worst and one being the best, Arkansas ranks:
- 50th – adult obesity in women and teen births.
- 49th – physical inactivity, diabetes, and smoking in adult women.
- 47th – adverse childhood experiences, and infant mortality.
- 46th – maternal mortality.
- 44th – child mortality.
- 42nd – low birthweight live births.
Why does Arkansas have a bad reputation?
Arkansas is socially stigmatized along with the other former slave states of the Confederacy. The presence of the Ku Klux Klan in the years which immediately followed the Civil War and events such as the Elaine Race riot continued to affirm the state's reputation for racism.
What is the leading cause of death in Arkansas?
The leading cause of death in Arkansas is heart disease, consistently ranked number one, followed by cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases, with accidents (unintentional injuries) also being a major factor, especially for younger age groups. Heart disease accounts for a significant percentage of total deaths, driven by risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity prevalent in the state.
Thinking of Moving to Arkansas or Oklahoma? WATCH THIS First
What crime is Arkansas known for?
Larceny theft: Arkansas has a rate of 1,602.7 or 18.9% above the national average. Larceny is the most common property crime in the state.
What is the safest place in Arkansas to live?
A closer look at the safest cities in Arkansas
101 cities in Arkansas met the criteria for ranking. Nearly every safest city experienced a decline in violent crime, property crime, or both. The top three cities in our list—Cave Springs, Austin, and Pottsville—reported zero murders, rapes, and robberies.
Why is Arkansas not a good state to retire in?
Extreme weather: Arkansas can experience extreme weather conditions, including tornadoes and ice storms, which can be a concern for some retirees. Limited job opportunities: For retirees who may want or need to continue working part-time, job opportunities can be limited in some areas of Arkansas.
Is Arkansas liberal or Republican?
History since 1992
However, the state has voted Republican by increasing margins in every presidential election since 1996, the longest such streak of any state in the nation, as of 2024.
Is Arkansas paying $10,000 to move there?
For example, the Northwest Arkansas Council's Life Works Here program, which began in November 2020, offered individuals $10,000 (and a free bicycle) to move to northwest Arkansas and stay in the area for at least six months.
What city in Arkansas has the worst crime?
What city in Arkansas has the highest crime rate? Pine Bluff has Arkansas's highest violent crime rate (15.2 per 1,000). Little Rock leads in total crimes due to its larger population.
Is Arkansas a white or black state?
Arkansas is predominantly a white state, with White (non-Hispanic) residents making up the largest racial group, around 71-78% of the population, while Black residents form the largest minority group at roughly 15-16%, making it a state with significant Black populations concentrated in certain areas but still majority white overall.
Does Arkansas have a drug problem?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, Arkansas had a drug overdose death rate of 24.8 per 100,000 people, which represented a significant rise over previous years. In 2021, Arkansas had approximately 760 drug overdose deaths (a 20% increase from the previous year).
What to know before moving to Arkansas?
Moving To Arkansas: 22 Things You Need To Know First
- Arkansans Are Obsessed With The Hogs. ...
- Float Trips Down The River Are Better Than Any Pool Day. ...
- Rotary Tillers Move A Bit Faster Here. ...
- The Boggy Creek Monster Is Always Watching. ...
- You Might Have To Buy A Gun To Fit In. ...
- The Nature Here Is Super Underrated.
What are Arkansas winters like?
With high temperatures usually in the mid 40s to lower 50s and overnight lows in the 20s and 30s, the winter months are chilly but bearable. Outbreaks of very cold temperatures sometimes occur sending temperatures below zero on occassion, but these extreme cold spells are often short-lived.
What is Arkansas's stance on gun control?
§ 5-73-109. Open carry is legal without a permit. Arkansas honors the carry licenses/permits of every other state. Permitless carry is legal in Arkansas provided the firearm is not being carried “for use with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ the handgun, knife, or club as a weapon against a person.”
How is Arkansas's education system ranked?
Arkansas ranks as the 32nd smartest state on the Morgan Quitno Smartest State Award, 44th in percentage of residents with at least a high school diploma, and 48th in percentage of bachelor's degree attainment.
What is the economy like in Arkansas?
Six Fortune 500 companies are based in Arkansas, including the world's #1 corporation by revenue, Walmart. Arkansas's per capita income for 2023 was $54,347, and the median household income was $55,432, which ranked 47th among U.S. states.
What is the most unfriendly state for retirees?
#1 Illinois. Although Illinois is often thought of as a cultural hotspot, with suburban living and wine trails to enjoy, this state has significant long-term debts, unfunded pension liabilities, and big budget imbalances. These complications make Illinois our pick as the worst state for retirees.
Why would anyone want to live in Arkansas?
Arkansas offers a lower cost of living, plenty of natural beauty, and a slower pace that appeals to many. Outdoor lovers will appreciate the hiking trails, lakes, and mountains, while those looking for affordability will find housing prices well below the national average.
What is the poorest part of Arkansas?
Arkansas's poverty rates vary considerably by county. The counties with the highest poverty rates are Phillips, Desha, Chicot, Nevada, and Lee, which all had poverty rates above 30% in 2016. The counties with the lowest poverty rates are Saline, Benton, Lonoke, Grant, and Baxter, which all had poverty rates under 14%.
What is the number one crime in Arkansas?
In 2024 in Arkansas, 80% of all violent crimes were aggravated assaults; 12.1%, rapes; 6.7%, robberies; and 1.3%, murders. Arkansas ranked fourth among states for high violent crime rates (579 offenses per 100,000 people).
What is the prettiest town in Arkansas?
While beauty is subjective, Eureka Springs and Hot Springs are frequently cited as Arkansas's prettiest towns, with Eureka Springs known for Victorian architecture, art, and Ozark charm, while Hot Springs offers historic bathhouses within a National Park setting. Other contenders include Jasper, nestled in the Ozarks near the Buffalo River, and scenic towns like Mena, Mountain View, and Siloam Springs, each offering unique natural or historic appeal.
What city in Arkansas is paying you to move there?
Yes, several cities in Arkansas, including West Memphis, Texarkana, and Fort Smith, offer incentives like cash, down payment assistance, and perks (like free memberships or hotel stays) to attract new residents, particularly remote workers, though some monetary incentives for Fort Smith have ended, replaced by community benefits. These programs aim to boost population and economic growth, often requiring applicants to meet criteria like full-time remote employment and moving within a certain timeframe.