Palestine, AR — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
St. Francis County · Arkansas
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Palestine based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
665
2023 ACS
Median Income
$34,896
2023
Median Home Value
$57,600
2023
Median Rent
$663
2023
Median Age
38.7
Unemployment
7.4%
Cost of Living Index
63.4
100 = national avg
Palestine is a city in St. Francis County, Arkansas, with a population of 665 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Palestine is one of the communities in Arkansas.
The median household income in Palestine is $34,896, and the median home value is $57,600. The cost of living index is 63.4 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $663 per month. The unemployment rate is 7.4%, and the median age is 38.7 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
665
Male
306
46.0%
Female
359
54.0%
Median Age
38.7
Age Distribution
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
6.3%
High School or Higher
33.2%
Foreign Born
0.0%
Veterans
1.8%
Married
32.9%
Avg Household Size
2.7
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.269
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
84.8%
Foreign Born
0.0%
Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
650
English Only
99.5%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
3 speakers
Limited English
0.0%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
100.0%
Limited English Proficiency
0.0%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
12
1.8% of population
Disability Rate
0.0%
Veteran Median Income
$40,833
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
12
100.0%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$40,833
Non-Veteran Income
$33,250
Difference
$7,583
22.8% higher
Disability Status
Without Disability
12
Disability Rate
0.0%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
221
#1 Ancestry
English
12.8% (85)
#2 Ancestry
Irish
11.9% (79)
#3 Ancestry
European
3.6% (24)
Top 6 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
251
Family Households
187
74.5%
Married Couples
111
44.2%
Non-Family Households
64
25.5%
Single Mother Households
72
28.7%
Single Father Households
4
1.6%
Living Alone
62
24.7%
Children Under 18
Total Children
182
In Married Couple
94
51.6%
With Single Mother
74
40.7%
With Single Father
14
7.7%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$36,979
Married Couple Income
$74,063
Single Mother Income
$28,929
Avg Family Size
2.7
Avg Non-Family Size
3.0
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
28
Grandparents Responsible
14
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$34,896
-52% vs national
Per Capita Income
$19,493
-48% vs national
Poverty Rate
32.5%
+139% vs national
Gini Index
0.4130
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
7.4%
+42% vs national
SNAP Recipients
25.1%
of households
How Palestine Compares
Palestine vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Palestine is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Palestine, AR has a median household income of $34,896, making it the 26,505th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher median household income than 6% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Palestine, AR has a per capita income of $19,493, making it the 26,203rd highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher per capita income than 7% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Palestine, AR has a poverty rate of 32.5%, making it the 2,495th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher poverty rate than 92% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Palestine, AR has a unemployment rate of 7.4%, making it the 6,763rd highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher unemployment rate than 78% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Palestine. The median household income here is $34,896.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
+21% vs AR avg
Labor Force
298
Employed
276
Mean Commute
16 min
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
6.3%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
33.2%
of adults 25+
Median Age
38.7
Work from Home
2.6%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Arkansas metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Registered Nurses
Top Median Wage
$77.1K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
63.4
100 = national avg
-36.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$27,896
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$65,935
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$703
per month
2 Bedroom
$923
per month
The median household income in Palestine, AR is $34,896, which is 52.3% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $19,493. The poverty rate of 32.5% is higher than the AR state average of 19.2%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4130, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 7.4%, compared to the state average of 6.1%. The labor force is 298. 6.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 16 minutes, with 2.6% working from home. About 92.0% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 63.4, which is 36.6% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 53.2. A single adult needs to earn approximately $27,896 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — April 2025
Median Sale Price
$20,000
Median List Price
N/A
Price Per Sq Ft
$15
Days on Market
20
Active Inventory
N/A
Zillow Home Value
$122,671
ZHVI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
0.0%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
0.0%
Sale-to-List Ratio
66.7%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
1
Pending Sales
1
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$15
Palestine vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Palestine is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Palestine, AR has a median home value of $57,600, making it the 26,738th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher median home value than 4% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Palestine, AR has a median rent of $663, making it the 19,558th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher median rent than 12% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Palestine, AR has a price per square foot of $15, making it the 20,620th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher price per square foot than 1% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Palestine, AR has a rent burden of 22.8%, making it the 5,363rd highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Palestine has a higher rent burden than 76% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$57,600
Median Rent
$663
Total Housing Units
274
Vacancy Rate
8.4%
Owner Occupied
69.7%
Renter Occupied
30.3%
Median Property Tax
$375
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$387
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$375
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.65%
of home value
Median Home Value
$57,600
Estimated Mean Tax
$285
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($375) by the median home value ($57,600). In Palestine, AR, this works out to an effective rate of 0.65%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Palestine, AR is $20,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 20 days on the market. 0.0% of homes sold above asking price. The median price per square foot is $15. The median rent is $663 per month (Census ACS). About 69.7% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1986. There are 274 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $375. The effective tax rate is 0.65%, below the national average.
Crime data is not yet available for Palestine. The FBI UCR/NIBRS program does not cover all jurisdictions.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
74.7
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
58.7
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
99.0
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
11.6
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
22
Public Assistance
$1.2M
Individual Assistance
$2.9M
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
7 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
Showing 20 of 22 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
27
Total Claims Paid
$446,887
Avg Claim Payout
$16,551
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
2
Federal Funding
$25,500
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.4: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - NEW | 1 | $25,500 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $0 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Palestine has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are tornado, earthquake, ice storm. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (7 declarations). 27 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,245,575 in public assistance recovery funding. $2,944,069 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
40.6%
4.5pp above the national average
Depression Rate
24.0%
0.5pp above the national average
Diabetes Rate
15.2%
3.3pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
10.6%
near the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
39.1%
Arthritis
32.9%
Cancer (excl. skin)
9.7%
Teeth Lost (65+)
27.4%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
18.4%
14+ days in past month
Depression
24.0%
Loneliness
34.5%
Lack of Support
27.9%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
41.2%
Mobility
20.6%
Cognitive
18.5%
Hearing
10.0%
Vision
6.6%
Self-Care
5.1%
Independent Living
10.8%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Palestine has an obesity rate of 40.6%, which is 4.5pp above the national average. The depression rate is 24.0%, 0.5pp above the national average. About 10.6% of adults lack health insurance. 80.4% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
4
Avg CMS Rating
3.0 / 5
Nearest Hospital
9.3 mi
Forrest City Medical Center
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest City Medical Center | 9.3 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Crossridge Community Hospital | 18.4 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden, Inc | 42.8 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Perimeter Behavioral Hospital Of West Memphis | 42.8 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
| Unity Health - Newport | 45.9 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
1
Pop. Served
1,649
Violations (5yr)
0
No violations
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| PALESTINE WATER ASSOCIATION | 1,649 | 0 |
There are 1 water system serving the area.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Mean Commute
16 min
-34% vs national
Drive Alone
92.0%
+17% vs national
Work From Home
2.6%
-72% vs national
Carpool
5.3%
How Palestine's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
The average commute in Palestine, AR is 16 minutes, which is 33.8% below the national average of 23 minutes. 92.0% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 2.6% work from home, which is below the AR state average of 5.8%. 5.3% of workers carpool.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
84.5%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
58.2%
of households
No Internet
10.8%
of households
Total Households
251
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
97.2%
of households
Smartphone
89.2%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
68.9%
of households
Tablet
60.2%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
12.3¢
per kWh
-35% vs Under 10,000 avg
Commercial Rate
10.2¢
per kWh
-34% vs Under 10,000 avg
Industrial Rate
6.6¢
per kWh
-44% vs Under 10,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$129
residential
-12% vs Under 10,000 avg
28% below the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in Arkansas averages 12.3¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $129. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Palestine vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (Under 10,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
1
Population Served
1,649
Violations (5yr)
0
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PALESTINE WATER ASSOCIATION | Community | Purchased ground water | 1,649 | 0 |
84.5% of households in Palestine have broadband internet access. 58.2% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 24.3% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 10.8% of households have no internet access. 13.9% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 1 water system, providing water to 1,649 people. No water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Palestine is located in St. Francis County, AR. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Palestine.
Election Overview
Source: St. Francis County (2024)2024 Winner
Democrat
Dem Votes
2,953
49.4%
GOP Votes
2,909
48.6%
Total Votes
5,979
Margin
D+0.7%
Shift from 2020
R+4.4pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,953 | 2,909 | 5,979 | 49.4% | 48.6% | D+0.7 |
| 2020 | 3,604 | 3,242 | 7,108 | 50.7% | 45.6% | D+5.1 |
| 2016 | 4,031 | 3,195 | 7,412 | 54.4% | 43.1% | D+11.3 |
In the 2024 presidential election, St. Francis County recorded 5,979 total votes. Democrats won the county with 49.4% of the vote compared to 48.6% for Republicans, a margin of D+0.7%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+4.4pp from the previous election. Since 2016, St. Francis County has shifted 10.5 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
6
Total Assets
$526K
Total Income
$666K
Per 10K Residents
90.2
nonprofits
-48.5% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
0
Median Assets
$263K
Oldest Active
1964
ruling year
Newest Org
2025
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationNonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population Under 10,000
Largest Nonprofits in Palestine
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF| Organization | Category | Assets | Income | Est. | IRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAST DAYZ MINISTRY INC | Religion | $466K | $466K | 2025 | |
| NTNTZ INC | Human Services | $59K | $200K | 2014 |
Palestine, AR has 6 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $526K. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 2 organizations. That works out to 90.2 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1964.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
5
Total Approved
$652K
Jobs Supported
15
Per 10K Residents
75.2
SBA loans
-71.8% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
4
Top Lender
First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas
2 loans
Top Industry
Wholesale Trade
Data Span
1995–2023
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
5
Total Amount
$652K
Avg Loan
$130,440
Median Loan
$50,000
SBA Guaranteed
$493K(76%)
Jobs Supported
15
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
1
20% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$457K
70% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$457,200
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population Under 10,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Express of Palestine Llc | 1 | $457K |
| Cr Smalls and Company Llc | 1 | $100K |
| J & J Marketing Inc. | 1 | $50K |
| Mathes Movers | 1 | $30K |
| Heath Farms Trucking Llc | 1 | $15K |
Palestine, AR has received 5 SBA loans totaling $652K in approved funding between 1995 and 2023. The 7(a) program accounts for 5 loans (100% of the total), supporting 15 jobs. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Wholesale Trade. The most active SBA lender in Palestine is First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas with 2 loans. That works out to 75.2 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
4
Total Population
18,342
Avg Median Income
-$166,635,066
Avg Home Value
$81,175
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72322 | 89 | $36,500 | $68,000 | N/A | 0.2 |
| 72335 | 16,514 | $39,045 | $92,700 | $814 | 159.0 |
| 72340 | 43 | N/A | $85,900 | N/A | 6.3 |
| 72372 | 1,696 | $50,857 | $78,100 | $679 | 123.3 |
Palestine, AR has 4 ZIP codes with a combined population of 18,342. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$166,635,066. The average median home value is $81,175. The average median monthly rent is -$333,332,960.
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