Jefferson County, Arkansas: commercial real estate data.
Jefferson County, Arkansas had an estimated 63,672 residents on July 1, 2024, down 5.3 percent since the 2020 census base of 67,258, across 871 square miles. County output reached $3.46 bn in 2024, 1,199 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 29 7(a) approvals worth $28.1 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Jefferson County
How many people live in Jefferson County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202464,802
- Households24,017
- Average household size2.70
- Median household income$51,096
- Median age39.7
- Median gross rent$888 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$113,400
- Home value to household income2.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income20.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher20.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree5.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over44,396
- Population under 1813,906
- Share under 1821.5 percent
- Population 65 and over12,051
- Share 65 and over18.6 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6438,845
- Civilian labor force26,966
- Unemployment rate8.1 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over53.0 percent
- Rank by population among Arkansas counties11th of 75
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included853rd of 3,222
Jefferson County is the 11th largest of 75 Arkansas counties by population. A median home costs 2.2 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.5 percent against 18.6 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Jefferson County
Is Jefferson County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202463,672
- Census 2020 base population67,258
- Population change since the 2020 census base-5.33 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024133
- Births, 2024729
- Deaths, 2024862
- Natural change, 2024-133
- Net domestic migration, 2024196
- Net international migration, 202468
- Total net migration, 2024264
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-2,603
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents3004th of 3,144
The county has lost 5.33 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Jefferson County
Where are people moving to Jefferson County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,226
- People arriving, from those returns2,185
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,627
- Net household movement-401
- Adjusted gross income arriving$48.5 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-17.8 m
- Average income of an arriving household$39,563
- Average income of a leaving household$40,722
- Largest single originPulaski County (239 households)
- Largest single destinationPulaski County (390 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski County | 239 | 431 | $7.6 m |
| Lincoln County | 63 | 125 | $2.3 m |
| Grant County | 60 | 101 | $1.9 m |
| Saline County | 47 | 91 | $2.7 m |
| Arkansas County | 33 | 65 | $1.1 m |
| Cleveland County | 32 | 59 | $1.5 m |
| Lonoke County | 28 | 53 | $936,000 |
| Dallas County | 28 | 53 | $556,000 |
Households arriving report $1,159 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Pulaski County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Jefferson County
What is the Jefferson County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$3.46 bn
- County GDP, 2023$3.57 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 2024-3.0 percent
- GDP change over five years13.4 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Arkansas areas BEA publishes11th of 75
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes897th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$53,404
Output grew -3.0 percent in the latest year and 13.4 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Jefferson County
Employment by industry in Jefferson County
- Covered employment, annual average25,233
- Establishments reporting1,655
- Average annual pay$51,569
- Average weekly wage$992
- Manufacturing, employment4,105
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$70,591
- Retail trade, employment2,766
- Retail trade, average annual pay$32,400
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,471
- Administrative and support and waste management services, average annual pay$40,705
- Finance and insurance, employment632
- Finance and insurance, average annual pay$61,593
- Wholesale trade, employment532
- Construction, employment472
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 4,105 | 51 | $70,591 |
| Retail trade | 2,766 | 262 | $32,400 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,471 | 72 | $40,705 |
| Finance and insurance | 632 | 72 | $61,593 |
| Wholesale trade | 532 | 63 | $59,993 |
| Construction | 472 | 84 | $53,545 |
| Other services, except public administration | 369 | 99 | $41,891 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 318 | 40 | $57,381 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 4,105 jobs, 16.3 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Jefferson County
How many businesses are in Jefferson County?
- Establishments, all industries1,199
- Employment at those establishments18,269
- Annual payroll$904.9 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents18.5
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Jefferson County
Building permits in Jefferson County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202463
- Declared construction value permitted$9.2 m
- Single family units authorized53
- Multifamily units authorized10
- Multifamily share of units15.9 percent
- Average declared value per unit$145,363
- Units authorized per 1,000 households2.6
Single-family homes are 84.1 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Jefferson County
SBA loans in Jefferson County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded29
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$28.1 m
- Average 7(a) approval$968,624
- Median 7(a) approval$255,200
- 10th percentile approval$28,640
- 90th percentile approval$3,398,800
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)70
- Jobs per approval2.4
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active12
- Distinct industries receiving approvals13
- Median 7(a) term180 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer20.7 percent
- Loans on real estate terms6
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter12
- Franchise loans0
- Franchise share of approvals0.0 percent
- Leading industry by approval countBroilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production (14)
- Most active lenderFirst Service Bank (11)
- 504 approvals recorded2
- 504 gross approval dollars$3.9 m
- Average 504 approval$1,957,000
- Median 504 approval$1,957,000
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval8.5
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved4.3
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$32.0 m
The average approval of $968,624 sits well above the median of $255,200, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 20.7 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Jefferson County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Jefferson County
Do SBA loans in Jefferson County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded2
- Paid in full1
- Charged off1
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Exempt from disclosure22
- Status: Paid in full1
- Status: Cancelled2
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
Only 2 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Jefferson County
SBA lending by place in Jefferson County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending4
- Pine Bluff, approvals25
- White Hall, approvals2
- Jefferson, approvals1
- Redfield, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Bluff | 25 | $22,863,500 |
| White Hall | 2 | $206,600 |
| Jefferson | 1 | $5,000,000 |
| Redfield | 1 | $20,000 |
Pine Bluff accounts for 25 approvals against 2 in White Hall. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Jefferson County
How large is Jefferson County?
- Land area871 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Arkansas counties9th of 75
- Width, east to west45 mi
- Height, north to south29.7 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land74
- Establishments per square mile1.38
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Jefferson County
Flood risk in Jefferson County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Jefferson County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 050440
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 9
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book8
- Of those, participating in the NFIP8
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 9
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Jefferson County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Jefferson County (community 050440), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 9, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Jefferson County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 9, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Jefferson County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Jefferson County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202464,802
- Households24,017
- Average household size2.70
- Median household income$51,096
- Median age39.7
Common questions
Jefferson County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Jefferson County, Arkansas?
The Census Bureau estimates 63,672 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 64,802, in 24,017 households, ranking 11th of 75 Arkansas counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Jefferson County's population growing?
The population has fallen 5.33 percent since the 2020 census base of 67,258, to 63,672 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 729 births against 862 deaths, with net migration of 264. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Jefferson County?
$51,096. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $113,400, which is 2.2 times income, and median gross rent is $888 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Jefferson County?
1,199 establishments, employing 18,269 people with an annual payroll of $904.9 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Jefferson County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 4,105 jobs, 16.3 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 25,233 jobs at an average annual pay of $51,569, or $992 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Jefferson County?
29 7(a) approvals totaling $28.1 m since FY2020, across 12 lenders, with a median approval of $255,200, plus 2 504 approvals worth $3.9 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Jefferson County?
63 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $9.2 m. Multifamily was 15.9 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Jefferson County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Jefferson County come from?
The largest single origin is Pulaski County, with 239 households. Arriving households report an average income of $39,563 against $40,722 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Jefferson County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Jefferson County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Jefferson County
Cities and places in Jefferson.
9 Census places lie wholly or partly in Jefferson County. All 9 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Bluff | city | 39,743 | 25 | Wholly in this county |
| White Hall | city | 5,512 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Redfield | city | 1,734 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Sulphur Springs | CDP | 564 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Altheimer | city | 517 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Wabbaseka | town | 360 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Humphrey | city | 220 | None recorded | 24.2 percent here, 75.8 percent Arkansas County |
| Tucker | CDP | 73 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Sherrill | town | 41 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 29 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Jefferson County, the largest being Jefferson (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby