Living in Charleston, Arkansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charleston · Census data 2020–2024
Charleston has 2,646 residents with a median age of 37.6. The median household income is $56,600 (7% lower than the Arkansas median), the median home value is $156,300, the median rent is $764/month.
Charleston at a glance
- Population
- 2,646
- Median age
- 37.6State: 38.5
- Median household income
- $56,600State: $60,773
- Median home value
- $156,300State: $188,000
- Median rent
- $764/moState: $947
- Homeowners
- 72.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.5%
- Average commute
- 35 min
Is Charleston a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 17% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.6%; a poverty rate of 9.9%.
Cons: Median household income 7% lower than the Arkansas median; an average commute of 35 minutes.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Charleston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Charleston the median home value is $156,300, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $764 per month, which is 24.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,375 a month in housing costs.
Charleston median household income
The median household income in Charleston is $56,600 and the income per person is $27,303. 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Arkansas: 16%).
Housing in Charleston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,111
- Owner-occupied
- 72.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.8%
- Vacant
- 6.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.45
Charleston demographics
- Population
- 2,646
- Median age
- 37.6
- Under 18
- 29.6%
- 65 and older
- 19.6%
- Households
- 1,040
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 9.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charleston ›
Education in Charleston
21.5% of adults 25 and older in Charleston have a bachelor's degree or higher (Arkansas: 25.7%), and 3.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charleston
- Unemployment rate
- 1.6%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 35 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 7.8%
- Drive alone
- 75.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.8%
Charleston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 2,646 | $56,600 | $156,300 | $764 |
| Branch | 317 | $37,500 | $45,000 | $725 |
| Lavaca | 2,489 | $80,924 | $162,300 | $923 |
| Caulksville | 195 | $39,375 | $158,300 | $850 |
| Central City | 627 | $69,583 | $134,700 | $1,141 |
| Greenwood | 9,616 | $66,844 | $182,900 | $836 |
| Booneville | 3,798 | $50,459 | $112,200 | $774 |
| Barling | 5,007 | $54,387 | $140,000 | $1,128 |
| Kibler | 1,085 | $58,500 | $210,100 | $807 |
More for people moving to Charleston
Charleston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charleston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charleston, AR?
The median household income in Charleston is $56,600, 7% lower than the Arkansas median of $60,773 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Charleston?
The median home value in Charleston is $156,300, compared with $188,000 in Arkansas.
How much is rent in Charleston?
The median gross rent in Charleston is $764 per month, about 24.9% of household income.
Is Charleston, AR a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 17% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.6%; a poverty rate of 9.9%. Minuses: median household income 7% lower than the Arkansas median; an average commute of 35 minutes.
What is the median age in Charleston?
The median age in Charleston is 37.6 years (Arkansas: 38.5).
How long is the commute in Charleston?
The average commute to work in Charleston is 35 minutes; 7.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charleston?
The unemployment rate in Charleston is 1.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charleston?
21.5% of adults in Charleston have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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