Arkansas Cities by Population 2026

Arkansas’s local governance system is a unique blend of municipalities and county governments, designed to meet the needs of both urban and rural populations. This dual structure ensures that residents throughout the state access essential services and representation.

The state has a total of 502 municipalities, which include cities and towns classified based on their population size. These municipalities are divided into three main categories.

First-class cities, with populations exceeding 2,500, are the largest municipalities in Arkansas. Examples include Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville. These cities have well-developed local governments capable of providing a wide range of services, including public safety, utilities, and infrastructure projects. Larger first-class cities often have the resources to be self-sufficient and handle comprehensive urban planning and community services independently.

With populations ranging from 500 to 2,499, second-class cities offer essential services like public safety, utilities, and road maintenance. Examples include Jonesboro and Camden. While they may rely on county governments for certain services, especially in less densely populated areas, they effectively manage local issues within their jurisdictions.

As the smallest category of municipalities, towns have populations under 500. Their local governments focus on necessities and often depend on county governments for additional support in law enforcement and infrastructure maintenance. Examples of towns include Gillett and St. Charles.

County governments play a crucial role in Arkansas‘s local governance system, especially in unincorporated areas. These areas, which lack local municipal governments, rely on county governments for essential services such as law enforcement, infrastructure maintenance, and tax collection.

In rural counties like Cross County and Clay County, county sheriff’s offices handle law enforcement duties, while the county government is responsible for maintaining roads, bridges, and public infrastructure. Additionally, these counties manage property tax collection and provide public services, including education and social programs.

Arkansas has several unincorporated areas, primarily located in rural parts of the state where the population density is insufficient to justify the formation of a municipality. These unincorporated regions include parts of the Ozarks and the Mississippi River Delta. In these areas, the county government serves as the primary provider of services, ensuring that residents have access to necessary support even without local municipal governance.