RANK #351 / 996 · POP 111,038 · AR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.3%
Craighead County, Arkansas, stands out for having two county seats, Jonesboro and Lake City, a unique arrangement in the state. Located in northeast Arkansas, Jonesboro, the largest city, is approximately 68 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee. The county is characterized by Crowley's Ridge, a crescent-shaped outcropping offering higher ground and natural scenery amidst the flatter alluvial plains. Outdoor recreation is available at places like Craighead Forest Park, which offers hiking, biking, fishing, and camping. Life in Craighead County is shaped by its agricultural roots and growing industries. The economy, historically reliant on farming, has diversified into manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with Arkansas State University in Jonesboro being a significant institution. Recent economic developments include investments in industrial infrastructure, such as the expansion of water service in Craighead Technology Park, and new manufacturing facilities. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with several highly-ranked elementary and intermediate schools.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Pinnacle Solar
Pedal Steel Solar
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Industrial Water Expansion (Craighead Technology Park South)
Jonesboro Unlimited, AEDC, Craighead County, Jonesboro City Water & Light
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
InnovAsian Cuisine Manufacturing Facility
InnovAsian Cuisine Enterprises Inc. (subsidiary of Nichirei Foods Inc.)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Craighead County has a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, ranking #351 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.9% and a median household income of $55,169, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Craighead County is $182,600 with median rent at $870/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3021, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.9%. Home values changed +3.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.71% of Craighead County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.