RANK #564 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 13 AR · POP 100,035
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
Garland County, Arkansas, is perhaps best known as home to Hot Springs National Park, a distinctive landmark that was the first federally protected area in the United States, established in 1832. The city of Hot Springs, the county seat, is adjacent to the park, offering a blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. Located within the Ouachita Mountains, the county features rolling forested hills and lakes, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking at spots like Lake Hamilton, Lake Ouachita, and Cedar Glades Park. Commutes within the county are generally short, with an average travel time of around 21.4 minutes.
Life in Garland County offers a mix of small-town atmosphere and access to outdoor recreation. The county's economy is supported by tourism, manufacturing, and regional medical facilities. Major investments in infrastructure and other sectors are contributing to growth, attracting businesses in diverse fields. The area's public schools are generally well-regarded, with several districts ranking highly within the state. Garland County also offers higher education options through National Park College.
Garland County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.5% matches the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Garland County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Garland Forward Street Projects
City of Garland
|
$230M | Planned |
|
Garland Forward Economic Development Initiatives
City of Garland
|
$75M | Planned |
|
Amazon Last-Mile Facility
Amazon
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Garland County scores 43/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#564). Median household income is $57,181 and job growth is running at +1.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Garland County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $194,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $966/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Garland County are hiring — job growth of +1.3% — but the population is close to flat (-0.0% YoY). Home values moved +0.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.6% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Garland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.