Hot Springs
RANK #606 / 996 NAT · #11 / 13 AR · POP 100,021
1YR FORECAST: +0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
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.
Below national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.5x 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
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 996 counties.
At 39/100, Garland County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $54,229 combined with job growth of +0.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Garland County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $166,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $913/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Garland County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs +0.1%. Home values shifted -0.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.59% 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.