York
RANK #69 / 996 NAT · #2 / 13 AR · POP 74,292
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
Lonoke County, Arkansas, distinguishes itself as the only county in the state where the county seat shares its name. Located in central Arkansas, about 22 miles east of Little Rock, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and convenient access to a larger metropolitan area. Commuting to Little Rock is a common option for many residents, with travel times around 30 minutes by car via Interstate 40. The northern part of the county, including towns like Cabot, Austin, and Ward, serves as a bedroom community for those working in Little Rock and at the Little Rock Air Force Base. The landscape varies, with rolling hills in the north and fertile prairie land in the middle, ideal for agriculture and aquaculture. Outdoor recreation opportunities include local parks and access to trails like the Arkansas River Trail for hiking and biking.
Life in Lonoke County often appeals to families seeking a quieter environment with highly rated public schools. The community maintains a rural feel, where many residents own their homes. The economy is largely supported by agriculture, particularly rice and soybeans, and aquaculture, with the Joe Hogan Fish Hatchery being a notable institution. Local industries, schools, and government jobs also contribute to the economic picture. Recently, there has been investment in renewable energy, with large-scale solar projects under development within the county, contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 8.0x — 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.
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Downstream Solar Energy Center
Invenergy
|
$600M | Planned |
|
WEST MEMPHIS EHV - KEO EHV 500.0kV Wind Project
Undisclosed
|
$348M | Planned |
|
Beautyberry Solar and Storage
OnPeak Power
|
$100M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lonoke County ranks #69 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 93/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +2.4% and a median household income of $68,078 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Lonoke County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $169,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $944/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Lonoke County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.4% clip. Home values shifted +2.2% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.17% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lonoke County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.