RANK #642 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 13 AR · POP 75,272
1YR FORECAST: +4.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: -6%
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.
Lonoke 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 +4.1% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 20.9x — 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: 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 1001 counties.
At 35/100, Lonoke County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $72,828 combined with job growth of +2.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Lonoke County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $193,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,025/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Lonoke County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.5% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +4.1% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.65% 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.