RANK #437 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 13 AR · POP 127,479
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Saline County, Arkansas, is perhaps best known for its historical significance in bauxite mining, an industry that once supplied over 90% of the aluminum ore in the United States. Located in central Arkansas, with its county seat in Benton, Saline County sits just southwest of Little Rock, making the state capital easily accessible for commuters. The community offers a blend of suburban amenities and rural charm, with the Saline River providing opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Local parks like Benton's Riverside Park and Bryant's Bishop Park offer extensive recreational facilities, including walking trails, sports fields, and aquatic centers.
Life in Saline County is characterized by a family-oriented atmosphere and a growing economy. Many residents are families and young professionals who appreciate the highly-rated public school districts, such as Benton and Bryant, and the relatively low crime rates. While a significant portion of the workforce commutes to nearby Little Rock, the county is experiencing its own economic development, with new retail, restaurants, and hospitality projects underway in Benton. The area's economic landscape is diversifying beyond its mining past, with growth in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing, supported by local initiatives aimed at attracting businesses and fostering community growth.
Saline County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.8% YoY, population +1.4%, wages +2.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 20.3x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Saline County scores 56/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#437). Median household income is $79,046 and job growth is running at +3.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Saline County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $221,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,033/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Saline County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.8% clip. Home values shifted +2.8% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.4% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Saline County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.