RANK #43 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 13 AR · POP 128,900
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
Sebastian County, Arkansas, stands out for its unique dual county seats: Fort Smith, the state's second-largest city, and Greenwood. This western Arkansas county, bordering Oklahoma, is situated in the Arkansas River Valley, with its southern edge touching the Ouachita Mountains. The Arkansas River forms its northern boundary. Commutes within the county are generally short, with an average one-way trip of under 20 minutes. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including over 7.5 miles of paved trails and 14 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails at Ben Geren Regional Park, one of the largest county parks in Arkansas. Fishing in the Arkansas River is also a popular activity.
Life in Sebastian County offers a family-friendly environment with a relatively low cost of living. The public schools in the county are highly rated, with districts like Greenwood and Fort Smith receiving positive reviews. The economy, historically tied to coal mining and the Fort Chaffee military base, has diversified. While the overall Arkansas economy has recently grown faster, Sebastian County continues to see steady gains in business establishments and average weekly wages. The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith also contributes to the local economy by providing a skilled workforce.
Sebastian County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.5% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x 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.
Sebastian County ranks #43 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 96/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $57,790 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Sebastian County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $176,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $886/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Sebastian County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +3.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.93% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sebastian County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.