Upper
RANK #150 / 996 NAT · #6 / 13 AR · POP 128,184
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
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.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — home prices are low 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sebastian County ranks #150 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 85/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.2% and a median household income of $54,047 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Sebastian County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $154,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $805/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Sebastian County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.2% YoY). Home values moved +2.9% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.76% 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.