Area median income down in 2009

Estimated 2009 median income fell in all but one of the seven counties in the Fort Smith metro area, according to the American Community Survey (ACS) released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau.

But the Fort Smith region is not an exception — 70 of Arkansas’ 75 counties saw estimated 2009 median incomes fall compared to the 2000 Census.
ACS data, collected and managed by the Census Bureau, is produced every year and is an estimate based upon a survey of about 3 million households.

“Collecting data every year provides more up-to-date information throughout the decade about the U.S. population at the local community level,” noted the ACS statement.

In the ACS report, Sebastian County had a median income dip of 10.3% between 2000 ($43,625) and the 2009 estimate ($39,131). Crawford County median income was down 7.9% in the period and Franklin County saw a 21.9% decrease between 2000 ($39,710) and the 2009 estimate ($30,991).

Arkansas’ three largest and most economically active counties also saw decreases when comparing the 2000 Census to the 2009 median income estimate. Pulaski County was down 9.58% with 2009 median income at $44,370; Benton County was down 2.84% with 2009 median income at $50,377; and Washington County was down 3% with 2009 median income at $43,317.

The ACS data also provides a picture of household income sources. In Crawford County, 76% of households received earnings (wages, benefits, etc.), 18% received retirement income other than Social Security and 33% received Social Security income. The average 2009 Social Security income in Crawford County was $13,588. (Below is an ACS summary for each Arkansas county in the Fort Smith region.)

ACS data also shows that Logan County residents have the longest work commute time  among Arkansas counties in the region — 26.1 minutes. At 17.7 minutes, Sebastian County residents have the shortest commute time. The time in Crawford County is 21.4 minutes; Franklin County is 24.5 minutes; and Scott County is 24.1 minutes.

COUNTY ACS DATA
(ACS note: “The new 2005-2009 ACS estimates are not related to the 2010 Census population counts that will be released Dec. 21. The ACS complements the decennial count and provides estimates of population characteristics that are far more detailed than the basic demographic information that will be released from the 2010 Census, which will be available starting in February.”

• Crawford County
POPULATION: In 2005-2009, Crawford County had a total population of 59,000 — 30,000 (51%) females and 29,000 (49%) males. The median age was 36.4 years. Twenty-seven % of the population was under 18 years and 12% was 65 years and older.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2005-2009 there were 21,000 households in Crawford County. The average household size was 2.7 people

EDUCATION: In 2005-2009, 76% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 12% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. 24% were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

INDUSTRIES: In 2005-2009, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Crawford County were Manufacturing, 22%, and Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 21%.

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 26%; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 24%; Sales and office occupations, 23%; Service occupations, 14%; and Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations, 11%. Eighty-three percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 11% was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 6% was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

INCOME: The median income of households in Crawford County was $38,942. Seventy-six percent of the households received earnings and 18% received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-three percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13,588.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Crawford County had a total of 23,000 housing units, 9% of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 77% was in single-unit structures, 11% was in multi-unit structures, and 12% was mobile homes. Thirty-four percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Crawford County had 21,000 occupied housing units – 15,000 (72%) owner occupied and 5,900 (28%) renter occupied. Six % of the households did not have telephone service and 5% of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Forty-four percent had two vehicles and another 22% had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $870, nonmortgaged owners $291, and renters $576. Twenty-six percent of owners with mortgages, 10% of owners without mortgages, and 48% of renters in Crawford County spent 30% or more of household income on housing.

• Franklin County
POPULATION: In 2005-2009, Franklin County had a total population of 18,000 — 9,300 (52%) females and 8,700 (48%) males. The median age was 41.2 years. Twenty-five percent of the population was under 18 years and 17% was 65 years and older.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2005-2009 there were 6,800 households in Franklin County. The average household size was 2.6 people.

EDUCATION: In 2005-2009, 81% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 13% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nineteen percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

INDUSTRIES: In 2005-2009, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Franklin County were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 23%, and Manufacturing, 22%.

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 26%; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 22%; Sales and office occupations, 21%; Service occupations, 18%; and Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations, 12%. Seventy-three percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 15% was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 11% was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

INCOME: The median income of households in Franklin County was $30,991. Sixty-eight percent of the households received earnings and 19% received retirement income other than Social Security. Forty-two percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13,605.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Franklin County had a total of 8,000 housing units, 15% of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 80% was in single-unit structures, 6 % was in multi-unit structures, and 14% was mobile homes. Twenty-five percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Franklin County had 6,800 occupied housing units – 5,200 (77%) owner occupied and 1,600 (23%) renter occupied. Five percent of the households did not have telephone service and 6% of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Forty-one percent had two vehicles and another 21% had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $827, nonmortgaged owners $258, and renters $532. Thirty-five percent of owners with mortgages, 13% of owners without mortgages, and 51% of renters in Franklin County spent 30% or more of household income on housing.

• Logan County
POPULATION: In 2005-2009, Logan County had a total population of 23,000 – 11,000 (50%) females and 11,000 (50%) males. The median age was 40.6 years. Twenty-five percent of the population was under 18 years and 17% was 65 years and older.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2005-2009 there were 8,800 households in Logan County. The average household size was 2.6 people.

EDUCATION: In 2005-2009, 76% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 11% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Twenty-four percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

INDUSTRIES: In 2005-2009, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Logan County were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 24%, and Manufacturing, 23%.

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 27%; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 24%; Sales and office occupations, 20%; Service occupations, 14%; and Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations, 14%. Seventy-three percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 19% was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 7% was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

INCOME: The median income of households in Logan County was $35,716. Sixty-nine percent of the households received earnings and 18% received retirement income other than Social Security. Forty-one percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13,005.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Logan County had a total of 10,000 housing units, 14% of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 81% was in single-unit structures, 5% was in multi-unit structures, and 14% was mobile homes. Twenty-three percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Logan County had 8,800 occupied housing units – 6,900 (79%) owner occupied and 1,900 (21%) renter occupied. Four percent of the households did not have telephone service and 3% of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Thirty-nine percent had two vehicles and another 26% had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $748, nonmortgaged owners $269, and renters $492. Twenty percent of owners with mortgages, 14% of owners without mortgages, and 49% of renters in Logan County spent 30% or more of household income on housing.

• Scott County
POPULATION: In 2005-2009, Scott County had a total population of 11,000 — 5,600 (50%) females and 5,500 (50%) males. The median age was 40.1 years. Twenty-five percent of the population was under 18 years and 18% was 65 years and older.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2005-2009 there were 4,400 households in Scott County. The average household size was 2.5 people.

EDUCATION: In 2005-2009, 74% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 9% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Twenty-six percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

INDUSTRIES: In 2005-2009, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Scott County were Manufacturing, 35%, and Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 15%.

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 32%; Management, professional, and related occupations, 19%; Sales and office occupations, 17%; Service occupations, 14%; and Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations, 12%. Seventy-five percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 16% was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 9% was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

INCOME: The median income of households in Scott County was $33,969. Sixty-seven percent of the households received earnings and 21% received retirement income other than Social Security. Forty percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13,375.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Scott County had a total of 5,200 housing units, 15% of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 75% was in single-unit structures, 8 % was in multi-unit structures, and 16% was mobile homes. Twenty-two percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Scott County had 4,400 occupied housing units – 3,200 (74%) owner occupied and 1,100 (26%) renter occupied. Two percent of the households did not have telephone service and 6% of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Forty-one percent had two vehicles and another 26% had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $840, nonmortgaged owners $251, and renters $479. Thirty-five percent of owners with mortgages, 14% of owners without mortgages, and 38 % of renters in Scott County spent 30% or more of household income on housing.

• Sebastian County
POPULATION: In 2005-2009, Sebastian County had a total population of 121,000 – 62,000 (51%) females and 59,000 (49%) males. The median age was 36.2 years. Twenty-six percent of the population was under 18 years and 13% was 65 years and older.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2005-2009 there were 47,000 households in Sebastian County. The average household size was 2.5 people.

EDUCATION: In 2005-2009, 81% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 17% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nineteen percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

INDUSTRIES: In 2005-2009, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Sebastian County were Manufacturing, 23%, and Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 20%.

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 27%; Sales and office occupations, 25%; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 23%; Service occupations, 15%; and Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations, 8%. Eighty-two percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 11% was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 7% was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

INCOME: The median income of households in Sebastian County was $39,131. Seventy-seven percent of the households received earnings and 17% received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-two percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14,068.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Sebastian County had a total of 53,000 housing units, 11% of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 73% was in single-unit structures, 23% was in multi-unit structures, and 4% was mobile homes. Twenty-three percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $970, nonmortgaged owners $323, and renters $566. Twenty-five percent of owners with mortgages, 9% of owners without mortgages, and 47% of renters in Sebastian County spent 30% or more of household income on housing.

• Arkansas
POPULATION: In 2005-2009, Arkansas had a total population of 2.8 million – 1.4 million (51%) females and 1.4 million (49%) males. The median age was 36.9 years. Twenty-five percent of the population was under 18 years and 14% was 65 years and older.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2005-2009 there were 1.1 million households in Arkansas. The average household size was 2.5 people.

EDUCATION: In 2005-2009, 81% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 19% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nineteen percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

INDUSTRIES: In 2005-2009, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Arkansas were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 22%, and Manufacturing, 15%.

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 30%; Sales and office occupations, 25%; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 18%; Service occupations, 16%; and Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations, 10%. Seventy-seven percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 16% was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 7% was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

INCOME: The median income of households in Arkansas was $38,542. Seventy-six percent of the households received earnings and 17% received retirement income other than Social Security. Thirty-three percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14,038.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Arkansas had a total of 1.3 million housing units, 14 % of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 72% was in single-unit structures, 15% was in multi-unit structures, and 13% was mobile homes. Thirty-one percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005-2009, Arkansas had 1.1 million occupied housing units – 749,000 (68%) owner occupied and 360,000 (32%) renter occupied. Seven percent of the households did not have telephone service and 7% of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Forty percent had two vehicles and another 20% had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $953, nonmortgaged owners $304, and renters $600. Twenty-seven percent of owners with mortgages, 12% of owners without mortgages, and 48% of renters in Arkansas spent 30% or more of household income on housing.