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Which counties in Arkansas are people leaving?

33 of the 75 counties in Arkansas had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Desha County had the largest net outflow for its size: 26.6 per 1,000 residents (−266 people). In people, Pulaski County had the largest net outflow (−595).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 4 of these 33 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 33 Arkansas counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in Arkansas
RankCountyPer 1,000 residents, 2025Net movers 2025ResidentsPopulation change 2020–25
1Desha County−26.6−2669,984−11.8%
2Phillips County−20.0−28514,255−13.0%
3Lafayette County−18.9−1115,888−6.5%
4Cleveland County−14.1−1027,224−4.3%
5Bradley County−13.4−1329,828−6.4%
6Chicot County−13.2−1209,107−10.3%
7Cross County−12.5−20216,186−3.7%
8Crittenden County−12.0−55546,210−3.9%
9Monroe County−11.7−736,244−7.8%
10Howard County−11.5−14112,306−3.6%
11Arkansas County−11.1−17615,836−7.4%
12Mississippi County−10.8−40837,828−6.7%
13Dallas County−9.5−576,011−6.7%
14St. Francis County−8.9−19521,800−5.3%
15Jefferson County−7.7−48362,987−5.7%
16Lee County−6.5−528,029−6.4%
17Ashley County−5.8−10317,831−5.9%
18Hempstead County−5.8−11019,080−4.6%
19Yell County−5.5−11019,956−1.3%
20Sevier County−5.4−8515,758−0.1%
21Nevada County−5.2−417,942−4.1%
22Woodruff County−5.1−295,710−8.2%
23Union County−4.5−16736,926−5.2%
24Pike County−3.2−329,964−1.9%
25Columbia County−2.9−6421,894−3.7%
26Ouachita County−2.0−4421,731−3.9%
27Lincoln County−1.9−2412,764−1.0%
28Calhoun County−1.7−84,632−2.2%
29Pulaski County−1.5−595404,611+1.3%
30Randolph County−1.3−2518,876+1.5%
31Craighead County−0.5−64116,957+4.8%
32Johnson County−0.3−826,225+2.0%
33Prairie County−0.1−17,923−3.9%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in Arkansas are the most people leaving?

For its size, Desha County: net domestic migration of −26.6 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−266 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Phillips County (−20.0) and Lafayette County (−18.9).

How many counties in Arkansas have more people moving out than in?

33 of the 75 counties in Arkansas had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 4 of these 33 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for Arkansas

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.