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Which counties in Arkansas are losing population?

38 of the 75 counties in Arkansas had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. Phillips County lost the largest share, down 13.0% (−2,128 people). Jefferson County lost the most residents (−3,838).

Of the 38 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 21 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 17 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 38 Arkansas counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in Arkansas
RankCountyChange 2020–25Residents lost 2020–25Residents 2025Largest factor 2020–25
1Phillips County−13.0%−2,12814,255Domestic migration (−1,950)
2Desha County−11.8%−1,3359,984Domestic migration (−1,082)
3Chicot County−10.3%−1,0479,107Domestic migration (−589)
4Woodruff County−8.2%−5125,710Domestic migration (−276)
5Monroe County−7.8%−5256,244Natural change (−304)
6Arkansas County−7.4%−1,27015,836Domestic migration (−768)
7Mississippi County−6.7%−2,70737,828Domestic migration (−2,615)
8Dallas County−6.7%−4306,011Natural change (−253)
9Lafayette County−6.5%−4065,888Natural change (−254)
10Lee County−6.4%−5538,029Natural change (−304)
11Bradley County−6.4%−6739,828Domestic migration (−515)
12Ashley County−5.9%−1,12817,831Domestic migration (−597)
13Jefferson County−5.7%−3,83862,987Domestic migration (−3,118)
14St. Francis County−5.3%−1,21921,800Domestic migration (−1,315)
15Union County−5.2%−2,01636,926Domestic migration (−1,683)
16Hempstead County−4.6%−91319,080Domestic migration (−842)
17Cleveland County−4.3%−3277,224Natural change (−264)
18Nevada County−4.1%−3427,942Natural change (−230)
19Ouachita County−3.9%−88921,731Natural change (−548)
20Prairie County−3.9%−3247,923Natural change (−315)
21Crittenden County−3.9%−1,86646,210Domestic migration (−2,002)
22Columbia County−3.7%−85321,894Domestic migration (−576)
23Cross County−3.7%−61416,186Domestic migration (−623)
24Howard County−3.6%−45412,306Domestic migration (−393)
25Clay County−3.3%−48314,052Natural change (−537)
26Newton County−2.3%−1677,026Natural change (−237)
27Calhoun County−2.2%−1064,632Natural change (−186)
28Clark County−2.2%−46620,938Natural change (−269)
29Poinsett County−2.0%−47022,483Natural change (−521)
30Pike County−1.9%−1949,964Natural change (−315)
31Little River County−1.8%−21511,763Natural change (−348)
32Drew County−1.5%−26717,054Natural change (−181)
33Yell County−1.3%−26219,956Natural change (−301)
34Lincoln County−1.0%−12912,764Natural change (−357)
35Garland County−0.6%−56499,695Natural change (−3,447)
36Miller County−0.5%−22942,357Natural change (−570)
37Sevier County−0.1%−2015,758Domestic migration (−195)
38Jackson County−0.0%−116,741Natural change (−480)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). 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 is losing population fastest?

Phillips County: down 13.0% between 2020 and 2025, to 14,255 residents (−2,128 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Desha County (−11.8%) and Chicot County (−10.3%).

How many counties in Arkansas are losing population?

38 of the 75 counties in Arkansas had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 37 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in Arkansas losing population?

Of the 38 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 21 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 17 (Census Bureau components of population change).

More county rankings for Arkansas

Counties losing population in other states

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