Arkansas: government, population and official figures

Arkansas is a state of the United States, number 33 of 51 by population. Arkansas had an estimated 3,114,791 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.9% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 19th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.60%, 19th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs Arkansas?

The governor is Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Governor's office. Phone: 1-501-682-2345. Address: 500 Woodlane St. Little Rock , AR 72201.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Arkansas: The economy of Arkansas (gross domestic product) was worth $196.0 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.6% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 17th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 3.9% on 2024.
• Health in Arkansas: Life expectancy at birth in Arkansas was 73.9 years in 2022, 8th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Arkansas: 88.2% of public high school students in Arkansas graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 13th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Arkansas: The Census Bureau estimates that 15.3% of people in Arkansas lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 460,261 people; 7th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Arkansas: Arkansas' state government took in $29.0 billion in fiscal year 2024, $9,353 per resident, 24th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Arkansas

• Arkansas
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Human Services
• Consumer Protection Division
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• Department of Education
• Elections, Secretary of State
• Division of Emergency Management
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicle
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Arkansas

1. Little Rock 206,427 (2025)
2. Fayetteville 106,623 (2025)
3. Fort Smith 90,855 (2025)
4. Springdale 90,685 (2025)
5. Jonesboro 83,296 (2025)
6. Rogers 76,956 (2025)
7. Conway 72,328 (2025)
8. North Little Rock 65,120 (2025)
9. Bentonville 63,057 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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