Elections

Cleveland County, AR, has about 4,600 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include local, state, and federal races, with the county generally voting Republican—2020 presidential results saw 77% GOP support. Major issues include economic development and infrastructure. Voter registration, ballot processing, and polling site management are handled by the Cleveland County Election Commission. Key polling locations include the Rison Community Center and Kingsland School Gym. Two main parties—Republican and Democratic—are represented, with Republicans holding most local offices. Voter turnout in major elections typically ranges from 60-70%.

Education, Employment and Housing

Cleveland County, AR, has 4 public schools, including Rison High School and Woodlawn High School. The graduation rate is 94%, but only 10.5% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the national average. Schools score around 5/10 on GreatSchools. Adult education and vocational programs are available through regional centers. Efforts focus on safe, small learning environments, with low student-teacher ratios (about 12:1) and standard safety protocols in place. Educational programs emphasize core academics and career readiness.

As of 2022, Cleveland County, AR, had an employment rate of approximately 53.2% for residents aged 16 and older. Major industries include manufacturing (19.5%), educational services, health care, and social assistance (17.6%), and retail trade (11.8%). The dominant occupation types are production (16.2%) and management/business/finance (14.3%). About 86.7% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 36.7 minutes; 73% work outside the county, highlighting significant out-commuting primarily to Jefferson and Pulaski counties.

Cleveland County, AR, has a homeownership rate of around 76%, with median home values near $103,000 (2022). Rental occupancy is about 24%, with median gross rents at approximately $705 monthly. Housing stock mainly consists of single-family detached homes, with a few mobile homes. The local real estate market shows steady value growth at around 4% annually. Neighborhoods are mostly rural or small-town, like Rison and Kingsland. Average annual property taxes are relatively low, about $600 to $900 per year, reflecting the county’s affordable cost of living and modest property values.

County Crime & Safety

Cleveland County, AR, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported a total of 78 crimes, including 12 violent crimes and 66 property crimes, with no reported homicides. The overall crime rate is approximately 10.3 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than both the Arkansas state average and the national average. Law enforcement agencies actively encourage crime reporting to ensure community safety, and most reported cases are property-related. Residents generally experience a higher perception of safety compared to more urbanized regions.

Demographics

As of 2022, Cleveland County, Arkansas, has a population of approximately 7,600. The median age is around 43 years. The gender distribution is nearly balanced, with about 51% male and 49% female. Racially, the county is predominantly White (about 76%), followed by Black or African American (around 21%), with small percentages of Hispanic or Latino (1.6%) and other races. This demographic profile reflects an aging, majority-White rural community with minimal ethnic diversity.