RANK #148 / 996 · POP 77,118 · AR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%
White County, Arkansas, distinguishes itself with Searcy, its county seat, home to Harding University, the largest private university in the state. Located in north-central Arkansas, about 50 miles northeast of Little Rock, White County offers a blend of rolling uplands near the Ozark foothills and flatter farmlands. The Little Red River, renowned for trout fishing, flows through the county, providing outdoor recreation opportunities. The community maintains a conservative, family-oriented atmosphere. Life in White County is characterized by a strong sense of community. The local economy is diverse, supported by agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail. Harding University and Unity Health are among the largest employers, contributing significantly to the area's economic landscape. Public schools in White County generally perform above average, with several districts receiving high ratings. The county's GDP grew by approximately 12% from 2018 to 2022, outpacing the state's growth.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
White County has a Boom Town Index score of 85/100, ranking #148 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.1% and a median household income of $51,144, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in White County is $150,700 with median rent at $793/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3394, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.1%. Home values changed +3.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.64% of White County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.