Population measures provide insight on how communities are changing in size and composition. Changes in total population are a measure of the overall health of a community and its ability to attract and retain residents.

Arkansas' population increased 13% from 2000 to 2019, growing from 2.7 million residents to slightly more than 3 million. In comparison, the nation's population increased by about 17% in the same time period. The fastest years of growth in Arkansas were 2004 through 2008. Population growth has slowed since then, with a particular slowdown starting in 2011. Arkansas ranked 29th in the U.S. for its population growth from 2000 to 2019, including the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

This overall growth, however, was not distributed evenly across the state. The northwest half of the state had most of the population growth, while the southeast half had population declines. Overall, less than half of the state's 75 counties saw their populations increase. Benton County had the most growth with an 82% increase in its population from 2000 to 2019, followed by increases of more than 46% in Saline, Faulkner and Washington counties. On the other end, Monroe and Phillips counties each lost more than 32% of their population in the same time period.

Data for this indicator is released annually in July.