Arkansas population age distribution
A complete breakdown of Arkansas's age demographics from 0 to 85 years, distributed across 18 age groups is listed in the table below.
Age Group | Population | % of Total Population |
---|---|---|
Under 5 years | 184,580 | 6.14% |
5 to 9 years | 195,648 | 6.51% |
10 to 14 years | 203,248 | 6.76% |
15 to 19 years | 203,530 | 6.77% |
20 to 24 years | 198,013 | 6.59% |
25 to 29 years | 197,068 | 6.56% |
30 to 34 years | 191,431 | 6.37% |
35 to 39 years | 193,344 | 6.43% |
40 to 44 years | 183,087 | 6.09% |
45 to 49 years | 182,103 | 6.06% |
50 to 54 years | 182,610 | 6.07% |
55 to 59 years | 196,544 | 6.54% |
60 to 64 years | 189,742 | 6.31% |
65 to 69 years | 165,440 | 5.5% |
70 to 74 years | 134,867 | 4.49% |
75 to 79 years | 93,077 | 3.1% |
80 to 84 years | 57,160 | 1.9% |
85 years and over | 54,817 | 1.82% |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Arkansas population by age group
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2021

The largest age group in Arkansas was for the group of age 15-19 years with a population of 203,530 (6.77%), according to the 2021 American Community Survey.
At the same time, the smallest age group in Arkansas was the 85+ years with a population of 54,817 (1.82%).
Arkansas population by age cohort
To better understand the age distribution of Arkansas's population, we divided it into the following 3 cohorts:
- Children : Under the age of 18 years
- Adults (working population): Between the age of 18 and 64 years
- Seniors: 65 years and above

Here's the population for each of the three cohorts.
Age Group | Population | % of Total Population |
---|---|---|
Under 18 years | 705,785 | 23.48% |
18 to 64 years | 1,795,163 | 59.71% |
85 years and over | 505,361 | 16.81% |
Key stats for each age cohort as per our analysis of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey:
- Arkansas's population under 18 was 23.48%, compared to the 22.51% nationwide.
- Arkansas's working population (between 18 and 64) was 59.71%, compared to 61.45% nationwide.
- Arkansas's elderly or the senior population (over 65 age) was 16.81% as compared to 16.04% nationwide.
Arkansas population pyramid
Population pyramid for Arkansas is charted below using the estimates from U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. A wide base suggests population increase, narrow base indicates declining birth rates.
Key stats from our analysis of the Arkansas's population pyramid:
- Youth dependency ratio, which is the number of children aged 0-14 per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Arkansas, is 30.4.
- Old-age dependency ratio, which is the number of persons aged 65 or over per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Arkansas, is 26.4.
- Total dependency ratio for Arkansas is 56.8.
- Potential support ratio, which is the number of youth (working age population) per elderly, for Arkansas is 3.8.

Here's the Arkansas's male and female population across different age groups:
Age Group | Population(Male) | Population(Female) | Total Population |
---|---|---|---|
Under 5 years | 95,410 | 89,170 | 184,580 |
5 to 9 years | 99,723 | 95,925 | 195,648 |
10 to 14 years | 105,077 | 98,171 | 203,248 |
15 to 19 years | 104,194 | 99,336 | 203,530 |
20 to 24 years | 101,049 | 96,964 | 198,013 |
25 to 29 years | 99,040 | 98,028 | 197,068 |
30 to 34 years | 95,296 | 96,135 | 191,431 |
35 to 39 years | 96,561 | 96,783 | 193,344 |
40 to 44 years | 91,170 | 91,917 | 183,087 |
45 to 49 years | 90,448 | 91,655 | 182,103 |
50 to 54 years | 90,745 | 91,865 | 182,610 |
55 to 59 years | 97,843 | 98,701 | 196,544 |
60 to 64 years | 90,239 | 99,503 | 189,742 |
65 to 69 years | 78,553 | 86,887 | 165,440 |
70 to 74 years | 62,538 | 72,329 | 134,867 |
75 to 79 years | 42,038 | 51,039 | 93,077 |
80 to 84 years | 24,260 | 32,900 | 57,160 |
85 years and over | 19,336 | 35,481 | 54,817 |
Things to know
What is the population of Arkansas under 18?
Arkansas's population under the age of 18 is 705,785, as per the latest U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey estimates. This population is 23.48% of the total resident population of Arkansas.
What is the aging population in Arkansas?
Arkansas's population aged 65 years and above was 505,361. As per the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, this population is 16.81% of the entire population.
References
- U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates