Quality of Life in St Francis County
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
Cost of Living
47% below national average
132%
The Real Cost of Living in St Francis County for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $13k | $24k |
| Comfortable | $22k | $32k |
| Luxury | $75k+ | $117k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $102k+ | $158k+ |
Quality-of-Life Analysis
St. Francis County, Arkansas, offers a broad spectrum of quality-of-life options, from the modest urban conveniences of its county seat to the quiet, deeply rural pockets of the Mississippi Delta. The county appeals to a diverse range of residents: those seeking affordable housing and a slower pace in its main town, families and retirees looking for low-cost living in smaller communities, and individuals who prioritize land and privacy in the unincorporated countryside. With a cost of living index of 53—nearly half the national average—the county’s primary draw is economic accessibility, though the trade-off includes limited amenities and longer drives for specialized services.
Largest town(s) & population centers
Forrest City is the county’s largest city and primary population center, home to roughly 13,000 residents. Daily life here revolves around a compact set of local services, including the Forrest City Medical Center, a Walmart Supercenter, and a handful of grocery and retail options along U.S. Highway 70. The town serves as the commercial and administrative hub for the county, housing the county courthouse, school district headquarters, and a small industrial base anchored by manufacturers like Sunny Fresh Foods and Love’s Travel Stops. Housing is extremely affordable, with a median home value of $87,700 and median rent of $791, making it one of the most budget-friendly county seats in Arkansas. The average commute of just under 21 minutes reflects the town’s manageable scale, though residents often travel to Memphis (about 50 miles north) for major shopping, healthcare specialists, or entertainment. Forrest City offers a functional, no-frills lifestyle best suited to those who prioritize low housing costs and a short drive to work over urban density or cultural variety.
Smaller towns & rural pockets
Beyond Forrest City, St. Francis County contains several smaller incorporated towns and unincorporated communities, each with its own character. Hughes, a town of about 1,400, sits in the southern part of the county and offers a quieter, more isolated Delta experience, with a small grocery store, a post office, and a few churches as the main anchors. Madison (population roughly 750) and Palestine (population around 600) are even smaller, with limited commercial services and a strong sense of local community. Caldwell, an unincorporated community near the L’Anguille River, represents the county’s most rural pockets, where homes sit on larger lots and residents rely on Forrest City or even Wynne (in neighboring Cross County) for most errands. These areas are predominantly agricultural, with row-crop farming (rice, soybeans, cotton) defining the landscape and economy. Life here is quiet and self-reliant, appealing to those who value space, low property taxes, and a slower rhythm far from suburban sprawl.
Cost & lifestyle range
The cost of living across St. Francis County is uniformly low, but the lifestyle range is significant. At one end, Forrest City provides the most amenities—a hospital, multiple schools, fast food, and basic retail—with a median home value near the county average of $87,700 and rent around $791. At the other end, rural areas near Caldwell or along the L’Anguille River offer even cheaper housing (often under $60,000 for older homes on acreage) but require a 20- to 30-minute drive to reach a grocery store or pharmacy. The county’s overall cost of living index of 53 is roughly half the U.S. average, meaning even modest incomes stretch further here than in most of the country. However, the trade-off is clear: residents in smaller towns and rural pockets face limited job opportunities, fewer entertainment options, and a heavier reliance on personal vehicles. The lifestyle spectrum runs from a functional small-town existence in Forrest City to a deeply rural, agrarian life in the county’s outlying communities, with no true suburban or exurban middle ground.
St. Francis County is best suited for individuals and families who prioritize extreme affordability, a slow pace, and a connection to the Delta’s agricultural heritage. It works well for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers who can tolerate limited internet options, and those employed in local manufacturing, farming, or the service sector. People seeking vibrant nightlife, diverse dining, or rapid career growth will find the county too limited, but for those who value low housing costs and a quiet, community-oriented life, the range of options across St. Francis County offers a genuine, if modest, quality of life.
Crime in St Francis County
Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
St Francis County, Arkansas, reports a violent crime rate of 525.4 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,639 per 100,000, placing it among the more dangerous counties in the state. These figures, drawn from the most recent available data, indicate that residents face a significantly higher risk of both violent and property offenses compared to national averages. The county's safety landscape is uneven, with notable differences between its largest city, Forrest City, and smaller communities like Hughes, Palestine, and Madison.
Crime in context
St Francis County's violent crime rate of 525.4 per 100,000 is roughly 50% higher than the national average of approximately 370 per 100,000 and well above the Arkansas state average of about 530 per 100,000. The property crime rate of 1,639 per 100,000 is also elevated, exceeding the national benchmark of roughly 1,950 per 100,000 but sitting slightly below the Arkansas state average. These numbers place St Francis County in the bottom quartile for safety among Arkansas's 75 counties. The county's proximity to the Memphis metropolitan area, combined with economic challenges and a justice system influenced by progressive policies, contributes to these persistently high crime rates. Forrest City, the county seat and largest municipality, accounts for a disproportionate share of reported offenses, particularly in categories like aggravated assault and burglary.
What residents experience
Daily life in St Francis County involves navigating a heightened risk of property crime, with larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft being the most common offenses. Residents in Forrest City frequently report issues with vandalism, stolen vehicles, and break-ins, while smaller towns like Hughes and Palestine experience lower but still concerning rates of property crime. Violent crime, though less frequent, is a serious concern, with aggravated assault being the most reported violent offense. The county's judicial district, part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, has seen a shift toward more lenient sentencing and diversion programs in recent years, a trend that critics argue has reduced accountability for repeat offenders and contributed to a revolving-door justice system. This progressive approach, while intended to reduce incarceration rates, has left many residents feeling that the system prioritizes offender rehabilitation over public safety and victim rights.
Neighborhood-level variation and safer areas
Crime is not distributed evenly across St Francis County. Forrest City is the primary hotspot, with the highest concentration of both violent and property crimes, particularly in areas near Interstate 40 and the downtown core. Smaller communities like Madison and Wheatley report significantly lower crime rates, offering a quieter, more secure living environment for families and retirees. Palestine, with its small population and rural character, also sees fewer incidents, though residents must travel to Forrest City for most services and employment. The unincorporated areas of the county, including the farming communities along the L'Anguille River, generally experience the lowest crime rates. For those considering a move to St Francis County, choosing a home in Madison or Wheatley rather than central Forrest City can substantially reduce exposure to crime, though even these safer areas are not immune to the county's broader public safety challenges.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-07-24T14:55:44.000Z
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