The story of this market
The typical home in Polk County, Arkansas sells for about $190,000, or $138 per square foot.
Prices are down 20.3% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 93 days to sell, which is slow. Over the long run, values in this county have grown 91% since 2003. The biggest natural hazard here is ice storm, which FEMA rates very high. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $909 a month.
HUD sets the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom at $909 a month. FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall hazard risk here as Relatively Moderate.
Price climate
Every year of price change, 2003–2025
0%
2025
Each stripe is one year's median price change across the area's census tracts (FHFA repeat-sales index). Deep blue is a strong gain year, red a falling year. Best: 2022 (+18.4%). Worst: 2014 (-9.1%). Hover to read a year.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+2.7%
AR · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Rent benchmark
Fair market rent by size
$1,083
3-bed / month
HUD Fair Market Rents, fiscal 2027, for this county. A typical rent for a modest unit, used to set housing-voucher payments.
Neighborhood price trend
Long-run price trend, 2003–2025
0%
2025 change
FHFA repeat-sales index, median of 2 census tracts in this county (2003 = 100). Bars are each year's median change.
Natural hazard exposure
The area's risk shape
59
Relatively Moderate
FEMA National Risk Index. Each spoke is a hazard ranked nationally, where 100 is the most exposed. Expected annual loss: $9,828,730.
Mortgage activity
Home lending in this county
73%
2019 approval rate
| Year | Applications | Loans made | Approval | Investor share | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 485 | 233 | 71.6% | 1.5% | $110,000 |
| 2019 | 552▲ | 257▲ | 73%▲ | 6.6%▲ | $135,000▲ |
CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act records: every mortgage application reported by lenders for homes in this county. Approval rate is approved ÷ decided (withdrawn and incomplete files excluded). Investor share and home value are the median census tract.
Polk County, Arkansas
Polk County's residential real estate market reflects rural affordability accompanied by lengthened marketing times, with median listing prices hovering around $190,000 and days on market around 93 days. Inventory levels have expanded as buyer demand remains selective amid elevated borrowing costs. The market remains slightly buyer-tilted with negotiations centered near 94 to 96 percent of asking price.
No ARED distress-ledger coverage for this county yet — the foreclosure ingest rotates the national county directory, and filings appear here once the county's posted notices are read. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Select a city to expand its ZIP intel reports beneath · 6 cities · 8 ZIP reports
Median prices moved down 0.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 13 days on market with 0.3 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
1% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 11.52% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 18.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Deterministic aggregate of 7 researched ZIP reports of 8 — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Polk County, Arkansas — researched county-level history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
No researched properties in this county yet — the property base layer populates as property research runs, and each property feeds its ZIP's roll-up.
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| 71937 | Cove | $80,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $574 | researched Sep 28 |
| 71944 | Grannis | $92,200 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $757 | researched Sep 28 |
| 71945 | Hatfield | $220,000 | $115 | +2.5% | 128 | 96% | 12% | 8 | 24 | $950 | researched Sep 28 |
| 71946 | — | $695,000 | $211 | -5.4% | 115 | 98.5% | 3.3% | 2.6 | 140 | $2,347 | researched Sep 28 |
| 71950 | Kirby | $108,500 | $78 | — | 110 | — | — | — | — | $909 | researched Sep 28 |
| 71952 | Langley | $279,000 | $135 | +3.5% | 82 | 96.5% | 12% | 4.2 | 48 | $875 | researched Sep 28 |
| 71953 | Mena | $215,000 | $138 | +4.5% | 78 | 96.5% | 12% | 6.2 | 112 | $950 | researched Sep 28 |
| 71972 | Wickes | $135,000 | $114 | +54.3% | 65 | 98.2% | 12% | 2.1 | 4 | $950 | researched Sep 28 |
Figures are each ZIP report's own latest research — the county roll-up aggregates them sales_count-weighted (population fallback); ZIPs cycle quarterly.
Polk County exhibits lower violent crime rates than both state and national benchmarks, typical of rural western Arkansas. Property crime is predominantly non-violent and centered around Mena, with overall regional crime trends remaining relatively stable.
The county is served predominantly by Mena School District and Cossatot River School District. Mena Public Schools generally receives average to above-average state accountability ratings, while rural outlying facilities maintain standard regional marks.
Severe weather risks include occasional tornadoes, high-wind events, and localized flash flooding along Ouachita Mountain river valleys and creeks. Wildfire risk is elevated during late summer dry spells across Ouachita National Forest tracts, but typical structural insurance remains widely accessible.
Economic growth is anchored by healthcare, poultry processing, light manufacturing, and tourism centered on the Ouachita Mountains and Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Commercial development remains modest and focused along U.S. Route 71 in Mena.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Arkansas) — Arkansas Disabled Veteran Total Property Tax Exemption: Provides a 100% exemption from all ad valorem real property taxes on the principal homestead. Formula: Net Ad Valorem Tax Due = $0.00. State (Arkansas) — Arkansas Senior and Disabled Assessment Freeze: Freezes the assessed taxable value of the homestead at the prevailing assessed value at the time the owner becomes eligible or purchases the property. State (Arkansas) — Arkansas State Homestead Property Tax Credit: Provides a direct reduction against ad valorem property taxes up to $350.00 (increased to $350 by Act 655 of 2009; further statutory increases may apply up to $425 depending on legislative session). Formula: Final Tax Due = max($0, Gross Ad Valorem Tax - Homestead Credit). State (Arkansas) — Arkansas Amendment 79 Assessment Growth Caps (Assessment Limitation): Caps annual assessed value growth following a countywide reappraisal: homestead parcel taxable assessments cannot increase by more than 5% per year, and non-homestead residential parcel taxable assessments cannot increase by more than 10% per year until taxable assessment reaches… State (Arkansas) — Arkansas Ad Valorem Property Tax Assessment Ratio and Valuation: Imposes an ad valorem property tax based on a uniform statutory assessment ratio of 20% of true market value.
Recreational amenities are driven by Queen Wilhelmina State Park on Rich Mountain, the Ouachita National Forest, and the Talimena National Scenic Byway. The area offers extensive hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, and river fishing along the Ouachita and Cossatot rivers.
Rental options in Polk County are limited and heavily concentrated in Mena, consisting mostly of small multi-family properties and single-family detached homes. Low vacancy and limited new construction maintain modest rent stability.
The local economy is centered on agriculture (notably poultry and timber), healthcare services through Mena Regional Health System, light manufacturing, and government/tourism services. Employment is concentrated primarily within the city limits of Mena.
U.S. Highway 71 and U.S. Highway 59 serve as the primary north-south regional transportation spines, with AR-88 providing east-west connectivity. Public transit is limited to rural on-demand transit providers.
Commercial and residential activity is mostly infill or low-density single-family construction, with minimal speculative subdivision development countywide.
The Polk County Assessor appraises properties at 100 percent of fair market value, with assessments equalized to the statutory 20 percent taxable level pursuant to Arkansas Assessment Coordination Division standards.
Property tax bills include levies for county general funds, municipal taxes in incorporated towns, local school district maintenance and debt service millages, and rural fire protection districts.
Property insurance rates are comparatively moderate within Arkansas, though storm and hail deductibles are common. Forest fringe parcels may experience increased underwriting scrutiny for wildfire defensible space.
Arkansas permits both judicial and statutory non-judicial foreclosure; residential deeds of trust commonly proceed non-judicially under the Statutory Foreclosure Act without statutory post-sale rights of redemption.
Arkansas follows common-law caveat emptor principles, although licensed real estate licensees are obligated to disclose known material adverse facts regarding a property's physical condition.
- Little Missouri Falls4.815 mi
- Cossatot River State Park4.816.2 mi
- Eagle Rock Loop4.816.8 mi
- Crooked Creek Falls4.716.6 mi
- Board Camp Crystal Mine4.83.5 mi
- Three Sticks Monument4.329.4 mi
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park4.716.7 mi
- Albert Pike Recreation Area4.718.8 mi
- Cossatot River State Park4.816.2 mi
- Eagle Rock Loop4.816.8 mi
- Shady Lake Recreation Area4.513.3 mi
- Self Creek Lodge and Marina4.730 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this county — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
Perched atop Rich Mountain, offering scenic mountain views, a full-service lodge, camping, and hiking trails.
A 54-mile scenic highway traversing crests of the Ouachita Mountains connecting Mena to Talihina, Oklahoma.
Covers a large portion of the county, featuring vast trail networks, camping sites, and wildlife hunting/fishing.
Community arts hub hosting regional exhibits, workshops, and artisan showcases in downtown Mena.
Data retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and ACS 5-year tables for Polk County, AR (FIPS 05113).
Caps annual assessed value growth following a countywide reappraisal: homestead parcel taxable assessments cannot increase by more than 5% per year, and non-homestead residential parcel taxable assessments cannot increase by more than 10% per year until taxable assessment reaches 20% of full market value. Growth limitations do not apply to new construction or substantial improvements, and uncapping to full 20% market value occurs upon an arm's-length sale pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 26-26-1123.
Adopted via Ark. Const. amend. 79 (effective 2000) and codified at Ark. Code Ann. §§ 26-26-1120 through 26-26-1123.
applies when — Residential parcels bound by recorded covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) establishing a property owners association (POA) or homeowners association (HOA).
Binds title to mandatory common-expense assessments, architectural controls, and association bylaws. Because Arkansas lacks a dedicated standalone single-family HOA statutory code, associations incorporate and operate under the Arkansas Nonprofit Corporation Act (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 4-33-101 et seq.). Covenants running with the land grant the association power to place statutory/contractual assessment liens on defaulting parcels and pursue foreclosure under covenant terms.
Ark. Code Ann. §§ 4-33-101 et seq.; Horizontal Property Act (for condominiums) Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-13-101 et seq.
applies when — Homestead parcel owned by an individual who is 65 years of age or older, or who is permanently and totally disabled.
Freezes the assessed taxable value of the homestead at the prevailing assessed value at the time the owner becomes eligible or purchases the property. The taxable assessed value remains fixed and does not rise with subsequent reassessments unless the property undergoes substantial improvement or changes ownership outside of exempt transfers.
Ark. Const. amend. 79, § 1; Ark. Code Ann. § 26-26-1120.
applies when — Parcel must be an owner-occupied single-family residence designated as the taxpayer's principal place of residence (homestead).
Provides a direct reduction against ad valorem property taxes up to $350.00 (increased to $350 by Act 655 of 2009; further statutory increases may apply up to $425 depending on legislative session). Formula: Final Tax Due = max($0, Gross Ad Valorem Tax - Homestead Credit). Credit is non-refundable and cannot reduce the net tax below zero.
Ark. Const. amend. 79, § 3; Ark. Code Ann. § 26-26-1118.
applies when — Applies to residential parcels where the lender elects judicial foreclosure in circuit court or where the security instrument lacks a power of sale.
Requires a civil complaint, judicial hearing, and entry of a foreclosure judgment followed by a commissioner's sale. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 18-49-106, mortgagors have a statutory one-year redemption period following a judicial foreclosure sale unless the right of redemption was expressly waived in the underlying mortgage instrument (which is common practice in commercial instruments but legally distinct in residential equity protections).
Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-49-101 through 18-49-106.
applies when — Applies to residential parcels encumbered by a mortgage or deed of trust containing an express power-of-sale clause upon borrower default.
Enables non-judicial foreclosure without court intervention. Requires the mortgagee/trustee to record and mail a Notice of Default and Intention to Sell at least 60 days prior to the scheduled sale date, publish notice once a week for four consecutive weeks, and post notice at the courthouse and online. The borrower retains a statutory right of reinstatement by curing default up to the time of sale. Once the trustee's deed is executed upon sale, statutory post-sale redemption rights are fully extinguished.
Arkansas Statutory Foreclosure Act, Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-50-101 et seq.
Imposes an ad valorem property tax based on a uniform statutory assessment ratio of 20% of true market value. Tax Calculation Formula: Assessed Value = Appraised Market Value * 0.20; Gross Tax = Assessed Value * (Total Millage Rate / 1,000); Net Tax Due = Gross Tax - Applicable Credits. Millage includes a mandatory statewide minimum 25 mills Uniform Rate of Tax (URT) for school maintenance and operations under Ark. Const. art. 14, plus local county, municipal, and voter-approved millages.
Codified under Ark. Const. art. 14, art. 16, § 5; Ark. Code Ann. §§ 26-24-104, 26-26-303, and 26-26-1201.
applies when — Parcels situated within incorporated municipal boundaries, extraterritorial planning jurisdictions, or counties with active planning commissions.
Submits residential parcels to police power land-use controls, setback requirements, density maximums, building height caps, and subdivision dedication mandates established by local planning commissions pursuant to state enabling acts. Municipalities may enforce zoning and subdivision controls within up to 5 miles of their corporate limits (extraterritorial jurisdiction).
Ark. Code Ann. §§ 14-56-401 et seq. (Municipal Planning) and §§ 14-17-201 et seq. (County Planning).
Arkansas adheres to the common law doctrine of 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) for unrepresented private sellers, meaning there is no state statutory requirement forcing a seller to provide a formal written property condition disclosure. However, if a licensed real estate broker or salesperson is involved in the transaction, Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) regulations require affirmative disclosure of all known material adverse facts and defects affecting the property, and common law bars fraudulent concealment or active misrepresentation by sellers.
Arkansas Real Estate Commission Regulations; common law caveat emptor doctrine reaffirmed in AREC published guidance.
applies when — Homestead parcel owned by a veteran certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as 100% totally and permanently service-connected disabled, or an un-remarried surviving spouse/minor children.
Provides a 100% exemption from all ad valorem real property taxes on the principal homestead. Formula: Net Ad Valorem Tax Due = $0.00.
Ark. Code Ann. § 26-3-306.
Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.