Reader: Economy & Jobs
Households in Reader earn a median $-666,666,666, with homes at a median value of $-666,666,666. The surrounding county supports 1,877 jobs (avg $48,710).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $-666,666,666 — below the Arkansas median ($60,273).
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 27.8% |
|---|---|
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $3,260 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $147,104 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $45,124 (vs Arkansas $71,436) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $31,782 |
| Median Household Income | $-666,666,666 (vs Arkansas $60,273) |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | service_economy |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Retail |
| Economic Character · Income Level | lower-income |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $27,891 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents.
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 23.80 |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 1,877 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $91,449,367 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $48,710 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 1,271,320 |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 81 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 1,099 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 13.60 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Cattle, Crop Totals, Field Crops, Other |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 121 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 1,675 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 68,982 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 6 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Physician Offices | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Nursing Care | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Full Service Restaurants | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Fast Food | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 3 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (2)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (1)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Family Dollar 10883 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 6.9 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | LAVACA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $58,112,491 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,993.08 (vs Arkansas $6,659) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 8,310 people (vs Arkansas 29,177) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 100.0% |
|---|---|
| Retirement Score · Median age | 19.5 years (vs Arkansas 35.9y) |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | limited |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12