Ash Flat: Demographics & People
Ash Flat's population stands at 1,217 people, in 418 households. Population shrank 7.0% from 1,309 (2022) to 1,217 (2024). Median age 54.6 years. (7.5y older than Sharp County; 18.7y older than Arkansas). Children under 18 are 15% of the population. Population is 89% White (non-Hispanic) and 3% Black. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.10). 66% of households are family-led. County is gaining 542 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 26% smoke.
- 2.9 people per household (vs Arkansas avg 2.5).
- 34% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Arkansas 38%).
- 99 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Arkansas 69).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 7.0% from 1,309 (2022) to 1,217 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,132 (extrapolated at -3.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,026.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 12,075 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -7.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,309 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,217 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 1,217 people (vs Arkansas 29,177) |
| Population Estimate | 1,026 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 54.6y is 15.7 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 15% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 54.6 years (vs Arkansas 35.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 15.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,217 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 182 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 222.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 390.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 423 |
| Population under 18 | 182 |
| Median age | 54.6 years (vs Arkansas 35.9y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 1,217 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.10 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 1,200 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 31 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 34 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 9.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 94.9% |
| Asian population | 0.7% (vs Arkansas 1.5%) |
| Black population | 3.2% (vs Arkansas 7.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.1% (vs Arkansas 7.7%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 89.0% (vs Arkansas 61.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 747 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 466 |
| Share born in this state | 61.4% |
| Share born in another state | 38.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 38.3% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 4 |
| From Africa | 4 |
Households & Family Composition
418 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 66% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 323 families, 17% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 207 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 323 |
| Married couples with children | 55 |
| Single-parent households | 26 |
| Average household size | 2.43 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 18.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 16 |
| Family households | 278 households (vs Arkansas 7,015) |
| Households that are families | 66.5% (vs Arkansas 62.3%) |
| Total households | 418 households (vs Arkansas 11,107) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 15.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 542 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 15.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 11,031 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 10,489 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 542 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 100 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 204 residents live in group quarters (16.8% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 204 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | AR-01 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 05049 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 05 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 049 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Fulton |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 33.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 25.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 43.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 05049 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Fulton County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 656 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 05049 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Fulton County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 42.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 36.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 49.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 12,477 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 7 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 15.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,217, shrinking, retirement community, working-class, service economy |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,217 people (vs Arkansas 29,177) |
| Town Summary · County | Fulton County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade