Cave City: Demographics & People
Cave City's population stands at 2,090 people, in 772 households. Population grew 8.3% from 1,930 (2022) to 2,090 (2024). Median age 37.0 years. (10.1y younger than Sharp County; 1.1y older than Arkansas). Children under 18 are 29% of the population. Population is 92% White (non-Hispanic) and 3% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.10). 71% of households are family-led. County is gaining 263 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 24% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Arkansas avg 2.5).
- 29% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Arkansas 38%).
- 96 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Arkansas 69).
Population & Trend
Population grew 8.3% from 1,930 (2022) to 2,090 (2024) — about 13.8× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~2,266 (extrapolated at 4.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 2,516.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 37,938 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 8.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,930 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 2,090 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 2,090 people (vs Arkansas 29,177) |
| Population Estimate | 2,516 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.0y is 1.9 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 29% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.0 years (vs Arkansas 35.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 29.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 2,090 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 613 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 359.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 707.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 411 |
| Population under 18 | 613 |
| Median age | 37.0 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 2,090 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 | 1,808 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 51 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 44 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 9.6% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 95.0% |
| Black population | 1.8% (vs Arkansas 7.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.0% (vs Arkansas 7.7%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 92.2% (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). 0.3% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 1,510 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 543 |
| Share born in this state | 72.2% |
| Share born in another state | 27.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 26.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.3% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 33 |
Households & Family Composition
772 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 71% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 501 families, 38% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 577 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 501 |
| Married couples with children | 190 |
| Single-parent households | 8 |
| Average household size | 2.57 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 17.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 30 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 6 |
| Family households | 548 households (vs Arkansas 7,015) |
| Households that are families | 71.0% (vs Arkansas 62.3%) |
| Total households | 772 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. 9.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 263 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 9.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 32,530 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 32,267 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 263 |
| 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 | 124 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.3% |
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. 67 residents live in group quarters (3.2% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 67 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 501 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 05063 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 05 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 063 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Independence |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 32.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 28.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 37.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 05063 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Independence County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 2,219 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 05063 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Independence County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 53.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 45.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 46.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 37,825 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 29.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 2,090, booming, family-oriented, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 2,090 people (vs Arkansas 29,177) |
| Town Summary · County | Independence County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade