Fort Smith, AR—72901
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Fort Smith, AR
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Fort Smith, AR is $132,000, with a year-over-year change of -2.5%. This indicates that home prices in Fort Smith, AR are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.6%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $132,000 | -2.5% |
| Single Family | $132,000 | -1.5% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $115,000 | 1.8% |
3 Bed | $156,000 | 1.3% |
4 Bed | N/A | N/A |
| 5 Bed | N/A | N/A |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Fort Smith, AR
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Fort Smith, AR is $981, with a year-over-year rent change of 11.2%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Fort Smith, AR is 1-bedrooms: $656, 2-bedrooms: $902, 3-bedrooms: $1,220, 4-bedrooms: $2,600. The most common rental property sizes in Fort Smith, AR are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 45.8% and 28.3% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $825 | $981 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $625 | $656 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $850 | $902 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,200 | $1,220 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $1,500 | $2,600 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Fort Smith, AR
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Fort Smith, AR is 67. This is a increase of 43.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 38.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $162,000 | 0.0% |
Listing Count | 84 | 21.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.4% | 21.0% |
Days on Market | 67 | 43.0% |
Demographics — Fort Smith, AR
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Fort Smith, AR has a population of 20,000, which has decreased by -4.9% over the past 5 years. Fort Smith, AR is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 22.2% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 21.1% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 6.2% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 20,000 | -4.9% |
% Under 18 | 22.2% | 0.9% |
% Seniors | 15.9% | 27.2% |
% WFH | 6.2% | 169.6% |
% w/ College Degree | 21.1% | 37.9% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Fort Smith, AR is a predominantly white area, with 59.8% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 2.4% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Fort Smith, AR is hispanic, making up 16.7% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 9.3% of the population in Fort Smith, AR, and this percentage has decreased by 23.8% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 59.8% | -2.4% |
% Black | 10.3% | -2.8% |
% Hispanic | 16.7% | -12.6% |
% Asian | 2.7% | -37.2% |
% Foreign Born | 9.3% | -23.8% |
Mortgage and Risk — Fort Smith, AR
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 266 mortgage originations in Fort Smith, AR, of which 65.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 73.0%, with 42.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Fort Smith, AR. Investor activity is low, as 9.0% of loans were by investors. 7.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 266 |
% Conventional Loans | 65.0% |
% Government Loans | 35.0% |
% Investor Loans | 9.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 7.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Fort Smith, AR
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Fort Smith, AR under the Section 8 program is 12.8%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Fort Smith, AR, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 637 |
Total Units Section 8 | 637 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 12.8% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 86.3% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $65 | $625 | $690 |
| 2 Bedroom | $60 | $850 | $910 |
| 3 Bedroom | $40 | $1,200 | $1,240 |
| 4 Bedroom | $0 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
Affordability — Fort Smith, AR
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 3.2 |
| Median Home Price | $132,000 |
| Median Household Income | $42,600 |