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As we move forward into 2026, the challenges women face in the workplace continue to evolve, but significant disparities remain. Issues such as unequal pay, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and a greater likelihood of living in poverty still affect women across the United States. In Arkansas, this situation varies dramatically by city, with some locations offering better prospects for women than others.
In this article, we delve into the cities in Arkansas where women experience the greatest challenges. By analyzing various metrics, we highlight the disparities faced by women in these areas.
Read on to discover which cities rank as the most challenging for women in Arkansas and the factors that contribute to these rankings.
The 10 Worst Cities to Be a Woman in Arkansas
These ten cities represent the most challenging environments for women in Arkansas. Continue reading to understand the reasons behind their rankings or skip ahead to discover the cities that provide better opportunities for women.
Methodology – How We Determined the Worst Cities for Women in Arkansas
Each city was evaluated based on four key factors:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower percentage indicates worse conditions)
- Percentage of Women Living in Poverty (Higher percentage indicates worse conditions)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Men’s Earnings (Lower ratio indicates worse conditions)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower percentage indicates worse conditions)
To analyze the income gap between men and women in each city, we utilized data from the American Community Survey (ACS). Specifically, we calculated the ratio of median male income to median female income to assess how much women earn per dollar earned by men.
For the percentage of women living in poverty, we again referenced the ACS. This figure reflects household income, including that of spouses and other family members. To focus specifically on women, we examined those living alone, as this group tends to have lower income levels, resulting in a higher poverty rate.
To assess the percentage of women in management roles, we drew on ACS data to illustrate women’s representation in leadership. This is vital for understanding not just individual achievements but also the opportunities for female advancement within organizations.
Lastly, we consulted the ACS for data on the percentage of uninsured women in each city.
Our analysis focused on cities in Arkansas with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Camden
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.61
Women in Management Positions: 36.0%
Women Living in Poverty: 37.0%
Uninsured Women: 8.3%
Camden ranks as the most challenging city for women in Arkansas, with low scores across all evaluated metrics. Women in Camden face a significantly high likelihood of living in poverty and lacking health insurance, highlighting the challenges they encounter.
2. Warren
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.70
Women in Management Positions: 34.0%
Women Living in Poverty: 32.9%
Uninsured Women: 12.3%
Warren is the second most challenging city for women, characterized by high poverty rates and low representation of women in leadership roles.
3. Heber Springs
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.50
Women in Management Positions: 30.8%
Women Living in Poverty: 20.3%
Uninsured Women: 10.5%
Women in Heber Springs face a challenging environment, with only 30.8% in management and 20.3% living in poverty.
4. Trumann
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.63
Women in Management Positions: 14.6%
Women Living in Poverty: 25.7%
Uninsured Women: 6.8%
Trumann ranks fourth, with only 14.6% of women in management and a significant portion living in poverty.
5. Blytheville
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.60
Women in Management Positions: 33.3%
Women Living in Poverty: 29.0%
Uninsured Women: 7.5%
While Blytheville offers slightly better opportunities than the previous cities, challenges still persist for women in the workforce.
6. Russellville
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.64
Women in Management Positions: 34.5%
Women Living in Poverty: 22.1%
Uninsured Women: 11.4%
Russellville ranks sixth, with over one-fifth of women living in poverty and a significant portion uninsured.
7. Clarksville
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.74
Women in Management Positions: 30.5%
Women Living in Poverty: 28.2%
Uninsured Women: 8.6%
Clarksville presents a difficult environment for women, characterized by high poverty rates and limited access to leadership roles.
8. Magnolia
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.50
Women in Management Positions: 62.2%
Women Living in Poverty: 32.4%
Uninsured Women: 11.0%
Magnolia has a high percentage of women in management roles, but the poverty rate and earnings disparity indicate significant challenges for women.
9. Pocahontas
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.63
Women in Management Positions: 14.3%
Women Living in Poverty: 22.1%
Uninsured Women: 6.7%
Pocahontas presents similar challenges, notably a significant gender pay gap and a high percentage of women living in poverty.
10. De Queen
Earnings for Women per Male Dollar Earned: $0.72
Women in Management Positions: 50.9%
Women Living in Poverty: 33.9%
Uninsured Women: 20.7%
De Queen rounds out the list at tenth place. While conditions are somewhat better than in the preceding cities, significant challenges remain for women, particularly regarding poverty rates.
Summary of the Worst Cities to Be a Woman in Arkansas
These cities illustrate the significant obstacles faced by women in Arkansas. While statewide challenges persist, these locations offer particularly unfavorable conditions for women, impacting their economic prospects and overall well-being.
Although no city is universally detrimental to all women, those residing in these areas face unique challenges that may hinder their personal and professional growth.
Explore the complete list below to understand the broader landscape for women in Arkansas.
Detailed List of the Worst Cities for Women in Arkansas
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camden | $0.61 |
| 2 | Warren | $0.70 |
| 3 | Heber Springs | $0.50 |
| 4 | Trumann | $0.63 |
| 5 | Blytheville | $0.60 |
| 6 | Russellville | $0.64 |
| 7 | Clarksville | $0.74 |
| 8 | Magnolia | $0.50 |
| 9 | Pocahontas | $0.63 |
| 10 | De Queen | $0.72 |
| 11 | Texarkana | $0.72 |
| 12 | Hope | $0.65 |
| 13 | El Dorado | $0.64 |
| 14 | Crossett | $0.38 |
| 15 | Fort Smith | $0.75 |
| 16 | Mena | $0.70 |
| 17 | Hot Springs | $0.77 |
| 18 | Arkadelphia | $0.77 |
| 19 | Van Buren | $0.70 |
| 20 | Helena-West Helena | $0.76 |
| 21 | West Memphis | $0.71 |
| 22 | Greenbrier | $0.71 |
| 23 | Paragould | $0.64 |
| 24 | Forrest City | $1.11 |
| 25 | Morrilton | $0.68 |
| 26 | Rogers | $0.74 |
| 27 | Jonesboro | $0.76 |
| 28 | Bentonville | $0.59 |
| 29 | Malvern | $0.89 |
| 30 | Fayetteville | $0.73 |
| 31 | Harrison | $0.78 |
| 32 | Berryville | $0.88 |
| 33 | White Hall | $0.67 |
| 34 | Springdale | $0.83 |
| 35 | Cabot | $0.64 |
| 36 | Siloam Springs | $0.79 |
| 37 | Batesville | $0.81 |
| 38 | Alma | $0.66 |
| 39 | Conway | $0.75 |
| 40 | Beebe | $0.52 |
| 41 | Greenwood | $0.70 |
| 42 | Stuttgart | $0.80 |
| 43 | Osceola | $0.78 |
| 44 | Searcy | $0.69 |
| 45 | Prairie Grove | $0.78 |
| 46 | Sherwood | $0.71 |
| 47 | Centerton | $0.68 |
| 48 | Marion | $0.77 |
| 49 | Pine Bluff | $0.84 |
| 50 | Hot Springs | $0.54 |
| 51 | Little Rock | $0.83 |
| 52 | North Little Rock | $0.91 |
| 53 | Jacksonville | $0.85 |
| 54 | Monticello | $0.84 |
| 55 | Pea Ridge | $0.76 |
| 56 | Wynne | $0.78 |
| 57 | Benton | $0.74 |
| 58 | Farmington | $0.77 |
| 59 | Maumelle | $0.69 |
| 60 | Lowell | $0.96 |
| 61 | Mountain Home | $0.82 |
| 62 | Bella Vista | $0.83 |
| 63 | Bryant | $0.85 |
| 64 | East End | $0.81 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
