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As we move through 2026, women in the United States continue to face significant challenges in the workforce, from wage disparities to underrepresentation in leadership roles. Despite some progress, the landscape for women remains complex, particularly in certain regions. In this article, we focus on Arkansas, exploring the best and worst cities for women in terms of economic opportunities and living conditions.
We have analyzed various factors to identify which cities in Arkansas present the most challenges for women. The findings reveal that location plays a crucial role in determining the quality of life and professional prospects for women.
Continue reading to discover the rankings and insights into the cities where women may encounter the greatest obstacles in Arkansas.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Arkansas
These rankings highlight the cities in Arkansas that pose the greatest challenges for women. Read on to understand the factors contributing to these rankings, or navigate to the conclusion for insights into the best cities for women in Arkansas.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Arkansas
We ranked each city based on four key factors:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Female Income as a Percentage of Male Income (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To assess the income gap between women and men in each city, we utilized the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the ratio of median male income to median female income to determine how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
For the percentage of women in poverty, we relied on ACS data, focusing specifically on women living without relatives. This demographic is typically younger and has lower earnings, resulting in a higher poverty rate that does not account for married women.
We examined the percentage of women in management roles using ACS data to gauge women’s representation in leadership positions, which is critical for understanding the opportunities available for advancement.
Finally, we used ACS data to analyze the percentage of uninsured women in each city.
Our analysis included only cities in Arkansas with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Camden
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.61
Women In Management: 36.0%
Women In Poverty: 37.0%
Women Uninsured: 8.3%
Camden ranks as the worst city for women in Arkansas, with poor scores across all assessed categories. Women in Camden face high rates of poverty and a significant lack of access to health insurance, indicating a challenging environment.
2. Warren
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.70
Women In Management: 34.0%
Women In Poverty: 32.9%
Women Uninsured: 12.3%
Warren is the second worst city for women, with high poverty rates and low representation in management contributing to its unfavorable ranking.
3. Heber Springs
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.50
Women In Management: 30.8%
Women In Poverty: 20.3%
Women Uninsured: 10.5%
Women in Heber Springs also face significant challenges, with a low percentage in management and a considerable number living in poverty.
4. Trumann
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women In Management: 14.6%
Women In Poverty: 25.7%
Women Uninsured: 6.8%
Trumann ranks fourth, with a low percentage of women in management and a substantial poverty rate among women.
5. Blytheville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.60
Women In Management: 33.3%
Women In Poverty: 29.0%
Women Uninsured: 7.5%
Blytheville is the fifth worst city, where despite better opportunities than the previous four, challenges remain prevalent for women.
6. Russellville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.64
Women In Management: 34.5%
Women In Poverty: 22.1%
Women Uninsured: 11.4%
Russellville ranks sixth, with a high percentage of women living in poverty and moderate representation in management roles.
7. Clarksville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women In Management: 30.5%
Women In Poverty: 28.2%
Women Uninsured: 8.6%
Clarksville presents a challenging environment for women, marked by high poverty rates and low earnings relative to male counterparts.
8. Magnolia
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.50
Women In Management: 62.2%
Women In Poverty: 32.4%
Women Uninsured: 11.0%
Magnolia faces significant challenges, with a high poverty rate and a stark income gap for women.
9. Pocahontas
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women In Management: 14.3%
Women In Poverty: 22.1%
Women Uninsured: 6.7%
Pocahontas exhibits significant income disparities and high poverty rates among women, reflecting broader systemic issues.
10. De Queen
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.72
Women In Management: 50.9%
Women In Poverty: 33.9%
Women Uninsured: 20.7%
In tenth place, De Queen shows some resilience with a higher percentage of women in management, yet challenges persist with significant poverty rates.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Arkansas
The cities outlined in this article represent the toughest environments for women in Arkansas. While systemic issues persist across the state, these locations present the most significant barriers to women’s success. The disparity in earnings, management representation, and access to healthcare highlights the need for ongoing efforts to improve conditions for women.
While Camden is ranked the worst, it’s important to recognize that individual experiences may vary. Women in these cities face unique challenges that can impact their livelihoods and overall well-being.
For a comprehensive overview, see the detailed list below.
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.
