The Town FilesFordyce, Arkansas
City in Dallas County · population 3,396 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $92,600
- Household income
- $38,079
- Jan low / Jul high
- 31° / 91°
- Snow a year
- 1 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 12
- Median age
- 42.4
Fordyce is a city of 3,396 people in Dallas County, Arkansas. The median home is worth $92,600, below the typical Arkansas town ($128,600). It ranks hipper than 86% of Arkansas towns, more of a college town than 84% of Arkansas towns, more walkable than 82% of Arkansas towns.
- #8 in 25 Small Towns in Arkansas With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
- #12 in 25 Small Towns in Arkansas With the Cheapest Homes
- #20 in The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Arkansas
- #20 in The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Arkansas
- #22 in 25 Small Towns in Arkansas With the Mildest Winters
- #23 in The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Arkansas
How Fordyce ranks
Percentile among Arkansas towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Arkansas towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Fordyce is worth $92,600, below the typical Arkansas town ($128,600). Homes cost about 2.4 times the median household income of $38,079, which is more affordable than 66% of Arkansas towns. Median rent is $639 a month. 66.1% of households own their home.
| Housing | Fordyce | Typical Arkansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $92,600 | $128,600 |
| Median rent | $639 | $792 |
| Median household income | $38,079 | $50,408 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.4× | 2.7× |
| Homeownership | 66.1% | 64.9% |
| Median year built | 1976 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 13.5% | — |
Who lives in Fordyce
| People | Fordyce | Typical Arkansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 | 37.8 |
| Age 65 and over | 25.2% | 17.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 16.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 17.1% | 19.7% |
| Veterans | 6.4% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.2% | — |
| Work from home | 0.6% | 5.3% |
| Average commute | 25.1 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 76.7% | 84.4% |
Weather in Fordyce
July highs average 91.0°F and January lows 30.8°F. About 57.6 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 1.2 inches of snow (typical Arkansas town: 2.6 in). Expect about 65 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 71 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
12 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Fordyce since 1950, compared with 24 for the typical Arkansas town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on January 22, 2012 about 4.2 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 6 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on March 11, 2026.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 31 times; the largest was 2.25 inches on March 28, 2014.
Severe weather in Dallas County since 1996
Dallas County has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, tornado, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3636: Severe Winter Storm |
| May 21, 2025 | Flood | DR-4873: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| April 5, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3627: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| April 4, 2023 | Winter Storm | DR-4700: Severe Winter Storm |
| August 27, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3541: Hurricane Laura |
Jobs and pay in Dallas County
Dallas County had 2,595 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $44,813 a year. Unemployment was 3.9% in 2023; in Fordyce itself the ACS puts it at 12.4%.
Public schools in Fordyce
2 public schools with 724 students, about 13.4 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORDYCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS | PK-6 | 370 | 14.2 |
| FORDYCE HIGH SCHOOL | 7-12 | 354 | 12.6 |
Towns near Fordyce
- Warren, AR24.6 mi · 5,453 people · home $76,700
Fordyce questions
Is Fordyce, Arkansas a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Fordyce scores better for retirees than 11% of Arkansas towns and quieter than 5%. 25.2% of residents are 65 or older (median age 42.4).
How much does a house cost in Fordyce?
The median owner-occupied home in Fordyce is valued at $92,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $38,079, so homes cost about 2.4 times income. Median rent is $639 a month.
What is the weather like in Fordyce?
July highs average 91.0°F and January lows 30.8°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 57.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1.2 inches of snow.
Does Fordyce get tornadoes?
12 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Fordyce since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on January 22, 2012. The typical Arkansas town has had 24.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)