The Town FilesNewport, Arkansas
City in Jackson County · population 8,005 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $162,600
- Household income
- $34,764
- Jan low / Jul high
- 30° / 89°
- Snow a year
- 3 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 37
- Median age
- 38.8
Newport is a city of 8,005 people in Jackson County, Arkansas. The median home is worth $162,600, above the typical Arkansas town ($128,600). It ranks better for cycling than 98% of Arkansas towns, better for young professionals than 80% of Arkansas towns, more vibrant than 70% of Arkansas towns.
How Newport 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 Newport is worth $162,600, above the typical Arkansas town ($128,600). Homes cost about 4.7 times the median household income of $34,764, which is more affordable than 4% of Arkansas towns. Median rent is $597 a month. 55.1% of households own their home.
| Housing | Newport | Typical Arkansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $162,600 | $128,600 |
| Median rent | $597 | $792 |
| Median household income | $34,764 | $50,408 |
| Home value ÷ income | 4.7× | 2.7× |
| Homeownership | 55.1% | 64.9% |
| Median year built | 1971 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Newport
| People | Newport | Typical Arkansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8 | 37.8 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.5% | 17.2% |
| Under 18 | 18.0% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.3% | 16.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 30.4% | 19.7% |
| Veterans | 6.2% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.3% | — |
| Work from home | 0.8% | 5.3% |
| Average commute | 13.5 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 84.4% | 84.4% |
Weather in Newport
July highs average 89.4°F and January lows 29.6°F. About 51.2 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 2.6 inches of snow (typical Arkansas town: 2.6 in). Expect about 56 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 60 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
37 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Newport since 1950, compared with 24 for the typical Arkansas town. 14 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F4, struck on May 15, 1968 about 7.9 miles from the town center and killed 1. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 3 deaths and 53 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on December 10, 2021.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 45 times; the largest was 2.75 inches on January 22, 2012.
Severe weather in Jackson County since 1996
Jackson County has been included in 35 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, tornado.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3636: Severe Winter Storm |
| May 21, 2025 | Flood | DR-4873: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| May 8, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4865: Severe Storms And Tornadoes |
| April 5, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3627: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| December 23, 2021 | Tornado | DR-4633: Severe Storms And Tornadoes |
Jobs and pay in Jackson County
Jackson County had 5,130 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $49,233 a year. Unemployment was 5.1% in 2023; in Newport itself the ACS puts it at 8.7%.
Public schools in Newport
3 public schools with 1,239 students, about 10.2 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEWPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | PK-5 | 675 | 15.3 |
| NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL | 6-12 | 564 | 7.2 |
| ASU NEWPORT SEC CAREER CENTER (IGNITE) | 9-12 | — | — |
Towns near Newport
- Southside, AR23.3 mi · 4,279 people · home $151,300
- Batesville, AR24.1 mi · 11,191 people · home $163,600
- Bald Knob, AR28.8 mi · 2,522 people · home $142,400
Newport questions
Is Newport, Arkansas a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Newport scores better for retirees than 22% of Arkansas towns and quieter than 36%. 18.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.8).
How much does a house cost in Newport?
The median owner-occupied home in Newport is valued at $162,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $34,764, so homes cost about 4.7 times income. Median rent is $597 a month.
What is the weather like in Newport?
July highs average 89.4°F and January lows 29.6°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 51.2 inches of precipitation a year and 2.6 inches of snow.
Does Newport get tornadoes?
37 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Newport since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F4 on May 15, 1968. 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)