No matter where you live, there are going to be negatives and Arkansas is no different. Poor health, low income and weird laws are common here and in many other states.
No state is perfect. There are down sides to everything and some of it is based on your preferences. However, I have lived in Arkansas all of my life and I find it to be a very pleasant and peaceful place to live.
I grew up in the suburbs of Little Rock and our town was friendly and small.
But there are a few details that set Arkansas apart from other states in a few categories.
1. One of the worst states to live in
In 2021, CNBC named Arkansas the 8th worst state to live in America. Why?
Well, they listed several reasons:
-“sweeping new restrictions on mail and absentee voting, stricter ID requirements and prohibitions against supplying food or water to voters in line” –source
-high crime rate
-poor health in a percentage of the population
However, the only city in Arkansas that made it to the list of dangerous cities in America by CBS News was Little Rock.
“The violent crime rate in Little Rock is 1,517 per 100,000 residents.
The aggravated assault rate in this city was nearly five times the national rate.” –source
In my opinion, Arkansas tends to be a fairly quiet place to live.
So…other states supply water and snacks to voters? I’m missing out!
2. 3rd Unhealthiest State in America
Arkansas made the list of top unhealthy states in a recent article on Quality Health.
“Arkansas earns its spot in the top three by having one of the lowest per-capita public health spending rates (less than $65 a person).” –source
Despite this, many Arkansans work hard to stay healthy and active.
Good News: Obesity is Declining
Here’s a bit of good news: obesity has been on the decline in Arkansas while the rest of the nation has seen an increase. If healthy living is your thing, there are many amazing places to hike in Arkansas and we abound in other outdoor activities like camping and fishing!
Healthy living is an important part of many Arkansans’ lives. In fact, you can visit some of our Arkansas Farms to pick up fresh foods to fuel your healthy lifestyle!
3. 3rd Poorest State in the Nation
“Arkansas was once dubbed “The Land of Opportunity” thanks to a period of industrialization and urbanization that followed World War II, but it currently ranks as one of the poorest states in the nation.” -source
The median household income in Arkansas is $47,597 and the poverty rate is 16.2%.
The good news is that Arkansas is also a land of amazing colleges and trade schools. There is always room for growth here!
4. Weird Laws
Like plenty of other states, Arkansas has it’s fair share of weird laws.
For example…
“No person shall sound the horn on a vehicle at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served after 9:00 P.M. -Little Rock City Code Sec. 18-54” –source
Also, in Fayetteville, it’s against the law to make bats or owls into burgers. Which is actually a really great law! I mean, who wants a bat burger? However, for better options, visit one of the ICONIC Restaurants in Arkansas.
Thankfully, I don’t think you’ll get arrested for honking in Little Rock after 9:00 p.m.
5. The humidity is real
Since Arkansas is in a sub-tropical climate, the humidity is a real problem in the summer. I just came in from a morning walk and I nearly melted. Over the weekend, temperatures here reached 100 degrees and the humidity felt like it was around 200%. When you walked outside, the wet air hit you in the face.
However, the sub-tropical climate also means that our winters are generally mild and very pleasant.
“The topography of the land and its proximity to the plains to the west and the Gulf of Mexico to the south play a crucial role in its climate and weather. In the United States, warm, moist air travels into the plains from the Gulf of Mexico and interacts with cool, dry air coming over the Rocky Mountains. Strong, low pressure or cold fronts can lift this moisture and quickly produce super cell thunderstorms. The flat terrain of the plains gives the inflow hardly any friction to slow down the rapid growth of these destructive storms. The state of Arkansas is a microcosm of this dynamic, with mountainous terrain in the west and flat prairie to the east.” –source
You will also like: Does Arkansas Have 4 Seasons?
The good news
Every state in America is going to have negative points. That’s just the way it goes. However, the good always outweighs the bad.
Arkansas is a great place to vacation, there are unique places to stay and the locals are friendly.
Come on over!
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