Van Buren, AR Demographics

A map of Van Buren's Population by Race

Van Buren, Arkansas has an estimated population of 23,763, a slight increase from the 23,218 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 69.3% White, 15.7% Hispanic, 8.2% Multiracial, 2.6% Asian, 2.3% Native American/Other, and 2.0% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Van Buren, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Van Buren has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Arkansas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Van Buren, that probability was 46.9% in 2020 and 48.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Van Buren is ranked the 21st most populous place in Arkansas, out of 625 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Van Buren was ranked the 21st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Van Buren's White Population

16,461 residents of Van Buren, or 69.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Van Buren is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 67.4% of the population is White. Van Buren ranks 422nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Buren's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Van Buren's population has decreased from 71.1% to 69.3%.

Van Buren is more White than neighboring Fort Smith (58.1% White), and Moffett (54.5% White). Van Buren is less White than neighboring Dora (75.7% White), Kibler (94.4% White), and Cedarville (84.4% White).

Van Buren's Black Population

482 residents of Van Buren, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Van Buren is considerably lower than in Arkansas overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Van Buren ranks 268th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Buren's Black population has declined by an estimated 15.4%. Black residents' share of Van Buren's population has decreased from 2.5% to 2.0%.

Van Buren is more Black than neighboring Dora (0% Black), Kibler (0% Black), and Cedarville (0% Black). Van Buren is less Black than neighboring Fort Smith (7% Black), and Moffett (27.3% Black).

Van Buren's Asian Population

610 residents of Van Buren, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Van Buren is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Van Buren ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Buren's Asian population has declined by an estimated 13.8%. Asian residents' share of Van Buren's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Van Buren is more Asian than neighboring Dora (0% Asian), Moffett (0% Asian), Kibler (0% Asian), and Cedarville (0.7% Asian). Van Buren is less Asian than neighboring Fort Smith (5.3% Asian).

Van Buren's Hispanic Population

3,726 residents of Van Buren, or 15.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Van Buren is higher than in Arkansas overall, where 9% of the population is Hispanic. Van Buren ranks 57th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Buren's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 21.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Van Buren's population has increased from 13.2% to 15.7%.

Van Buren is more Hispanic than neighboring Dora (0% Hispanic), Moffett (0% Hispanic), Kibler (0.8% Hispanic), and Cedarville (7.6% Hispanic). Van Buren is less Hispanic than neighboring Fort Smith (20.5% Hispanic).

Van Buren's Native American/Other Population

541 residents of Van Buren, or 2.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Van Buren is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Van Buren ranks 61st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Buren's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Van Buren's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.3%.

Van Buren is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dora (0% Native American/Other), Fort Smith (1.1% Native American/Other), Moffett (0% Native American/Other), Kibler (1% Native American/Other), and Cedarville (0.5% Native American/Other).

Van Buren's Multiracial Population

1,943 residents of Van Buren, or 8.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Van Buren is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 6.3% of the population is Multiracial. Van Buren ranks 95th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Buren's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 11.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Van Buren's population has increased from 7.5% to 8.2%.

Van Buren is more Multiracial than neighboring Fort Smith (8% Multiracial), Kibler (3.8% Multiracial), and Cedarville (6.8% Multiracial). Van Buren is less Multiracial than neighboring Dora (24.3% Multiracial), and Moffett (18.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.