Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
27%
Over 65
17%
Van Buren, AR
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$618
Population
24,521
Renter Mix
40% Rent
A picturesque riverside community with Fort Smith at your fingertips
Suburb
•
Commuter
•
River
Van Buren is a suburban city positioned just north of Fort Smith on the bank of the Arkansas River. The city is home to a beautifully preserved Main Street historic district, featuring magnificent Victorian buildings such as the stunning Crawford County Bank Building and the Italian-style county courthouse. The easy access to Fort Smith makes Van Buren a great option for commuters, with the local rental market offering a broad selection of affordable apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. Lee Creek Park provides a great venue for spending quality time outdoors with scenic views of the river, and Ozark National Forest sits just a short drive to the northeast.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$52,798
Average: $64,296
Education
4,406
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
10,590
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Van Buren has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
40%
Non-Renters
60%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
14%
Other Education
86%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Van Buren, AR is $618 for one bedroom, $834 for two bedrooms, and $898 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Van Buren has decreased by -1.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$618/month
627 Sq Ft
House
$1,393/month
1,219 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Van Buren, AR is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
439 Students
Oliver Springs Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
435 Students
Public
Grades K-5
418 Students
Public
Grades K-5
416 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
421 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
749 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
433 Students
Butterfield Junior High School
Public
Grades 6-8
548 Students
Public
Grades 7-9
744 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,287 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
433 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Fort Smith National Historic Site
- Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
Military Bases
Airports
- Fort Smith Regional
Colleges
Top Apartments in Van Buren
Houses for Rent in Van Buren
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
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Nearby City Guides
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.