Feb. 7, 2026 – For Black Arkansans, the state’s shifting population landscape is more than just numbers—it’s a story of resilience, opportunity, and challenge. As newly released Census Bureau 2025 estimates reveal, Arkansas’s overall population is growing, but the impact is uneven: vibrant urban centers like Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas are thriving, while historic Black communities in the Delta and Pine Bluff face steep declines.
Understanding these trends is essential for the state’s growing number of Black leaders and policymakers, as they shape the future of Black culture, economic opportunity, and community life across the Natural State.
Currently, Black mayors lead three of the 10 largest communities in Arkansas, with Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott and Fort Smith Mayor George McGill overseeing the state’s first- and third-most populous cities. Mayor Vivian Flowers, a former state lawmaker who served with McGill in the Arkansas Legislature, was elected as the top city official for Pine Bluff in November 2024…