Charleston, AR Demographics

A map of Charleston's Population by Race

Charleston, Arkansas has an estimated population of 2,646, a slight increase from the 2,588 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 83.6% White, 12.3% Multiracial, 1.5% Native American/Other, 1.2% Hispanic, 0.8% Black, and 0.5% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Charleston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Charleston has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Charleston, that probability was 21.9% in 2020 and 28.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Charleston is ranked the 118th 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). Charleston was ranked the 116th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Charleston's White Population

2,213 residents of Charleston, or 83.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Charleston is significantly higher than in Arkansas overall, where 67.4% of the population is White. Charleston ranks 210th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's White population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Charleston's population has decreased from 88.1% to 83.6%.

Charleston is more White than neighboring Ratcliff (81.4% White). Charleston is less White than neighboring Branch (89.9% White), Lavaca (87.5% White), Caulksville (96.4% White), and Central City (88.8% White).

Charleston's Black Population

22 residents of Charleston, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Charleston is considerably lower than in Arkansas overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Charleston ranks 344th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.3%. Black residents' share of Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Charleston is more Black than neighboring Branch (0% Black), Ratcliff (0% Black), Caulksville (0% Black), and Central City (0.5% Black). Charleston is less Black than neighboring Lavaca (1.1% Black).

Charleston's Asian Population

14 residents of Charleston, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Charleston ranks 246th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Asian population has grown by an estimated 55.6%. Asian residents' share of Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Charleston is more Asian than neighboring Lavaca (0% Asian), and Caulksville (0% Asian). Charleston is less Asian than neighboring Branch (1.3% Asian), Ratcliff (5.2% Asian), and Central City (1.4% Asian).

Charleston's Hispanic Population

31 residents of Charleston, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Charleston is lower than in Arkansas overall, where 9% of the population is Hispanic. Charleston ranks 381st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 56.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Charleston's population has decreased from 2.7% to 1.2%.

Charleston is more Hispanic than neighboring Branch (0.6% Hispanic), and Caulksville (0.5% Hispanic). Charleston is less Hispanic than neighboring Lavaca (3.1% Hispanic), Ratcliff (2.1% Hispanic), and Central City (6.2% Hispanic).

Charleston's Native American/Other Population

41 residents of Charleston, or 1.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Charleston ranks 163rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 17.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Charleston is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lavaca (0.2% Native American/Other), Ratcliff (1% Native American/Other), Caulksville (0% Native American/Other), and Central City (0.5% Native American/Other). Charleston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Branch (2.2% Native American/Other).

Charleston's Multiracial Population

325 residents of Charleston, or 12.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Charleston is higher than in Arkansas overall, where 6.3% of the population is Multiracial. Charleston ranks 137th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 91.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Charleston's population has increased from 6.6% to 12.3%.

Charleston is more Multiracial than neighboring Branch (6% Multiracial), Lavaca (8.2% Multiracial), Ratcliff (10.3% Multiracial), Caulksville (3.1% Multiracial), and Central City (2.6% 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.