Fort Smith, AR Demographics

A map of Fort Smith's Population by Race

Fort Smith, Arkansas has an estimated population of 89,805, a less than 1% change from the 89,142 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 58.1% White, 20.5% Hispanic, 8.0% Multiracial, 7.0% Black, 5.3% Asian, and 1.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Fort Smith, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Fort Smith has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more 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 Fort Smith, that probability was 62.2% in 2020 and 60.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Fort Smith is ranked the 3rd 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). Fort Smith was ranked the 3rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Fort Smith's White Population

52,218 residents of Fort Smith, or 58.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Fort Smith is lower than in Arkansas overall, where 67.4% of the population is White. Fort Smith ranks 497th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Fort Smith's White population has grown by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Fort Smith's population has increased from 56.9% to 58.1%.

Fort Smith is more White than neighboring Moffett (54.5% White). Fort Smith is less White than neighboring Arkoma (81.2% White), Barling (71.6% White), Van Buren (69.3% White), and Bonanza (80.2% White).

Fort Smith's Black Population

6,285 residents of Fort Smith, or 7.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Fort Smith is lower than in Arkansas overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Fort Smith ranks 199th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Fort Smith's Black population has declined by an estimated 17.3%. Black residents' share of Fort Smith's population has decreased from 8.5% to 7.0%.

Fort Smith is more Black than neighboring Arkoma (0% Black), Barling (2.2% Black), Van Buren (2% Black), and Bonanza (0% Black). Fort Smith is less Black than neighboring Moffett (27.3% Black).

Fort Smith's Asian Population

4,738 residents of Fort Smith, or 5.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Fort Smith is slightly higher than in Arkansas overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Fort Smith ranks 10th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Fort Smith's Asian population has declined by an estimated 7.2%. Asian residents' share of Fort Smith's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.3%.

Fort Smith is more Asian than neighboring Arkoma (0% Asian), Van Buren (2.6% Asian), Moffett (0% Asian), and Bonanza (0.3% Asian). Fort Smith is less Asian than neighboring Barling (8.5% Asian).

Fort Smith's Hispanic Population

18,421 residents of Fort Smith, or 20.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Fort Smith is considerably higher than in Arkansas overall, where 9% of the population is Hispanic. Fort Smith ranks 33rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Fort Smith's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 5.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Fort Smith's population has increased from 19.6% to 20.5%.

Fort Smith is more Hispanic than neighboring Arkoma (4.5% Hispanic), Barling (13.3% Hispanic), Van Buren (15.7% Hispanic), Moffett (0% Hispanic), and Bonanza (10.1% Hispanic).

Fort Smith's Native American/Other Population

945 residents of Fort Smith, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Fort Smith is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Fort Smith ranks 96th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Fort Smith's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 48.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Fort Smith's population has decreased from 2.1% to 1.1%.

Fort Smith is more Native American/Other than neighboring Barling (0.2% Native American/Other), and Moffett (0% Native American/Other). Fort Smith is less Native American/Other than neighboring Arkoma (6% Native American/Other), Van Buren (2.3% Native American/Other), and Bonanza (5.5% Native American/Other).

Fort Smith's Multiracial Population

7,198 residents of Fort Smith, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Fort Smith is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 6.3% of the population is Multiracial. Fort Smith ranks 107th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Fort Smith's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 12.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Fort Smith's population has increased from 7.2% to 8.0%.

Fort Smith is more Multiracial than neighboring Barling (4.2% Multiracial), and Bonanza (3.9% Multiracial). Fort Smith is less Multiracial than neighboring Arkoma (8.2% Multiracial), Van Buren (8.2% 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.