About Arkansas Counts

Arkansas Counts is a people-powered effort working toward a complete count of every Arkansan in the 2030 Census.

As a statewide effort powered by local voices, we work alongside local governments, community-based organizations, faith leaders, educators, and local partners who already know and serve their communities best.

We know that not everyone has been fully counted in the past—and that has real consequences. So we’re starting early, building strong relationships, and working together to make sure every Arkansan has a fair shot at the resources, representation, and opportunities they deserve.

Whether you are a nonprofit, local leader, business, or community member, you have a role to play by joining the Arkansas Counts coalition. We provide the training, resources, and trust-building tools you need to reach your community, share trusted information, and be part of a statewide effort to ensure everyone is counted.

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Arkansas Counts coordinates a statewide, community-driven effort to prepare for and support a complete count in the 2030 Census. Our work focuses on:

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Engaging trusted messengers

We partner with faith leaders, educators, nonprofits, and community voices to share clear, culturally relevant information about the census in the places people already trust.

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Building and aligning partnerships

We connect regional coalitions, local organizations, and statewide institutions to share resources, avoid duplication, and maximize impact across Arkansas.

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Advancing digital readiness

As the census becomes increasingly online, we collaborate with broadband leaders, libraries, and community hubs to ensure Arkansans have the access, tools, and confidence to participate.

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Driving targeted outreach

We prioritize engagement with historically undercounted communities—including rural residents, renters, families with young children, and communities of color—through hyper-local, relationship-based strategies.

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Using data to improve impact

We track progress, gather community feedback, and continuously adapt our approach to ensure outreach efforts are effective, responsive, and aligned statewide.

Why does the census matter for Arkansas?

The census shapes Arkansas’s future.

Every 10 years, census data determines how billions of federal dollars are distributed and how communities are represented in government. For Arkansas, that means more than $23 billion each year—funding that supports schools, healthcare, infrastructure, housing, and public services.

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When people are missed, communities lose out.

In 2020, Arkansas experienced one of the highest undercounts in the nation and thousands of residents were not fully counted. That gap translates into lost funding, reduced representation, and fewer resources for the communities that need them most.

A complete and accurate count in 2030 is an opportunity to change that.

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By ensuring every Arkansan is counted, we can strengthen our schools, improve healthcare access, invest in infrastructure, and build a more equitable future for all.