Is Paragould Safe, Pros and cons of living in Paragould
Paragould, Arkansas, offers a blend of small-town charm with growing amenities, making it an appealing destination for those seeking a quieter pace of life. Nestled in the northeastern part of the state, this Greene County seat provides a community-focused atmosphere. Its location on the edge of Crowley’s Ridge adds a unique natural landscape to its surroundings.
The city has experienced steady population growth over the past decade, indicating an increasing interest in what Paragould has to offer. Its cost of living is generally considered affordable, particularly regarding housing, which can be attractive for individuals and families looking to establish roots. Paragould aims to provide a balanced lifestyle with access to essential services and a developing economic base.
Is it Safe to Live in Paragould?
Violent Crime Rates
Paragould faces challenges with its crime rates, which are notably higher than both state and national averages. The city has one of the higher crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Paragould is 1 in 109 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This statistic places Paragould in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime (as reported by AreaVibes).
The average violent crime rate in Paragould stands at 236.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 122.7% above the national average (as reported by Crime Explorer). These figures suggest a need for increased safety awareness and community engagement. When considering safety, it’s important to examine crime data across different neighborhoods within the city.
Property Crime Rates
Property crime in Paragould also presents a concern, with rates exceeding national and state averages. Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Paragould is 1 in 34 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This rate translates to 29 property crimes per one thousand population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
The average property crime rate is 328.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 100.8% above the national average (as reported by Crime Explorer). The most common offense recorded in Paragould is property crime, which includes burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson (as reported by Crime Explorer).
Overall Safety Perception
Paragould has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 80% (as reported by AreaVibes). The city ranks in the 30th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 30% of cities, while being less safe than 70% (as reported by Crime Explorer). Residents generally consider the north part of the city to be the safest, with chances of being a victim of crime varying by neighborhood, from 1 in 20 in the east to 1 in 43 in the north (as reported by Crime Explorer).
The cost of crime per resident in Paragould is $511 per year, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Crime Explorer). Understanding these statistics is crucial for potential residents to make informed decisions about safety in Paragould.
Cost of Living in Paragould
Housing Costs
Housing in Paragould is generally more affordable than the national average. The average rent in Paragould is $895 per month (as reported by Zumper), which is 53% lower than the national average. The median home value in Paragould is approximately $191,096, showing a slight increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow).
For renters, the cost of living is notably lower than the national average. The median monthly rent is $825 (as reported by Zillow), with houses renting between $650 and $1,700. This affordability in housing makes Paragould an attractive option for many.
Overall Expenses
The overall cost of living in Paragould is slightly higher than the state average but generally aligns with or is slightly below the national average. For a single adult with no dependents, a pre-tax salary of around $67,000 is recommended to live comfortably (as reported by Apartments.com). Household bills in Paragould are 28% lower than the U.S. median, with an average monthly expense of $1,514 (as reported by doxo).
While groceries are slightly lower than the national average, utilities can be higher. Transportation costs are also slightly elevated compared to the national average. These factors contribute to a cost of living that is generally manageable for residents.
Job Market and Economy
Major Employers
Paragould’s economy is supported by a diverse range of employers across various sectors. Key industries contributing to the job market include manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA). Some of the largest companies by revenue in the greater Paragould area include Walmart, McDonald’s, and Dollar General (as reported by Indeed.com).
Manufacturing companies like Gerdau, Nidec Motor Corporation, and Anchor Packaging are significant employers in the region (as reported by Indeed.com). In the healthcare sector, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center is a notable employer (as reported by Lensa).
Employment and Salaries
The unemployment rate in Paragould was 5.70% as of April 2026, which is lower than the long-term average (as reported by YCharts). The average annual salary in Paragould is approximately $44,221 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a median individual income of $30,421 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons) and an average annual salary of $50,486 in April 2026 (as reported by ReadySetHire).
Salaries can range significantly, with the 25th percentile earning around $31,207 and the 75th percentile earning up to $53,183 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Top-paying jobs in Paragould include Nurse Practitioner roles, followed by positions in engineering and nursing (as reported by ZipRecruiter, ReadySetHire).
Climate in Paragould
Temperatures
Paragould experiences a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. The average temperature ranges from a low of 28°F in January to a high of 90°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The hot season lasts from May to September, with daily high temperatures often exceeding 81°F.
Conversely, the cold season extends from November to February, with average daily high temperatures below 54°F. The coldest month is January, with average lows around 31°F. The city rarely experiences temperatures below 17°F or above 96°F (as reported by Climate). The best times to visit for comfortable weather are typically April to May and October (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Rainfall and Sunshine
The annual precipitation in Paragould is approximately 51 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). April typically sees the most rainfall, with an average of 5 inches, while August has the least, averaging 2.3 inches (as reported by Climate).
Paragould enjoys around 2,838 hours of sunshine annually, with the sunniest months being June through September. These months often feature mostly clear skies and sunshine percentages around 73–75% (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Wet days, defined as having at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, are more common from March to August.
Education in Paragould
School District Performance
The Paragould School District serves students from preschool through 12th grade and is considered above average (as reported by Niche). It has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, with 3,163 students (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 28% of students are proficient in math and 27% in reading (as reported by Niche).
Paragould School District is ranked within the top 50% of all school districts in Arkansas based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data (as reported by Public School Review). However, the district faces challenges, particularly at the high school level, where proficiency rates tend to underperform state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
School Rankings and Demographics
Top-ranked public schools in Paragould include Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Greene Cty Tech Middle School, and Greene Cty Tech Intermediate School (as reported by Niche). Public schools in Paragould have an average ranking of 6 out of 10, placing them in the top 50% of Arkansas public schools (as reported by Niche).
Minority enrollment in Paragould’s public schools is about 16% of the student body, which is lower than the Arkansas public school average (as reported by Niche). Approximately 99% of K-12 students in Paragould are educated in public schools (as reported by Niche).
Demographics of Paragould
Population and Age
Paragould has a population of approximately 30,285 residents (as reported by Livability.com). The city’s population has been growing, with an estimated 31,188 residents in 2026 (as reported by Population.com). The median age in Paragould is around 36.2 years (as reported by Data Commons), which is slightly younger than the national median age.
The age distribution shows about 25.4% of residents are under 18, and 16.2% are 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). This indicates a significant proportion of the population is within the working-age demographic.
Racial and Ethnic Makeup
The racial composition of Paragould is predominantly White. As of the 2020 census, 97.9% of the population identified as White (as reported by Wikipedia). Other racial groups include Black or African American, Asian, Native American, and multiracial populations, each comprising smaller percentages.
Hispanic or Latino individuals make up a small portion of the population, with 1.3% of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race (as reported by Wikipedia). The majority of residents are Non-Hispanic, with White (Non-Hispanic) being the most common ethnic group.