Is Dumas Safe, Pros and cons of living in Dumas

Dumas, Arkansas, offers a glimpse into small-town American life, characterized by its agricultural roots and close-knit community. The city provides a slower pace of living, which can be appealing to those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of larger urban centers. Its location in the Arkansas Delta region shapes its landscape and influences its economy and culture.

The community is served by the Dumas School District, which caters to the educational needs of its younger residents. For those considering a move to Dumas, understanding the local environment, economic opportunities, and overall quality of life is essential for making an informed decision.

Is it Safe to Live in Dumas?

Safety in Dumas, Arkansas, presents a mixed picture. The city experiences a crime rate that is notably higher than many other communities of similar size across the United States. Your chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Dumas is one in 27 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crimes, including rape, murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault, are a concern, with a chance of being a victim of one of these crimes being one in 88 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Furthermore, Dumas has a higher murder rate compared to national averages for cities of all population sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Property crime also remains a significant issue, with a one in 39 chance of becoming a victim of burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, or arson (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The overall combined rate of violent and property crime is very high when compared to similarly sized communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Cost of Living and Housing

Housing Costs

The cost of living in Dumas, Arkansas, is generally lower than the national average. Monthly expenses for a single person are approximately $1,506, and for a family of four, they are around $3,573 (as reported by Salary.com). This affordability is largely driven by significantly lower housing costs.

Housing expenses in Dumas are approximately 69% lower than the U.S. national average, with a single person’s housing cost estimated at $372 per month and $683 per month for a family of four (as reported by Salary.com). These figures reflect a more accessible housing market compared to many other areas.

Rental Market

Information regarding the rental market in Dumas, TX, indicates a median rent of $900 as of January 2026 (as reported by Zumper). However, there is a notable lack of inventory, with zero rental listings currently active in Dumas, TX, according to realtor.com® (as of March 2026). This limited availability suggests that competition for rental properties could be high for those seeking to lease.

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Dumas’s economy is supported by various sectors, with key employers contributing to its employment landscape. Information on specific major employers in Dumas, AR, is not readily available in the provided search results. However, broader economic data for Dumas, TX, indicates that the economy employs approximately 6.71k people (as reported by Data USA).

Salaries and Wages

The average salary in Dumas, Arkansas, is approximately $63,371 annually as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). This translates to an hourly rate of about $30.47. The salary range in Dumas generally falls between $44,810 and $82,975 annually, indicating a wide spectrum of earning potential depending on occupation and experience (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

For comparison, the average salary in Dumas, Texas, is reported as $36,000 per year or $17.31 per hour (as reported by Zippia). The minimum wage in Dumas, TX, is $7.25 per hour, which is equal to the Federal Minimum Wage (as reported by Zippia).

Unemployment Rate

As of April 2026, the national unemployment rate was 4.3 percent (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Specific unemployment data for Dumas, Arkansas, is not detailed in the provided search results. However, for Dumas, Texas, the 2019 annual average unemployment rate was 2.85% (as reported by DUMAS EDC).

Climate and Environment

Temperatures and Rainfall

Dumas, Texas, experiences a climate with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (as reported by DUMAS EDC). Summers are typically hot and mostly clear, with temperatures ranging from 24°F to 92°F and rarely exceeding 100°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The average annual rainfall in Dumas is approximately 20 inches (as reported by DUMAS EDC). The wettest months are typically May, June, and September, with measurable precipitation averaging between 1 and 5 inches per month (as reported by DUMAS EDC). Winters are cold, windy, and partly cloudy, with average low temperatures around 25°F in December (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Snowfall averages about 10 inches per year, and it rarely remains on the ground for extended periods (as reported by DUMAS EDC).

Education and Demographics

School Ratings

In Dumas, Arkansas, the Dumas School District received an overall Niche grade of C, with a rating of 3.8 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). The district serves approximately 947 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. State test scores indicate that 18% of students are proficient in math and 23% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Dumas High School in Arkansas has a graduation rate of 92% (as reported by Public School Review). However, it ranks in the bottom half of Arkansas high schools, with a statewide ranking of 264 out of 291 (as reported by SchoolDigger). Proficiency in English Language Arts is at 14%, and math proficiency is at 7.5% (as reported by SchoolDigger).

In contrast, Dumas Independent School District in Texas holds an overall Niche grade of B, with a rating of 3.95 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). This district serves 4,301 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. State test scores show 42% of students are proficient in math and 52% in reading (as reported by Niche). Dumas High School in Texas has a 99% graduation rate (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

Dumas, Arkansas, has a population of 3,768 residents, with a median age of 41.2 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is 40.7% male and 59.3% female (as reported by Point2Homes). Approximately 55.8% of the population has a high school education, while 20.3% have pursued college studies (as reported by Point2Homes).

Dumas, Texas, has a population of 14,500 people, with 82.2% being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The demographic makeup includes 58.1% Hispanic, 29.6% White, 4.9% Multiracial, and 4.8% Black or African American residents (as reported by Data USA). As of 2024, 25.1% of Dumas, TX residents were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).