Hope - Hempstead County - Chamber of Commerce
Hope - Hempstead County - Economic Development
Hope - Hempstead County - Tourism, Explore Southwest Arkansas

Why Hempstead County?




Hempstead County is located in Southwest Arkansas along I-30 with Hope as the county seat. We are located in the middle of North America in the heart of a four-state region; Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, & Oklahoma. 

Our nearest Metropolitan Statistical Area is 35 minutes southwest in Texarkana, AR/TX with Dallas, Texas just 2.5 hours away.

One hour and 45 minutes northeast you will find Little Rock, Arkansas and on to Tennessee.
One hour 30 minutes south is Shreveport, Louisiana.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma is one hour and 30 minutes west.


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Hempstead County community is an industrial and agriculturally based economy with a strong work ethics among its workforce. The economy is based on poultry processing, bakery goods, and the manufacture of steel joists, auto parts, wood products, audio equipment, and molded plastics.

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Hempstead County has developed as a shipping center for timber and agricultural products, notably watermelons, beef cattle, eggs, and poultry. Hempstead has 14 Motor Freight Companies serving our area, 5 local terminals, Union Pacific and Kiamichi Railroad service Hempstead County as well. There are 5 major highways and 2 Interstate Exits that intersect in Hempstead County. We have an Amtrak Stop and a general aviation airport next to our Industrial Park with capability of landing Air Force One.
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Other Quick Facts about Hempstead County:

  • Population within a 30-minute drive time is 79,000, 60-minute drive time population is 370,000 and 23,000 live within Hempstead County.
  • Hempstead County Unemployment Rate is 4.3% and the 9th lowest average in Arkansas. 
  • Cost of Living in Hempstead is 6% lower than the Arkansas Average and 21% lower than the National Average.
  • Hempstead County housing is 52% lower than the national average.
  • Hempstead County real estate prices are 34% lower than the Arkansas average.
  • Rental prices in Hope are 12% lower than the Arkansas average.
  • Arkansas state income tax is 19% lower than the national average
  • Arkansas has been ranked as having the lowest cost of doing business. 


Market Guide:

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More Resources:


Southwest Arkansas Development Alliance
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