Chidester ZIP Codes — Ouachita County, AR

There is one unique ZIP code in Chidester, Arkansas and it is 71726. Area code: 870.

ZIP codes

194.30

sq mi land

4.52

sq mi water

870

area code

Chidester, AR ZIP code map

About Chidester, AR

Chidester is a charming small city located in Ouachita County, Arkansas. Known for its rich community spirit, the city offers a glimpse into the serene lifestyle of rural Arkansas. Its picturesque landscapes and friendly residents make Chidester a unique place to live or visit.

Location & geography

Chidester is situated in the southern part of Arkansas, surrounded by the natural beauty of Ouachita County. The city is approximately 25 miles east of Camden, 40 miles north of El Dorado, and about 100 miles southwest of Little Rock. It encompasses a total land area of 194.30 square miles, with 4.52 square miles of water, providing a diverse ecosystem and beautiful terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Chidester is defined by its tight-knit community and a focus on local industry. Residents often engage in agricultural activities, as farming plays a significant role in the local economy. Daily life in Chidester includes community events and a strong emphasis on family values, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.

Transportation

Chidester is accessible primarily via Arkansas Highway 51, connecting residents to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is South Arkansas Regional Airport located in El Dorado, approximately 40 miles away. Public transportation options may be limited, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Chidester was founded in the late 19th century and has a legacy tied to agriculture and timber industries. Over the years, the city has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to modern developments. Notable events in the area often celebrate local heritage and the agricultural lifestyle that has defined the community.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Chidester is its name, which is believed to be derived from a local family or the area’s early settlers. Additionally, despite its small size, Chidester has become a hub for the agricultural community in Ouachita County.

ZIP codes for Chidester, AR (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
71726	Chidester	Ouachita	View map

Demographics & statistics

913

Population

56.7

Median age

$29,367

Median household income

$25,630

Per capita income

$81,100

Median home value

$389

Median monthly rent

87.0%

Home ownership

32.4%

Poverty rate

0.0%

Unemployment

828

Housing units

9.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	83	9.1%
18 and over	830	90.9%
65 and over	302	33.1%
Median age	56.7 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 60.8%

White 36.5%

Two or more races 1.9%

Asian 0.9%

Group	Count	%
Black or African American	555	60.8%
White	333	36.5%
Two or more races	17	1.9%
Asian	8	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 15.3%

$10k–$15k 7.1%

$15k–$25k 12.8%

$25k–$35k 21.4%

$35k–$50k 13.9%

$50k–$75k 7.6%

$75k–$100k 7.8%

$100k–$150k 8.8%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k+ 1.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	15.3%
$10k–$15k	7.1%
$15k–$25k	12.8%
$25k–$35k	21.4%
$35k–$50k	13.9%
$50k–$75k	7.6%
$75k–$100k	7.8%
$100k–$150k	8.8%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
$200k+	1.3%
Median income	$29,367

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 22.5%

$50k–$100k 38.6%

$100k–$150k 21.3%

$150k–$200k 4.8%

$200k–$300k 10.9%

$500k–$1M 1.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$81,100
Median rent / month	$389
Owner occupied	87.0%
Renter occupied	13.0%
Vacant	46.5%
Single-family detached	80.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	17.1%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	1.77

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.2%
2000–2009	13.3%
1990–1999	11.7%
1980–1989	15.4%
1970–1979	19.4%
1960–1969	8.1%
1950–1959	13.0%
1940–1949	3.4%
1939 or earlier	8.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.2%
1 bedroom	9.0%
2 bedrooms	41.1%
3 bedrooms	36.9%
4 bedrooms	12.5%
5+ bedrooms	0.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	10.7%
1 vehicle	40.5%
2 vehicles	28.6%
3 or more	20.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	27.9%
Electricity	39.9%
Propane / LP gas	30.0%
Wood	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	180	37.8%
Cohabiting couple	7	1.5%
Male householder, no spouse	152	31.9%
Female householder, no spouse	137	28.8%
Households with children under 18	43	9.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	226	47.5%
Average household size	1.92

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.2%	5.5%
Married	39.0%	52.9%
Separated	0.6%	0.8%
Widowed	8.8%	30.3%
Divorced	21.4%	10.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.2%

Some HS, no diploma 11.2%

HS graduate 46.6%

Some college, no degree 24.9%

Associate's degree 7.2%

Bachelor's degree 8.3%

Graduate / professional 1.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.6%
Bachelor's or higher	9.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	3	3.6%
Elementary school	56	66.7%
High school	24	28.6%
College / grad school	1	1.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Transportation & utilities 29.8%

Manufacturing 23.6%

Education & healthcare 17.5%

Public administration 11.6%

Retail trade 6.5%

Agriculture & mining 5.5%

Construction 2.1%

Professional & management 1.7%

Other services 1.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	22.3%
Service	13.0%
Sales & office	9.2%
Natural resources & construction	21.2%
Production & transportation	34.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.8%
Government	17.8%
Self-employed	0.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.6%
Carpool	8.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	6.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	42.7

Poverty

All people 32.4%

Under 18 years 31.3%

18 and over 32.5%

Married-couple families 13.3%

Female-led households 80.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	60.5%
Retirement income	19.7%
Supplemental Security	10.9%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	25.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	51.3%
High cholesterol	41.6%
Heart disease	9.8%
Stroke	5.0%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	32.4%
Kidney disease	4.2%
Pulmonary disease	9.9%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	11.7%
No physical activity	35.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.4%
Fair or poor health	23.5%
Poor mental health	14.3%
Poor physical health	14.7%
No health insurance	14.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.1%
Visited dentist	58.3%
Cholesterol screening	92.3%
Teeth loss	18.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	106	12.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	47.5%
Under 18	28.9%
18–64 years	42.4%
65 and over	61.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	29.5%
Public insurance	73.2%
Uninsured under 19	2.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	913	100.0%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	905	99.1%
Born in same state	905	99.1%
Born in different state	624	68.3%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	8	0.9%
Not a US citizen	8	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	61	6.7%
Italian	51	5.6%
Arab	38	4.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	6	0.7%
English	3	0.3%
German	1	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	52.1%
Internet access	83.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Chidester, AR have?

Chidester, AR has one ZIP code: 71726. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.