Van Buren ZIP Codes — Crawford County, AR

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Van Buren, Arkansas. Area code: 479.

ZIP codes

103.76

sq mi land

3.73

sq mi water

479

area code

Van Buren, AR ZIP code map

About Van Buren, AR

Van Buren, Arkansas, is a charming city located in Crawford County, known for its rich history and vibrant community. It serves as the county seat and offers a blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences. With a colorful array of local businesses and a picturesque downtown area, Van Buren attracts both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Van Buren is strategically positioned in western Arkansas, neighboring the larger city of Fort Smith just eight miles to the southwest. The city encompasses a land area of 103.76 square miles, with an additional 3.73 square miles dedicated to water. The region features a diverse terrain, combining rolling hills and the Arkansas River, which contributes to its scenic beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Van Buren is defined by its strong sense of community and friendly residents, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all. Local industries are varied, with a focus on retail, healthcare, and education, providing a stable economic foundation. Daily life in Van Buren features numerous community events, parks, and the historic downtown area, making it a delightful place to live and visit.

Transportation

Van Buren is accessible via several major highways, including Interstate 40, which runs east-west and connects the city to other regions in Arkansas. The nearest airport is Fort Smith Regional Airport, located about 10 miles to the southwest, providing commercial flight options. Public transportation is limited, but the city’s compact size makes it easy to navigate by car or on foot.

History

Founded in the early 19th century, Van Buren quickly developed as a key trade and transportation hub due to its location along the Arkansas River. The city became known for its thriving cotton industry and continued to grow as a center for commerce throughout the years. Significant historical events include Van Buren's role as a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail route in the 1850s.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Van Buren is its historic downtown area, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing beautiful architecture from the 19th century. Additionally, the city is home to many annual events, such as the Old Town Wine & Food Festival, which highlights local wines and cuisine.

ZIP codes for Van Buren, AR (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
72956	Van Buren	Crawford	View map
72957	Van Buren	Crawford	View map

Demographics & statistics

34,805

Population

38.2

Median age

$57,625

Median household income

$30,013

Per capita income

$155,700

Median home value

$793

Median monthly rent

71.5%

Home ownership

16.5%

Poverty rate

6.5%

Unemployment

10,493

Housing units

21.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,071

Under 5

1,096

1,019

5–9

1,041

1,246

10–14

1,275

1,015

15–19

1,038

1,072

20–24

1,096

2,527

25–34

2,584

2,083

35–44

2,129

2,074

45–54

2,121

1,172

55–59

1,198

954

60–64

976

1,701

65–74

1,739

995

75–84

1,018

279

85+

286

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	8,098	23.3%
18 and over	26,707	76.7%
65 and over	6,018	17.3%
Median age	38.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 77.8%

Two or more races 8.4%

Hispanic or Latino 7%

Other race 3%

Asian 1.7%

Black or African American 1.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1%

Group	Count	%
White	29,108	77.8%
Two or more races	3,130	8.4%
Hispanic or Latino	2,607	7%
Other race	1,129	3%
Asian	618	1.7%
Black or African American	450	1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	370	1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.8%

$10k–$15k 5.0%

$15k–$25k 7.3%

$25k–$35k 10.5%

$35k–$50k 14.3%

$50k–$75k 21.9%

$75k–$100k 13.8%

$100k–$150k 13.5%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

$200k+ 3.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.8%
$10k–$15k	5.0%
$15k–$25k	7.3%
$25k–$35k	10.5%
$35k–$50k	14.3%
$50k–$75k	21.9%
$75k–$100k	13.8%
$100k–$150k	13.5%
$150k–$200k	4.1%
$200k+	3.8%
Median income	$57,625

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.4%

$50k–$100k 16.4%

$100k–$150k 21.9%

$150k–$200k 17.7%

$200k–$300k 20.4%

$300k–$500k 11.3%

$500k–$1M 2.6%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$155,700
Median rent / month	$793
Owner occupied	71.5%
Renter occupied	28.5%
Vacant	7.2%
Single-family detached	75.9%
Large apartment buildings	1.8%
Mobile homes	7.8%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.64

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	7.4%
2000–2009	15.0%
1990–1999	24.8%
1980–1989	16.6%
1970–1979	18.0%
1960–1969	7.5%
1950–1959	4.7%
1940–1949	3.3%
1939 or earlier	2.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.1%
1 bedroom	5.0%
2 bedrooms	22.8%
3 bedrooms	56.0%
4 bedrooms	13.4%
5+ bedrooms	1.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.5%
1 vehicle	33.2%
2 vehicles	35.0%
3 or more	26.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	48.8%
Electricity	47.1%
Propane / LP gas	1.0%
Wood	2.5%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,822	51.5%
Cohabiting couple	803	6.1%
Male householder, no spouse	2,005	15.1%
Female householder, no spouse	3,621	27.3%
Households with children under 18	4,429	33.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,025	30.4%
Average household size	2.58

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.0%	21.2%
Married	55.1%	50.0%
Separated	1.5%	2.2%
Widowed	3.0%	11.5%
Divorced	12.4%	15.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.4%

Some HS, no diploma 8.7%

HS graduate 34.4%

Some college, no degree 22.7%

Associate's degree 8.2%

Bachelor's degree 15.6%

Graduate / professional 6.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.9%
Bachelor's or higher	21.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	461	6.5%
Kindergarten	331	4.7%
Elementary school	3,627	51.3%
High school	1,530	21.6%
College / grad school	1,122	15.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.3%

Manufacturing 19.9%

Retail trade 10.1%

Professional & management 9.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%

Other services 7.4%

Construction 6.4%

Transportation & utilities 4.6%

Finance & real estate 4.2%

Wholesale trade 2.4%

Public administration 1.9%

Agriculture & mining 1.2%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.3%
Service	19.2%
Sales & office	17.6%
Natural resources & construction	10.6%
Production & transportation	22.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.3%
Government	10.5%
Self-employed	4.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	87.0%
Carpool	6.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.3%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.9

Poverty

All people 16.5%

Under 18 years 22.5%

18 and over 14.6%

Married-couple families 5.4%

Female-led households 31.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.4%
Retirement income	22.6%
Supplemental Security	6.9%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.7%
High cholesterol	37.3%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	26.6%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	9.2%
Cancer	6.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.9%
No physical activity	31.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.1%
Fair or poor health	20.5%
Poor mental health	17.5%
Poor physical health	13.7%
No health insurance	16.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.3%
Visited dentist	51.7%
Cholesterol screening	86.4%
Teeth loss	20.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,547	9.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.0%
Under 18	7.5%
18–64 years	17.3%
65 and over	41.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	54.5%
Public insurance	47.5%
Uninsured under 19	7.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	32,638	93.8%
Spanish	1,292	4.0%
Other Indo-European	1,017	3.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	17	0.1%
Other languages	258	0.8%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	32,643	93.8%
Born in same state	32,402	93.1%
Born in different state	21,358	61.4%
Foreign born	241	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	2,162	6.2%
Not a US citizen	1,128	52.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	5,695	16.4%
Italian	4,333	12.4%
French	3,499	10.1%
English	357	1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	157	0.5%
German	142	0.4%
Norwegian	8	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.1%
Internet access	92.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Van Buren, AR have?

Van Buren, AR has one ZIP code: 72956. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.