Watson ZIP Code List — Desha County, AR

There is one unique ZIP code in Watson, Arkansas and it is 71674. Area code: 870.

ZIP codes

218.09

sq mi land

43.25

sq mi water

870

area code

Watson, AR ZIP code map

About Watson, AR

Watson, Arkansas, is a small city located in Desha County known for its serene rural environment. The city operates under the ZIP code 71674 and features a tight-knit community. With its beautiful landscapes and rich local culture, Watson embodies the charm of the Arkansas countryside.

Location & geography

Watson is situated in the southeastern part of Arkansas, nestled in Desha County. It is approximately 10 miles southwest of Dumas, 16 miles northeast of McGehee, and about 20 miles west of Greenville, Mississippi. Covering a total area of 261.34 square miles, Watson includes both land, measuring 218.09 square miles, and water, which accounts for 43.25 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Watson is shaped by its agricultural roots, with many residents involved in farming and related industries. Daily life in Watson offers a mix of community gatherings and local events that foster a friendly atmosphere. The city's small size contributes to an intimate social fabric where everyone knows their neighbors.

Transportation

Watson is accessible via several highways, with U.S. Route 65 running nearby, connecting it to larger urban areas. The nearest major airports include the McGehee-Desha County Airport, which serves general aviation needs, and the more distant Little Rock Airport located approximately 100 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, so personal vehicles are the primary mode of transport.

History

Watson was founded as an agricultural community, and its fertile lands have supported farming for generations. Key industries in the area traditionally revolved around crops and livestock, reflecting the agricultural backbone of the region. Over the years, Watson has maintained its rural charm while adapting to modern changes in industry and community needs.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Watson is its proximity to the Arkansas River, which offers outdoor recreational opportunities. Additionally, the city has a history of producing prominent figures in local agriculture and politics.

ZIP codes for Watson, AR (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
71674	Watson	Desha	View map

Demographics & statistics

570

Population

56.1

Median age

$38,500

Median household income

$26,521

Per capita income

$66,300

Median home value

$760

Median monthly rent

86.1%

Home ownership

14.2%

Poverty rate

2.2%

Unemployment

316

Housing units

14.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

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	92	16.1%
18 and over	478	83.9%
65 and over	196	34.4%
Median age	56.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.7%

Black or African American 5.3%

Group	Count	%
White	540	94.7%
Black or African American	30	5.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.7%

$10k–$15k 6.5%

$15k–$25k 16.5%

$25k–$35k 20.9%

$35k–$50k 20.0%

$50k–$75k 13.5%

$75k–$100k 7.4%

$100k–$150k 6.5%

$150k–$200k 7.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.7%
$10k–$15k	6.5%
$15k–$25k	16.5%
$25k–$35k	20.9%
$35k–$50k	20.0%
$50k–$75k	13.5%
$75k–$100k	7.4%
$100k–$150k	6.5%
$150k–$200k	7.0%
Median income	$38,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 45.5%

$50k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 6.1%

$150k–$200k 17.2%

$200k–$300k 5.6%

$300k–$500k 12.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$66,300
Median rent / month	$760
Owner occupied	86.1%
Renter occupied	13.9%
Vacant	33.9%
Single-family detached	76.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	22.4%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.52

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.6%
2000–2009	10.3%
1990–1999	6.9%
1980–1989	19.5%
1970–1979	22.7%
1960–1969	14.1%
1950–1959	6.3%
1940–1949	12.6%
1939 or earlier	4.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	7.8%
2 bedrooms	27.6%
3 bedrooms	48.9%
4 bedrooms	15.8%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.9%
1 vehicle	35.7%
2 vehicles	43.5%
3 or more	20.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.4%
Electricity	80.9%
Propane / LP gas	17.8%
Wood	0.4%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	129	56.1%
Cohabiting couple	7	3.0%
Male householder, no spouse	46	20.0%
Female householder, no spouse	48	20.9%
Households with children under 18	34	14.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	130	56.5%
Average household size	2.48

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	12.0%	6.7%
Married	62.2%	63.9%
Separated	0.0%	0.8%
Widowed	12.0%	19.8%
Divorced	13.7%	8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.8%

Some HS, no diploma 9.7%

HS graduate 41.9%

Some college, no degree 25.7%

Associate's degree 0.6%

Bachelor's degree 7.6%

Graduate / professional 6.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	82.5%
Bachelor's or higher	14.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	4	4.5%
Kindergarten	2	2.3%
Elementary school	69	78.4%
High school	7	8.0%
College / grad school	6	6.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 20.1%

Education & healthcare 18.8%

Manufacturing 11.2%

Other services 9.4%

Professional & management 8.5%

Construction 7.1%

Public administration 7.1%

Finance & real estate 4.9%

Agriculture & mining 4.0%

Wholesale trade 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 2.7%

Information 2.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.2%
Service	17.9%
Sales & office	33.5%
Natural resources & construction	8.5%
Production & transportation	12.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.7%
Government	11.2%
Self-employed	5.8%
Unpaid family workers	1.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.5%
Carpool	5.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.7

Poverty

All people 14.2%

Under 18 years 25.0%

18 and over 12.1%

Married-couple families 7.8%

Female-led households 35.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	70.9%
Retirement income	27.4%
Supplemental Security	8.3%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	48.3%
High cholesterol	41.4%
Heart disease	10.9%
Stroke	5.8%
Asthma	11.2%
Arthritis	34.0%
Kidney disease	4.6%
Pulmonary disease	13.6%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.2%
No physical activity	39.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.2%
Fair or poor health	30.1%
Poor mental health	17.8%
Poor physical health	18.5%
No health insurance	18.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.0%
Visited dentist	45.2%
Cholesterol screening	88.1%
Teeth loss	27.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	33	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.4%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	5.0%
65 and over	26.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.0%
Public insurance	52.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	560	98.2%
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)	570	100.0%
Born in same state	570	100.0%
Born in different state	459	80.5%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	145	25.4%
French	83	14.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	21	3.7%
English	18	3.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.4%
Internet access	73.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Watson, AR?

Watson, AR has one ZIP code: 71674.

What is the main ZIP code for Watson, AR?

The primary ZIP code for Watson, AR is 71674. The city uses area code 870 for phone service.

What county is Watson, AR in?

Watson is located in Desha County, Arkansas.

How many ZIP codes are in Watson, AR?

Watson, AR has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for the downtown Watson area in Desha County?

The downtown Watson area is located in ZIP code 71674, which serves as the primary postal code for the city.

If I'm mailing something to a business in Watson, AR, what ZIP code should I use?

All mail addressed to Watson, Arkansas should use the ZIP code 71674, as this is the only ZIP code serving the city.