2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Walnut Ridge had a population of 5,384. There were 2,035 households and 1,230 families in the city. The median age was 38.7 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.6 males age 18 and over.[15][16]
78.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 21.3% lived in rural areas.[17]
Of the 2,035 households in Walnut Ridge, 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.0% were married-couple households, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 2,284 housing units, of which 10.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.[15]
2000 census
As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 4,925 permanent residents, 2,065 homeholds, and 1,305 families living in the town. The population density was 425.5 inhabitants per square mile (164.3/km2). There were 2,283 housing units at an average density of 197.3 per square mile (76.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 1.75% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,065 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age >18, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,953, and the median income for a family was $36,735. Males had a median income of $27,458 versus $20,169 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,974. About 10.0% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the international poverty limit, including 15.9% of those under 18 and 18.6% of those 65 or older.
