Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 35 min6:01 am – 8:36 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 45 min7:23 am – 5:07 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People1,147 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 62.1427 householdsMedian household income $59,282Median home value $177,100Median rent $700 a month95% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $724 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting1.4% unemployment rate33% of adults are in the labour force, 358 employedMain industries: manufacturing 39%, education and health care 27%, other services 15%Average commute 30 minutes87% drive alone, 12% car-poolSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages14% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher60% finished high school, 10% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 92°F, lows 67°FColdest month January: highs 49°F, lows 26°F53 in of rain a year, on about 72 dayswettest month May3 in of snow a year, on about 1 days65 days above 90°F, 87 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Mountainburg 2 Ne station, 8 mi away
Parks and public landsDevil's Den State Parkstate park · 6.0 mi · 1,530 acresLake Fort Smith State Parkstate park · 9.5 miOzark National Forestnational forest · 10.9 miOzark Plateau Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 12.6 mi · 2,098 acresOzark Recreation Arearecreation area · 18.2 mi · 17,698 acresJ.P. Hammerschmidt Recreation Arearecreation area · 19.4 mi · 4,491 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowCrawford County, AR, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsIce storm Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality83% of days had good air in 2025304 of 365 days measured61 moderate daysMedian index 40, worst day 74main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Washington County, AR, 20 mi away
Internet at home71% of households have a broadband subscription40% have cable, fibre or DSL10% rely on a mobile data plan alone28% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterVan Buren Waterworksserves 22,725 people from surface water purchasedNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system in the county
Elevation1,256 ft383 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalBaptist Health - Van Buren17.6 miPost officeChester Post Office6.2 miTown hallChester Town Hall6.1 miPoliceMountainburg Police Department7.4 miFire stationRural District 4 Cove City Fire Department3.5 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportFort Smith Regional Airport FSM25 miMajor airportTulsa International Airport TUL96 miInterstateI-495.0 miUS highwayUS 716.8 miCoachVan Buren/ Ft Smith Bus DepotGreyhound19 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 72934 ZIP area.