TIFS Investigates: :Fort Smith tops major Arkansas cities in registered sex offender per-capita rate

Fort Smith, AR – March 11, 2025 – A recent analysis of registered sex offender data reveals that Fort Smith has a higher per capita rate of registered sex offenders compared to other major cities in the state, raising questions about local enforcement, community safety, and data transparency.

With a population of 89,635 and 257 registered sex offenders, Fort Smith’s rate stands at approximately 0.287%, outpacing cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Jonesboro.

According to data compiled from city-data.com and cross-checked with state resources, Fort Smith’s percentage of registered sex offenders per resident is notably higher than its urban counterparts.

Little Rock, the state capital with a population of 204,244, reports 524 registered sex offenders, translating to a rate of 0.256%. Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas and a population of around 100,000, has 91 offenders, or 0.091%. Springdale, with 89,072 residents, counts 68 offenders at 0.076%, while Jonesboro, with 81,246 people, has 83 offenders, equating to 0.102%.

Fort Smith’s rate of 0.287%—--or roughly 2.87 registered sex offenders per 1,000 residents—marks it as the highest among these key cities.

“We’re seeing Fort Smith stand out in this comparison,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a criminologist at the University of Arkansas. “It could point to stricter registration enforcement or a higher concentration of offenders relocating to the area. But it’s also a reminder that numbers alone don’t tell the whole story--community response and prevention efforts matter just as much.”

Statewide, Arkansas carries a heavier burden, with a total of 19,636 registered sex offenders across a population of 3,011,524, resulting in a rate of 0.652%—one of the highest in the nation, ranking third per capita according to a 2024 report by 5NEWS. Fort Smith’s rate, while below the state average, exceeds that of its urban peers, prompting local officials to consider the implications.

Adding complexity to the picture is the issue of non-compliant offenders==those required to register but who fail to do so or violate terms, such as not updating their addresses.

Comparatively, Springdale’s low rate of 0.076% stands out as the lowest among the major cities analyzed, potentially reflecting different demographic or enforcement dynamics in Northwest Arkansas. Fayetteville’s 0.091% aligns with its reputation as a college town with a transient population, while Jonesboro’s 0.102% and Little Rock’s 0.256% suggest a more typical urban distribution.

The data paints a varied picture across Arkansas’s urban landscape, with Fort Smith emerging as an unexpected leader in per capita registered sex offenders.

While the city’s rate remains below the state’s elevated average, its position above other major cities underscores the need for continued vigilance and transparency.