It was recently ranked #2 for Field and Stream's Best Fishing Towns in America and today it is primarily known as a retirement and resort destination. Big Creek Golf Course has consistently earned 5 star ratings in Golf Digest magazine and ranked in the top 10 places to play. It has also been rated the number 1 public course in Arkansas for four years in a row.
According to the 2005 Census Bureau population report, the population of Mountain Home was 12,215 [5]. The population of the Mountain Home city ZIP codes area was estimated to be 29,360, as of 2006.
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,012 people, 5,175 households, and 3,151 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,035.7 people per square mile (400.0/km²). There were 5,612 housing units at an average density of 527.8/sq mi (203.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.69% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,175 households out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.59.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 18.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 36.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,869, and the median income for a family was $34,895. Males had a median income of $26,800 versus $19,702 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,789. About 7.5% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.