How many people in Arkansas are on Medicare?
Refreshed annually
About 687,100, or 22.1% of the state's population, in 2025. Administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare is one of the largest federal programs based on spending, providing health insurance coverage primarily to people 65 and older.
687K
enrolled in Medicare programs (2025)
22.1%
of the state's population insured by Medicare (2025)
Between 2015 and 2025, Medicare enrollment in Arkansas grew from 595,600 to 687,100, up 15.4% over the decade.
In 2025, 687,100 Arkansas residents were enrolled across all Medicare programs.
Unique enrollment across all parts of Medicare
While people under 65 may qualify with a disability, end-stage renal disease, or ALS, Medicare primarily serves an older population. In 2025, 577,200 Arkansas residents aged 65 or older were enrolled in at least one part of Medicare — 84% of all Medicare beneficiaries in the state.
For comparison, the total 65-and-older population in Arkansas in 2025 was 592,000. That means 97.5% of Arkansas residents in that age group are enrolled in Medicare.
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In 2025, 577,200 people aged 65 and older in Arkansas were enrolled in Medicare.
Unique enrollment across all parts of Medicare, by age group
A state’s share of Medicare coverage largely reflects its age distribution. In 2025, Medicare covered 22.1% of Arkansas residents, where 19% of the population is aged 65 or older. Arkansas ranks 16th of 50 states in Medicare coverage.
The share of Arkansas residents covered by Medicare has risen from 20.1% in 2015.
In 2025, 22.1% of Arkansas residents were covered by Medicare.
Share of population covered by Medicare and share of population 65 or older
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
