Town file
Austin, Arkansas
Austin, Arkansas (Lonoke County, Arkansas) is the town in one episode of Small Town Murder, the comedy true-crime podcast: episode 664, "The Deadly Grandma & The Doppelgänger" (10 January 2026). The episode is set in Austin, Arkansas, a town of 3,486 people about half an hour outside Little Rock.
- Town
- Austin
- County
- Lonoke County
- State
- Arkansas
- Country
- USA
- Episodes
- 664
- Approximate location
- 35.006, -91.990
Episode 664 / 10 January 2026 / 72 min / express
The Deadly Grandma & The Doppelgänger
"James says they are going to Arkansas this week, to Austin, Arkansas, in central Arkansas about half an hour outside Little Rock; he gives the county as 'Loneoak County or Lannock County'." about 0:03:14
The case: Murder of Floyd Gibson Jr. (January 1986); Murder of David Lesal (August 5, 1994). Read the case file.
The figures, as told in 2026
- Population
- 3,486
- Median household income
- $78,878
- Median home value
- $200,900
- Murder rate
- the highest in the country
History, in brief
- The city was settled in 1872, when the railroad built tracks about one mile southeast of old Austin. about 0:04:45
- Many residents of old Austin moved a mile to be near the railroad tracks, dragging their buildings with them. about 0:05:00
- The new settlement near the tracks was called Austin Station to distinguish it from the original Austin; it later became Austin, and the original became old Austin. about 0:05:12
The reviews read out
4 stars
"A quiet, family-friendly community with a small-town feel and a strong sense of neighbourly support; peaceful, low crime, solid schools and growing at a comfortable pace, but wants more grocery stores, restaurants and recreational facilities."about 0:05:44
4 stars
"Has a small-town feel but is very close to the larger metropolitan area of Little Rock, providing multiple opportunities."about 0:06:45
Nearest Small Town Murder towns
- Cabot, Arkansas3.1 miles
- Kensett, Arkansas24 miles
- Bryant, Arkansas39 miles
- Pleasant Grove, Arkansas56 miles
- Malvern, Arkansas64 miles
- Jonesboro, Arkansas93 miles
Everything here is as told in the episode, on the date it went out; figures and places may have changed since. Endings are covered: open an episode and use the spoiler switch to read them.