Five of the Fastest Growing Cities in Arkansas in 2016

The state of Arkansas is not one of the more glamorous places to live in the United States, but it is important to remember that it has its fair share of attractions as well. For example, some people like to live in smaller and less crowded places, meaning that they are better-suited to Arkansas than more bustling metropolitan areas in the rest of the country.

Likewise, some people might have a fondness for the great outdoors, in which case, Arkansas is not a bad choice because of the sheer range of geographical locations that can be found within its boundaries. Regardless of the exact reason, the state of Arkansas’s appeal for certain segments of the population can be seen in the rising number of people who choose to call it home, which provides better proof than mere words ever could.

HomeSnacks came up with this list of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas based on information collected and compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau:

5. Conway

Conway is part of the single most popular metropolitan area in the state of Arkansas, so it should come as no surprise to learn that it is a popular place to live. However, it is interesting in that even though it is considered to be a suburb of Little Rock, most of its residents do not have to commute out of the city in order to get to their workplaces but instead remain within the city itself.

This is because Conway is home to more than a few educational institutions and tech companies, with examples ranging from the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College to Acxiom, Hewlett Packard, and Insight Enterprises. As a result, Conway is something of a cultural and economic hub for the metropolitan area, which makes its impressive growth in recent times not so much of a surprise.

4. Springdale

Situated on the Springfield Plateau, the city of Springdale is a place of some importance in the state of Arkansas. In part, this is because it is one of the region’s industrial centers, as shown by the fact that it is still home to Tyson Foods, which can claim the distinction of being the single biggest meat producer not just in the United States but throughout the entire world.

However, it should also be noted that Springdale’s status as an industrial center has turned it into an economic hub as well, which can be seen in the multiple trucking companies that have chosen to base themselves there.

This economic power has combined with other factors to cause a population boom in Springdale in recent times, which in turn, has brought in businesses, schools, and even a sports team for the purpose of catering to these newfound residents’ needs and interests. Museums and other sites of cultural interest are included in this package, which is something that might appeal to those searching for something to spend their spare time on.

3. Bryant

The city of Bryant is one of the suburbs of Little Rock. As a result, its residents have convenient access to all of its amenities while still living at a remove from the hustle and bustle of urban living, thus attaining the best of both worlds. This is important because Little Rock is not just the single most populous city in the state of Arkansas but also an cultural, economic, and transportation center.

For proof, look no further than the fact that it is home to the Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas Repertory Theater, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Better still, Little Rock’s status as a transportation center means that the residents of Bryant have excellent access to outdoor recreational opportunities such as boating and hiking, which should appeal to those with a fondness for more energetic pursuits.

2. Bentonville

Bentonville is one of the cities that make up Northwest Arkansas, which is the common name for what is called the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area. As a result, if there is something that one of its residents want but can’t find within its boundaries, it should be a simple matter to find it in one of its neighboring cities, which is one of the biggest benefits to living in metropolitan areas such as this one.

Bentonville’s claim to fame lies in the fact that it is home to the head office of Walmart, meaning that the Walmart Visitor’s Center can be found therein as well. Unsurprisingly, this is something that has had an enormous impact on the city, with one example being the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which was founded by Alice Walton, who is the daughter of the Walmart founder.

1. Centerton

Centerton is one of the other cities that can be found in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area. Given its name, it should come as no surprise to learn that it is situated close to the center of the metropolitan area, which means that its residents have excellent access to the neighboring cities as well as the rest of the state of Arkansas by extension.

Otherwise, it is interesting in that it is not as densely populated as some of the other cities that can be found in the state of Arkansas, meaning that it could be an excellent choice for someone who wants peace and a measure of privacy without isolating themselves too much from the center of things.

Final Thoughts

Of course, other cities throughout the state of Arkansas saw an increase in their population throughout this period as well, which is rather understandable when each of them possesses its own sites of interest and other attractions. As a result, people who are interested in finding a place to live should give some serious thought to the cities of Arkansas, lest they miss out on something that they would have loved because of their own preconceptions.