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Fayetteville, AR makes the Top Lists
US News and World Report ranked the University of Arkansas' Sam M Walton College of Business and the School of Law in the top tier of its 2011 edition of America's Best Graduate School.
No. 7: Top College Sports Towns, 2010 Forbes
No. 4: Best Places for Business and Careers, 2009 Forbes
No. 9: Healthiest Housing Markets, 2009, Builder magazine
No. 6: Top College Sports Towns, 2009 Forbes
No. 7: Best Places to Live, Work and Play, 2008, Kiplinger
Census Bureau Population Estimates
The US Census Bureau recently released population estimates for each of the nation's incorporated places.
- Fayetteville and Springdale made some of the biggest gains in the state.
Fayetteville (77,142) is No. 3 and Springdale (68,487) at No. 4 of the
largest cities in Arkansas. Rogers, came in at No. 8 with 59,014.
- Fayetteville's population of 77,142 showed a gain of 33% from the 58,047
figure in the 2000 Census.
- The new estimates put the state of Arkansas' population at 2,889,450.
Source: Arkansas Business, Vol 27, No. 27
NEWS
October Unemployment Rates (Dec. 2010)
Unemployment rate in October in Northwest Arkansas fell to 5.9 percent, the lowest level this year. The region fared better than the 7.8 percent statewide and 9 percent nationally. The metro area's labor workforce grew to 223,900, up 400 jobs from September, but was some 3,650 fewer jobs than a year ago. Other cities in the state recorded higher unemployment rates. For example, Little Rock had 6.5 percent, Jonesboro 6.7 percent, Hot Springs 7.3, Fort Smith 7.8 percent, and Pine Bluff 8.9 percent.
October Sees Economy Add 151,000 Jobs (Nov. 2010)
The US economy added 151,000 jobs in October after four months of job losses. Private job growth had been overwhelmed by the elimination of temporary census jobs and layoffs by state and local government during the summer until October. Nearly 15 million people are out of work and actively looking and the unemployment rate which remained steady at 9.6 percent has been relatively flat since May. Economiss think it will be years before the jobless rate moves closer to a more normal of 6 percent.
Hotel-Sector Fundamentals Rebound Nationally
The national hotel market is improving for the first time since entering a steep and
steady nosedive in 2008. Occupancy level gains have offset still-weak room rates
to help drive the sector's revenue per available room metric up during the first half,
according to data from Smith Travel Research, a Hendersonville, TN, research
firm. Read Full Story
Source: Loopnet.com
Retail Sales Up at Department Stores in June
Department stores are attracting shoppers again but not enough to indicate a good
recovery for retailers. Department stores, particularly Nordstrom and Macy's,
posted better-than-expected sales in June. Read Full Story
Source: New York Times
Latest Statistics
Largest Commercial Projects Currently Under Construction in Fayetteville, December 2011
| Project |
Valuation |
Contractor/Construction Manager |
| VA Hospital |
$62,539,000 |
Crossland Construction Co. |
| High School Phase II |
$45,000,000 |
Nabholz Construction |
| Vol Walker Hall, UofA |
$29,700,000 |
Baldwin & Schell Construction Co. |
| Ozark Hall Renovation |
$27,000,000 |
VCC |
| Hillside Auditorium, UofA |
$12,000,000 |
James H. Cone, Inc. |
| Hotz Hall Renovation, UofA |
$10,000,000 |
Kinco Construction |
| Nursing Building, UofA |
$8,600,000 |
Clark Contractors |
| Jean Tyson Child Development |
$6,555,000 |
Milestone Construction |
| TOTAL: |
$201,394,000 |
|
Preliminary Analysis of 2010 Census Data for Northwest Arkansas (February, 2011)
Impact of Northwest Arkansas' Growth on Overall Statewide Growth:
- Arkansas' population grew by 242,518 since 2000; Arkansas' population growth rate of +9.1% was just slightly lower than that US growth rate during the decade (+9.7%).
- 47% of the state's population growth (+113,283) occurred in Washington and Benton Counties. Fayetteville, Arkansas, is located in Washington County.
- 55% (132,657) of the state's total growth occurred in Washington, Benton, Crawford and Sebastian Counties.
Growth of Counties in Northwest Arkansas:
- Washington and Benton Counties total population is 424,404, an increase of 113,283 (36.4%) since 2000.
- We had an average of 944 new residents moved to the two county area every month over the past ten years.
- Washington County was the 2nd fastest growing county in total population (+45,350) and 4th fastest growing in percentage terms (+28.8%) since 2000.
- Benton County was the fastest growing county in Arkansas in both population (+67,933) and percentage (+44.3%) since 2000.
- Because Washington and Benton Counties are now officially over 200,000 in population, the Quorum Courts will each add two additional JP's for a total of 15 per county.
- Since 1990, the two-county population has more than doubled; Washington and Benton Counties grew by 213,496 (101.2%) over the past two decades.
Growth of Cities in Northwest Arkansas
- Northwest Arkansas is now home to four of the ten largest cities in Arkansas:
Fayetteville 73,580 (3rd), Springdale 69,797 (4th), Rogers 55,964 (8th), and Bentonville 35,301 (10th).
- Bentonville (+78.9%), Bella Vista (+59.5%), and Springdale (+51.4%) all grew by more than 50% in the decade.
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area:
- Because the Census Bureau is releasing data by state, we are unable to calculate the growth the MSA level until Missouri's data comes out.
Northwest Arkansas is Rapidly Diversifying:
- The Hispanic and Latino population in the state of Arkansas grew by 114.2% since 2000.
- Northwest Arkansas is home to 65,734 residents who are of Hispanic or Latino descent; Hispanic or Latino residents now comprise 15.5% of Washington and Bention Counties' total population.
- More than one third (35.3%) of all Hispanic or Latino residents in Arkansas live in Washington and Benton Counties.
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population grew by 150.8% in Arkansas since 2000 census.
- 81.9% of all "Other Pacific Islanders" in Arkansas reside in Benton and Washington Counties; this is probably due to the large number of Marshallese living in the region.
Source: NWA Council
Sales Tax Revenues (May 2011 compared to same month, May 2010)
| City |
May, 2011 |
May, 2010 |
+/- % |
| Fayetteville |
$1,405,632 |
$1,344,674 |
+4.5 |
| Bentonville |
$ 773,191 |
$ 665,629 |
+16.2 |
| Rogers |
$1,046,670 |
$1,018,579 |
+2.8 |
| Springdale |
$ 847,109 |
$ 852,501 |
-0.6 |
Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
April 2011 Unemployment Rates
| Unemployment Rate |
April 2011 |
| National |
9.0% |
| Arkansas |
7.7% |
| Fayetteville MSA |
5.8% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Manufacturing Hourly Wages (Most recent wage data: May 2009)
|
Northwest Arkansas |
United States |
|
Median |
Mean |
Median |
Mean |
| All workers |
$13.82 |
$17.69 |
$15.95 |
$20.90 |
| All production occupations |
$11.63 |
$12.80 |
$14.41 |
$16.01 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers |
$14.01 |
$15.28 |
$16.71 |
$17.61 |
| Computer-controlled machine tool operators |
$15.15 |
$16.02 |
$16.57 |
$17.10 |
| Machinists |
$15.92 |
$16.07 |
$18.10 |
$18.72 |
| Tool and Die Makers |
$17.54 |
$17.75 |
$22.55 |
$23.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Northwest Arkansas Housing: Number of Housing Units in elected Cities in Washington and Benton Counties
| Fayetteville |
36,188 |
| Springdale |
25,614 |
| Bella Vista |
13,241 |
| Bentonville |
14,693 |
| Rogers |
22,022 |
Source: US Census Bureau
Median Sales Price Per-Square-Foot on Homes in Northwest Arkansas (March 2011)
| City |
2010 |
2006 |
+/- % |
| Bella Vista |
$72 |
$91 |
-21% |
| Bentonville |
$82 |
$97 |
-15.5% |
| Centerton |
$67 |
$90 |
-26% |
| Farmington |
$68 |
$92 |
-26% |
| Fayetteville |
$85 |
$105 |
-7.6% |
| Lowell |
$72 |
$97 |
-26% |
| Rogers |
$72 |
$92 |
-22% |
| Siloam Springs |
$67 |
$88 |
-24% |
| Springdale |
$71 |
$95 |
-25% |
Source: MountData
Home Sales in Washington and Benton Counties, AR (January through March) (April 2011)
| Year |
Value of Homes Sold |
Units Sold |
Median Sale Price |
| 2011 |
$158.83 million |
1,048 |
$117,750 |
| 2010 |
$146.52 million |
993 |
$123,500 |
| 2009 |
$154.57 million |
966 |
$132,000 |
Source: MountData
Home Sales and Price Comparison for Washington and Benton Counties, AR (January through December)
(Jan 2011)
| Year |
Value of Homes Sold |
Units Sold |
Median Sale Price |
| 2010 |
$855.7 million |
5,323 |
$129,000 |
| 2009 |
$937.7 million |
5,784 |
$133,430 |
| 2008 |
$947.6 million |
5,257 |
$148,575 |
Source: Mount Data
2010 Real Estate Market Activity in Major Cities in Northwest Arkansas (Jan 2011)
| City |
Number of Sales |
Value of Sales in Millions |
Median Sale Price |
| Fayetteville |
922 |
$180.8 |
$160,000 |
|
Rogers |
976 |
$174.2 |
$129,250 |
|
Bentonville |
683 |
$148.2 |
$180,000 |
|
Springdale |
921 |
$123.4 |
$105,000 |
|
Bella Vista |
635 |
$87.8 |
$123,810 |
|
Siloam Springs |
220 |
$25.6 |
$108,000 |
Source: Mount Data
Annual Foreclosure Filings (Jan 2011)
| County |
2010 |
2009 |
% Change |
| Washington |
3,059 |
2,898 |
5.55 |
|
Benton |
3,925 |
3,945 |
-0.50 |
|
Arkansas State |
19,575 |
16,547 |
18.29 |
Source: Realty Trac
Housing Statistics, from Jan 2005 - Dec 2009 (Dec. 2010)
|
State |
Counties |
|
Arkansas |
Washington |
Benton |
Pulaski |
|
Percent of housing units built
in 2005 or later |
3.3% |
5.9% |
8.4% |
3.3% |
Median housing value of
owner-occupied homes |
$97,200 |
$152,100 |
$153,200 |
$127,000 |
| Median household income |
$38,542 |
$43,317 |
$50,377 |
$44,370 |
Median monthly housing costs
for owner-occupied homes |
$953 |
$1,168 |
$1,163 |
$1,155 |
Median monthly housing costs
for renter-occupied homes |
$600 |
$654 |
$710 |
$710 |
Source: US Census Bureau
Building Permit Values (1st Qtr 2011 compared to same quarter in 2010)
| New Residential |
Yr 2011 |
Yr 2010 |
Percent Change |
| Fayetteville, AR |
$12.34 M |
$10.21 M |
+21 |
| Bentonville |
$20.57 M |
$16.38 M |
+25 |
| Rogers |
$9.19 M |
$10.57 M |
-13 |
| Springdale |
$9.05 M |
$6.99 M |
+29 |
| New Commercial |
Yr 2011 |
Yr 2010 |
Percent Change |
| Fayetteville, AR |
$8.9 M |
$3.69 M |
+141 |
| Bentonville |
$861,600 |
$2.76 M |
-69 |
| Rogers |
$5.16 M |
$2.66 M |
+94 |
| Springdale |
$1.8 M |
$1.77 M |
+1.7 |
Building Permit Values (3rd Qtr 2010 compared to same quarter in 2009)
| New Residential |
Yr 2010 |
Yr 2009 |
Percent Change |
| Fayetteville, AR |
$15.01M |
$16.95M |
-11.4 |
| Bentonville |
$14.95M |
$17.32M |
-13.6 |
| Rogers |
$8.5M |
$11.72M |
-27.4 |
| Springdale |
$5.99M |
$7.55M |
-20.6 |
| New Commercial |
Yr 2010 |
Yr 2009 |
Percent Change |
| Fayetteville, AR |
$24.18M |
$2.02M |
1097 |
| Bentonville |
$4.69M |
$0 |
100 |
| Rogers |
$2.68M |
$1.66M |
61.4 |
| Springdale |
$2.27M |
$1.14M |
99 |
Demographics
Fayetteville is located in the heart of Mid-America. Fayetteville is 35 miles from the Arkansas-Missouri border and 25 miles from the Arkansas-Oklahoma border. The city is part of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), which is comprised of Washington, Benton, Madison, and McDonald counties. This MSA is one of 4 located in Arkansas and 323 in the United States.
Population
|
Total Population |
Fayetteville |
+/(-) % Change |
Washington County |
+/(-) % Change |
Arkansas |
+/(-) % Change |
|
July 1, 2008 |
73,372 |
1.3 |
195,803 |
1.0 |
2,855,390 |
0.9 |
|
July 1, 2007 |
72,404 |
1.9 |
193,812 |
2.1 |
2,830,557 |
0.9 |
|
July 1, 2006 |
71,052 |
3.0 |
189,820 |
3.4 |
2,804,199 |
1.3 |
|
July 1, 2005 |
68,958 |
3.7 |
183,644 |
3.9 |
2,768,918 |
1.0 |
|
July 1, 2004 |
66,475 |
3.7 |
176,733 |
3.2 |
2,740,191 |
0.8 |
|
July 1, 2003 |
64,078 |
3.4 |
171,292 |
2.7 |
2,717,909 |
0.6 |
|
July 1, 2002 |
61,952 |
2.3 |
166,827 |
2.3 |
2,701,889 |
0.5 |
|
July 1, 2001 |
60,549 |
1.9 |
163,154 |
2.7 |
2,689,601 |
0.4 |
|
July 1, 2000 |
59,394 |
|
158,788 |
|
2,678,217 |
|
|
April 1, 2000 (Census 2000) |
58,047 |
|
157,715 |
|
2,673,400 |
|
Source: US Census Bureau- Population Estimates Program
ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates: 2006-2008
|
ACS Demographic & Housing Estimates |
Fayetteville |
Percent |
Washington County |
Percent |
AR-Mo MSA |
Percent |
|
Total Population |
70,401 |
100% |
194,292 |
100 |
433,688 |
100 |
|
Male |
35,876 |
51.0% |
97,722 |
50.3% |
216,880 |
50.0% |
|
Female |
34,525 |
49.0% |
96570 |
49.7% |
216,808 |
50.0% |
|
Median Age |
27.9 |
|
31.4 |
|
33.1 |
|
|
18 years and over |
55,169 |
78.4% |
141,930 |
73.5% |
316,123 |
72.9% |
|
62 years and over |
6,421 |
9.1% |
22,077 |
11.4% |
57,361 |
13.2% |
|
Total Housing Units |
33,000 |
|
81,803 |
|
182,534 |
|
Source: US Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey
ACS Demographics on Race: 2006-2008
|
Race |
Fayetteville |
Percent |
Washington County |
Percent |
AR-MO MSA |
Percent |
|
White |
58,532 |
83.1% |
160,177 |
82.9% |
365,635 |
84.3% |
|
Black or African American |
5,122 |
7.3% |
6,144 |
3.2% |
8,794 |
2.0% |
|
American Indian & Alaska Native |
497 |
0.7% |
2,511 |
1.3% |
6,001 |
1.4% |
|
Asian |
2,260 |
3.2% |
4,332 |
2.2% |
8,786 |
2.0% |
|
Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander |
132 |
0.2% |
1,465 |
0.8% |
1,675 |
0.4% |
|
Other Race/races |
3,858 |
5.5% |
18,516 |
9.5% |
42,797 |
9.8% |
|
Total |
70,401 |
100.0% |
193,145 |
100.0% |
433,688 |
100.0% |
|
Hispanic/Latino (of any race) |
3,434 |
4.9% |
25,274 |
13.1% |
57,346 |
13.2% |
Source: US Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey
Labor and Income Levels : 2006-2008 
|
Labor & Income |
Fayetteville |
Percent |
Washington County |
Percent |
|
Population 16 years and over |
56,589 |
100.0% |
146,600 |
100.0% |
|
In Labor Force |
38,250 |
67.6% |
99,607 |
67.9% |
|
Not in Labor Force |
18,339 |
32.4% |
46,993 |
32.1% |
|
Mean Travel Time to Work (mins) |
18.0 |
|
20.5 |
|
|
Median Household income ($) |
40,255 |
|
43,512 |
|
|
Median nonfamily income ($) |
26,747 |
|
26,472 |
|
|
Median Earnings for Workers ($) |