Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Area
Encyclopedia
The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area (often referred to as Northwest Arkansas) as defined by the United States Census Bureau
is a four-county area including three Arkansas
counties and one Missouri
county. The MSA is anchored by the Arkansas cities of Fayetteville
, Springdale
, Rogers
, and Bentonville
— the state's third, fourth, eighth, and 11th largest cities, respectively. The total MSA population in 2000 was 347,045 people. The US Census estimated the population of the MSA to be 464,623 in 2009. From 1990-2000 the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA was the sixth fastest growing area in the nation.http://www.censusscope.org/us/metro_rank_popl_growth.html The metropolitan area is the home of Wal-Mart
and Tyson Foods
— global leaders in retail and meat and poultry processing, respectively. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., North America's second largest publicly owned transportation and logistics company, is also based in the area. Over 1,300 Wal-Mart vendors have added corporate branches or offices in the area as well, including: Coca-Cola
, Procter and Gamble, Unilever
, Motorola
, Nestlé
, Dell
, General Mills
, Kellogg Company
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=97406.46608.109548, and PepsiCo
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.asp?aid=112384.
Arkansas
Missouri
is a city in Washington County, Arkansas
, USA and home to the University of Arkansas
. As of the 2010 census
, the city had a total population of 73,580. The city is the third most populous in Arkansas and serves as the county seat of Washington County
. It's also known for Dickson Street
, perhaps the most prominent entertainment district in the state of Arkansas, which itself contains the Walton Arts Center
. Blocks from Dickson Street is the Fayetteville Historic Square
, which hosts the nation's fifth-ranked Fayetteville's Farmer's Market. Fayetteville was also ranked 8th on Forbes Magazine's Top 10 Best Places in America for Business and Careers in 2007.
is a city in Arkansas' Washington
, and Benton
Counties. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 66,881. Springdale is currently Arkansas's fourth-largest city, behind Little Rock
, Fort Smith
, and Fayetteville
. Springdale is the location of the headquarters of Tyson Foods
Inc., the largest meat producing company in the world, and has been dubbed the "Chicken Capital of the World" by several publications. In 2008, the Wichita Wranglers
of AA minor league baseball's
Texas League
moved to Springdale and play in Arvest Ballpark as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
.
is a suburban city in Benton County, Arkansas
, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city is the ninth most populous in the state, with a total population of 38,829. However, according to a 2007 special census Rogers has a population of 54,959. Rogers is famous as the location of the first Wal-Mart
. In June 2007, BusinessWeek Magazine ranked Rogers as 18th in the 25 best affordable suburbs in the South. In 2010, CNN money magazine ranked Rogers as 10th Best Place to Live in US. It is the home town of American country music singer/songwriter Joe Nichols, and Marty Perry, as well as David Noland, also where comedian Will Rogers
married Betty Blake.
is a city in Benton County, Arkansas
, United States. The population was 19,730 at the 2000 census, however, the 2007 US Census estimates that the population of the city was 33,744, ranking it as the state's 11th largest city. Bentonville is the county seat of Benton County
. It is home to the headquarters of Wal-Mart
Stores, the largest retailer in the world. Bentonville is also the future home of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Funded by Sam Walton's daughter, Alice Walton
and designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie
, the highly anticipated museum will be home to some of America's finest works of art.
of 2000, there were 347,045 people, 131,939 households, and 92,888 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 89.70% White, 1.22% African American, 1.53% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 4.03% from other races
, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.32% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $32,469, and the median income for a family was $38,118. Males had a median income of $27,025 versus $20,295 for females. The per capita income
for the MSA was $16,159.
Bentonville is world renowned as a retail capital of the world, as it is headquarters to Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated. Springdale is home to Fortune 75 company Tyson Foods
, the world’s leading producer of poultry and beef, and second-largest producer of pork. J.B. Hunt Transport Services in Lowell
, is the nation’s largest publicly owned truckload carrier, with international networks in Canada
and Mexico
.http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=97406.46608.109548
, located outside of Fayetteville
in West Fork, Arkansas
. The park offers scenic camping
, climbing
, fishing
, caves, trails, and hiking
through the Ozark Mountains. The park is located just off Highway 74.
The favorite water destination would be Beaver Lake
. Beaver Lake has some 487 miles (783.7 km) of natural shoreline. With towering limestone bluffs, natural caves, and a wide variety of trees and flowering shrubs, it is a popular tourist destination. Paved access roads wind through twelve developed parks. These parks have modern campsites offering electricity and fire rings with drinking water, showers, and restrooms nearby. Other facilities, such as picnic sites, swimming beaches, hiking trails, boat launching ramps, and sanitary dump stations are also available in the parks.
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
, which covers 86 acres (348,030 m²), is a new botanical garden
now taking shape near Fayetteville. The site is located at the Fayetteville-Springdale border on Crossover Road (Highway 265) and currently includes seasonal plantings in a small area, a wildflower meadow, a lakeside hiking
trail, and a self-guided tree identification tour. The garden's history dates to 1993 with a 2001 master plan. Construction will be undertaken in three phases. Phase 1 will build the garden gateway and entry road, parking area, visitor center, cafe and dining terrace, exhibit gallery, conference room, and 1/3 of the core gardens with 1/2 of the horticulture
and maintenance facilities. Phase 2 will create additional gardens, offices, classrooms, boat rental facility, amphitheater, observatory, demonstration gardens, and the remaining core gardens. Phase 3 will add trails, tropical conservatory, and lakeside overlooks, with the western 50 acres (202,343 m²) dedicated to native woodland plant restoration and wayside interpretive stations.
Northwest Arkansas is also quickly becoming more and more of an urban
recreation destination as well, many projects currently underway.
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville
is currently under construction. http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/205722/ When completed, the highly anticipated museum, funded by Sam Walton's daughter, Alice Walton
, and designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie
, will be home to some of America's finest works of art and will immediately become one of the nation's premier art museums.
The Walton Arts Center
is Arkansas' largest performing arts center. It is located in Fayetteville near the campus of the University of Arkansas
and serves as a cultural center for the Northwest Arkansas area. The building was opened in 1992 in large part because of funds donated by the Walton family (of Wal-Mart
). The center is host to many musicals, plays, and other artistic and educational events throughout the year.
TheatreSquared
is Northwest Arkansas's regional professional theatre. Its four-play subscription season and annual Arkansas New Play Fest are attended by an audience of 10,000, and the theatre's educational outreach program involves approximately 4,000 students and their teachers each year.
The Arts Center of the Ozarks is the region's oldest community arts institution. Since its inception in 1967, the ACO has grown from a small arts organization into a cultural center of regional significance. Located in downtown Springdale, the ACO offers a full season of mainstage plays and musicals, children's programs, visual arts exhibits, and classes in a variety of creative outlets.
Visitors to the area might also stop by the Wal-Mart Visitor Center. Located in Sam Walton's original Bentonville variety store, the Wal-Mart Visitors Center traces the origin and growth of Wal-Mart. The center was created as an educational and informative facility for those interested in this American retailing success story.
Anyone looking for a night on the town should head to the famous Dickson Street
in downtown Fayetteville, just off the University of Arkansas
campus. Lined with popular bars, restaurants, and shops, Dickson Street is always lively, especially after large sporting events. Dickson Street is home to the Walton Arts Center
, the Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Festival, and many parades.
The sporting scene is large in Northwest Arkansas, primarily due to the presence of the University of Arkansas
Razorbacks
, Arkansas’ most successful, followed, and loved sports teams. The Razorbacks have a huge economic impact on the area, drawing fans from every corner of the state during football, basketball, and baseball seasons.
The Razorbacks currently field 19 total men's and women's varsity teams (8 men's and 11 women's) in 13 sports. The men's varsity teams are baseball
, basketball
, cross country
, football
, golf
, tennis
, and indoor and outdoor track and field
; the 11 women's varsity teams are basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics
, soccer, swimming
and diving
, indoor and outdoor track, tennis, softball
and volleyball
. The Razorbacks compete in the NCAA's Division I (Division I FBS in football) and are currently members of the Southeastern Conference
(Western Division).
The University of Arkansas also boasts some of the finest, and most widely recognized collegiate sporting facilities in the nation. State of the art facilities include: Reynolds Razorback Stadium
, Bud Walton Arena
, Baum Stadium
, Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center
, and the John McDonnell
Outdoor Track.
In early 2008, Northwest Arkansas welcomed a Double-A minor league baseball
team, formerly known as the Wichita Wranglers
, to Springdale
, where they became the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
. The Naturals play at the newly completed Arvest Ballpark.
in the United States. The relatively new festival, which is based around the famous Dickson Street
and held each fall, drew 350,000 visitors in 2006 and 75,000-100,000 bikes. The festival includes live bands, a parade, bike show, bike giveaway, and barbecue contest, among other events.http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/
Since 1974, the Dogwood Festival
has brought around 30,000 people to Siloam Springs and its parks for a 3-day event. Food, crafts, entertainment, flea market items, and KidZone activities make for a fun day for all ages. Held the weekend of the last Sunday in April each year.http://www.lasr.net/pages/city.php?City_ID=&VE=Y&Event_ID=AR0502028e002
, the University of Arkansas
. Known for their state-of-the-art facilities, the area's public schools are also widely seen as some of the finest in the state, measured by academic and athletic success.
. The interstate has been the cause of much frustration in the area due to frequent traffic jams and accidents caused by the sudden growth of the area. Expansion of the interstate is currently in the planning stages. http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/08/06/news/0806azaccident.txt
Air traffic in the area relies on the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport
for all commercial passengers. The airport provides nonstop service to seventeen US cities and is currently planning a large expansion. The airport has seen a consistent rise in usage, with over 50,000 passenger emplanements per month.http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/12/11/business/121207bizxnanov.txt Most charter flights are served by the municipal airports of Bentonville
, Rogers
, Springdale
, and Fayetteville
.
Two public transit agencies serve the area; Ozark Regional Transit is a general transit agency with around a dozen local routes, plus commuter, paratransit, and special purpose routes. Razorback Transit primarily serves University of Arkansas students, is fare-free, and has a service area limited to Fayetteville. It is also open to the general public.
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
is a four-county area including three Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
counties and one Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
county. The MSA is anchored by the Arkansas cities of Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
, Springdale
Springdale, Arkansas
As of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more...
, Rogers
Rogers, Arkansas
Rogers is a suburban city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city has a population of 55,964. The city is located in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Area, in the northwest corner of the state.-History:...
, and Bentonville
Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
— the state's third, fourth, eighth, and 11th largest cities, respectively. The total MSA population in 2000 was 347,045 people. The US Census estimated the population of the MSA to be 464,623 in 2009. From 1990-2000 the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA was the sixth fastest growing area in the nation.http://www.censusscope.org/us/metro_rank_popl_growth.html The metropolitan area is the home of Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
and Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork only behind Brazilian JBS S.A., and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of...
— global leaders in retail and meat and poultry processing, respectively. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., North America's second largest publicly owned transportation and logistics company, is also based in the area. Over 1,300 Wal-Mart vendors have added corporate branches or offices in the area as well, including: Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, Procter and Gamble, Unilever
Unilever
Unilever is a British-Dutch multinational corporation that owns many of the world's consumer product brands in foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products....
, Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
, Nestlé
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
, Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
, General Mills
General Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
, Kellogg Company
Kellogg Company
Kellogg Company , is a producer of cereal and convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, frozen waffles, and vegetarian foods...
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=97406.46608.109548, and PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.asp?aid=112384.
Constituent counties
Constituent counties of the MSA include:Arkansas
- Benton CountyBenton County, ArkansasBenton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the population was 153,406. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 population is 221,339. The county seat is Bentonville. Benton County was formed on 30 September 1836 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S...
- Madison CountyMadison County, ArkansasMadison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 15,717. The county seat is Huntsville. The county was formed on September 30, 1836, and named for James Madison, President of the United States...
- Washington CountyWashington County, ArkansasWashington County is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 203,065. The county seat is Fayetteville. Washington County is Arkansas's 17th county, formed on October 17, 1828, and named for George Washington, the first President of the...
Missouri
- McDonald CountyMcDonald County, MissouriMcDonald County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States of America. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 23,083. Its county seat is Pineville...
Cities
Fayetteville
FayettevilleFayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
is a city in Washington County, Arkansas
Washington County, Arkansas
Washington County is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 203,065. The county seat is Fayetteville. Washington County is Arkansas's 17th county, formed on October 17, 1828, and named for George Washington, the first President of the...
, USA and home to the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, the city had a total population of 73,580. The city is the third most populous in Arkansas and serves as the county seat of Washington County
Washington County, Arkansas
Washington County is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 203,065. The county seat is Fayetteville. Washington County is Arkansas's 17th county, formed on October 17, 1828, and named for George Washington, the first President of the...
. It's also known for Dickson Street
Dickson Street
The West Dickson Street Commercial Historic District, known as Dickson Street is an area in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas just off the University of Arkansas campus. It is lined with multiple bars, restaurants, and shops unique to the area. Many large condo projects are now under construction as...
, perhaps the most prominent entertainment district in the state of Arkansas, which itself contains the Walton Arts Center
Walton Arts Center
The Walton Arts Center is Northwest Arkansas' largest performing arts center. It is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas near the campus of the University of Arkansas, and serves as a cultural center for the Northwest Arkansas area. The building was opened in 1992 in large part because of funds...
. Blocks from Dickson Street is the Fayetteville Historic Square
Fayetteville Historic Square
The Fayetteville Historic Square is a place in Fayetteville, Arkansas that includes the original Fayetteville post office built in 1911; the Old Bank of Fayetteville Building, the Lewis Brothers Building constructed in 1908, the Mrs. Young Building built in 1887, and the Guisinger Building...
, which hosts the nation's fifth-ranked Fayetteville's Farmer's Market. Fayetteville was also ranked 8th on Forbes Magazine's Top 10 Best Places in America for Business and Careers in 2007.
Springdale
SpringdaleSpringdale, Arkansas
As of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more...
is a city in Arkansas' Washington
Washington County, Arkansas
Washington County is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 203,065. The county seat is Fayetteville. Washington County is Arkansas's 17th county, formed on October 17, 1828, and named for George Washington, the first President of the...
, and Benton
Benton County, Arkansas
Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the population was 153,406. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 population is 221,339. The county seat is Bentonville. Benton County was formed on 30 September 1836 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S...
Counties. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 66,881. Springdale is currently Arkansas's fourth-largest city, behind Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
, and Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. Springdale is the location of the headquarters of Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork only behind Brazilian JBS S.A., and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of...
Inc., the largest meat producing company in the world, and has been dubbed the "Chicken Capital of the World" by several publications. In 2008, the Wichita Wranglers
Wichita Wranglers
The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas. The team, which played in the Texas League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major-league club from 1995 to 2007, and of the San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994. The Wranglers played in...
of AA minor league baseball's
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
moved to Springdale and play in Arvest Ballpark as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springdale, Arkansas. The team is member of the Texas League, and serves as the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals. They relocated to Springdale from Wichita, Kansas in 2008. They were previously known as the...
.
Rogers
RogersRogers, Arkansas
Rogers is a suburban city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city has a population of 55,964. The city is located in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Area, in the northwest corner of the state.-History:...
is a suburban city in Benton County, Arkansas
Benton County, Arkansas
Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the population was 153,406. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 population is 221,339. The county seat is Bentonville. Benton County was formed on 30 September 1836 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S...
, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city is the ninth most populous in the state, with a total population of 38,829. However, according to a 2007 special census Rogers has a population of 54,959. Rogers is famous as the location of the first Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
. In June 2007, BusinessWeek Magazine ranked Rogers as 18th in the 25 best affordable suburbs in the South. In 2010, CNN money magazine ranked Rogers as 10th Best Place to Live in US. It is the home town of American country music singer/songwriter Joe Nichols, and Marty Perry, as well as David Noland, also where comedian Will Rogers
Will Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s....
married Betty Blake.
Bentonville
BentonvilleBentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
is a city in Benton County, Arkansas
Benton County, Arkansas
Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the population was 153,406. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 population is 221,339. The county seat is Bentonville. Benton County was formed on 30 September 1836 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S...
, United States. The population was 19,730 at the 2000 census, however, the 2007 US Census estimates that the population of the city was 33,744, ranking it as the state's 11th largest city. Bentonville is the county seat of Benton County
Benton County, Arkansas
Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the population was 153,406. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 population is 221,339. The county seat is Bentonville. Benton County was formed on 30 September 1836 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S...
. It is home to the headquarters of Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
Stores, the largest retailer in the world. Bentonville is also the future home of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Funded by Sam Walton's daughter, Alice Walton
Alice Walton
Alice Louise Walton is an American heiress to the Wal-Mart fortune. She is the daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and Helen Walton, and sister of S. Robson Walton and Jim Walton. Another brother, John T. Walton, died in a 2005 plane crash. In September 2011, her estimated net worth was...
and designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie
Moshe Safdie
Moshe Safdie, CC, FAIA is an architect, urban designer, educator, theorist, and author. Born in the city of Haifa, then Palestine and now Israel, he moved with his family to Montreal, Canada, when he was 15 years old.-Career:...
, the highly anticipated museum will be home to some of America's finest works of art.
Suburbs
- Bella Vista, ArkansasBella Vista, ArkansasBella Vista is a city in Benton County, Arkansas. It previously was the largest unincorporated community in the state of Arkansas; however, in November 2006 it voted to incorporate and form a municipality. The Bella Vista Property Owners Association estimates that there are currently 24,000...
- Lowell, ArkansasLowell, ArkansasLowell is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,327. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- Siloam Springs, ArkansasSiloam Springs, ArkansasSiloam Springs is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,990...
- Johnson, ArkansasJohnson, ArkansasJohnson is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The city was incorporated in 1961. The population was 3,354 at the 2010 census...
- Centerton, ArkansasCenterton, ArkansasCenterton is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 9,515 at the 2010 census. A tornado destroyed 40 homes, damaged 150, and injured 12 people on March 12, 2006...
- Farmington, ArkansasFarmington, ArkansasFarmington is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,605 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- West Fork, ArkansasWest Fork, ArkansasWest Fork is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population is 2,317 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Greenland, ArkansasGreenland, ArkansasGreenland is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 907 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Tontitown, ArkansasTontitown, ArkansasTontitown is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,460 at the 2010 census. Tontitown is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- Elkins, ArkansasElkins, ArkansasElkins is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,251 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 347,045 people, 131,939 households, and 92,888 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 89.70% White, 1.22% African American, 1.53% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 4.03% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.32% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $32,469, and the median income for a family was $38,118. Males had a median income of $27,025 versus $20,295 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the MSA was $16,159.
Economy
Booming prosperity accompanying a tremendous increase in the area’s population has made Northwest Arkansas a recognized economic success. Many migrants come from Northeast Arkansas, South-Central Arkansas, and North Central Arkansas, to work in this booming area. The area is now seeking residents from places like Southwest Arkansas, and even Southeast Arkansas. The state’s population grew 13.7 percent between 1990 and 2000, but the two-county metropolitan statistical area accounted for one-third of that growth. Benton and Washington counties grew 47 percent between 1990 and 2000. Estimates put the two-county population at roughly 373,055 by December 2004. Even during national economic turmoil, Northwest Arkansas has experienced 8.2 percent job growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in February 2008 the Northwest Arkansas region as a whole had an unemployment rate of 4.1%. http://www.bls.gov/web/laummtrk.htm This unemployment rate gave Northwest Arkansas a rank of 41 out of 369 metropolitan areas in the United States. Per capita income in Northwest Arkansas is $31,191, according to the most recent figures from the United States Census Bureau. http://nwanews.com/nwat/Business/67899/ This is approximately $7,000 below the average per capita income.http://nwanews.com/nwat/Business/67899/Bentonville is world renowned as a retail capital of the world, as it is headquarters to Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated. Springdale is home to Fortune 75 company Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork only behind Brazilian JBS S.A., and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of...
, the world’s leading producer of poultry and beef, and second-largest producer of pork. J.B. Hunt Transport Services in Lowell
Lowell, Arkansas
Lowell is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,327. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, is the nation’s largest publicly owned truckload carrier, with international networks in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=97406.46608.109548
Outdoors
The Northwest Arkansas region is widely known for its natural beauty, and outdoor recreation. A local outdoor favorite is Devil's Den State ParkDevil's Den State Park
Devil's Den State Park is a Arkansas state park in Washington County, near West Fork, Arkansas in the United States. The park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps beginning in 1933. Devil's Den State Park is in the Lee Creek Valley in the Boston Mountains which are the southwestern part of...
, located outside of Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
in West Fork, Arkansas
West Fork, Arkansas
West Fork is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population is 2,317 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. The park offers scenic camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, caves, trails, and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
through the Ozark Mountains. The park is located just off Highway 74.
The favorite water destination would be Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake (Arkansas)
Beaver Lake is a man-made reservoir in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas and is formed by a dam across the White River. Beaver Lake has some of natural shoreline...
. Beaver Lake has some 487 miles (783.7 km) of natural shoreline. With towering limestone bluffs, natural caves, and a wide variety of trees and flowering shrubs, it is a popular tourist destination. Paved access roads wind through twelve developed parks. These parks have modern campsites offering electricity and fire rings with drinking water, showers, and restrooms nearby. Other facilities, such as picnic sites, swimming beaches, hiking trails, boat launching ramps, and sanitary dump stations are also available in the parks.
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a botanical garden near Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. The site is located at the border between north Fayetteville and south Springdale on Crossover Road...
, which covers 86 acres (348,030 m²), is a new botanical garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
now taking shape near Fayetteville. The site is located at the Fayetteville-Springdale border on Crossover Road (Highway 265) and currently includes seasonal plantings in a small area, a wildflower meadow, a lakeside hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail, and a self-guided tree identification tour. The garden's history dates to 1993 with a 2001 master plan. Construction will be undertaken in three phases. Phase 1 will build the garden gateway and entry road, parking area, visitor center, cafe and dining terrace, exhibit gallery, conference room, and 1/3 of the core gardens with 1/2 of the horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
and maintenance facilities. Phase 2 will create additional gardens, offices, classrooms, boat rental facility, amphitheater, observatory, demonstration gardens, and the remaining core gardens. Phase 3 will add trails, tropical conservatory, and lakeside overlooks, with the western 50 acres (202,343 m²) dedicated to native woodland plant restoration and wayside interpretive stations.
Art and entertainment
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
recreation destination as well, many projects currently underway.
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville
Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
is currently under construction. http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/205722/ When completed, the highly anticipated museum, funded by Sam Walton's daughter, Alice Walton
Alice Walton
Alice Louise Walton is an American heiress to the Wal-Mart fortune. She is the daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and Helen Walton, and sister of S. Robson Walton and Jim Walton. Another brother, John T. Walton, died in a 2005 plane crash. In September 2011, her estimated net worth was...
, and designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie
Moshe Safdie
Moshe Safdie, CC, FAIA is an architect, urban designer, educator, theorist, and author. Born in the city of Haifa, then Palestine and now Israel, he moved with his family to Montreal, Canada, when he was 15 years old.-Career:...
, will be home to some of America's finest works of art and will immediately become one of the nation's premier art museums.
The Walton Arts Center
Walton Arts Center
The Walton Arts Center is Northwest Arkansas' largest performing arts center. It is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas near the campus of the University of Arkansas, and serves as a cultural center for the Northwest Arkansas area. The building was opened in 1992 in large part because of funds...
is Arkansas' largest performing arts center. It is located in Fayetteville near the campus of the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
and serves as a cultural center for the Northwest Arkansas area. The building was opened in 1992 in large part because of funds donated by the Walton family (of Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
). The center is host to many musicals, plays, and other artistic and educational events throughout the year.
TheatreSquared
TheatreSquared
TheatreSquared, founded in 2005, is a regional professional theatre located in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas. The company stages four productions each year as well as the Arkansas New Play Festival of emerging works, totaling 60 annual performances for an audience of approximately 6,000...
is Northwest Arkansas's regional professional theatre. Its four-play subscription season and annual Arkansas New Play Fest are attended by an audience of 10,000, and the theatre's educational outreach program involves approximately 4,000 students and their teachers each year.
The Arts Center of the Ozarks is the region's oldest community arts institution. Since its inception in 1967, the ACO has grown from a small arts organization into a cultural center of regional significance. Located in downtown Springdale, the ACO offers a full season of mainstage plays and musicals, children's programs, visual arts exhibits, and classes in a variety of creative outlets.
Visitors to the area might also stop by the Wal-Mart Visitor Center. Located in Sam Walton's original Bentonville variety store, the Wal-Mart Visitors Center traces the origin and growth of Wal-Mart. The center was created as an educational and informative facility for those interested in this American retailing success story.
Anyone looking for a night on the town should head to the famous Dickson Street
Dickson Street
The West Dickson Street Commercial Historic District, known as Dickson Street is an area in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas just off the University of Arkansas campus. It is lined with multiple bars, restaurants, and shops unique to the area. Many large condo projects are now under construction as...
in downtown Fayetteville, just off the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
campus. Lined with popular bars, restaurants, and shops, Dickson Street is always lively, especially after large sporting events. Dickson Street is home to the Walton Arts Center
Walton Arts Center
The Walton Arts Center is Northwest Arkansas' largest performing arts center. It is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas near the campus of the University of Arkansas, and serves as a cultural center for the Northwest Arkansas area. The building was opened in 1992 in large part because of funds...
, the Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Festival, and many parades.
Sports
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
, Arkansas’ most successful, followed, and loved sports teams. The Razorbacks have a huge economic impact on the area, drawing fans from every corner of the state during football, basketball, and baseball seasons.
The Razorbacks currently field 19 total men's and women's varsity teams (8 men's and 11 women's) in 13 sports. The men's varsity teams are baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, and indoor and outdoor track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
; the 11 women's varsity teams are basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting . The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique , which designs the Code of Points and regulates all aspects of international elite...
, soccer, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
and diving
Diving
Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
, indoor and outdoor track, tennis, softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
and volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
. The Razorbacks compete in the NCAA's Division I (Division I FBS in football) and are currently members of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(Western Division).
The University of Arkansas also boasts some of the finest, and most widely recognized collegiate sporting facilities in the nation. State of the art facilities include: Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an American football stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and serves as the home field of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team since its opening in 1938. The stadium was formerly known as Razorback Stadium since 1941 before being renamed in 2001...
, Bud Walton Arena
Bud Walton Arena
Bud Walton Arena is the home to the men's and women's basketball teams of the University of Arkansas, known as the Razorbacks...
, Baum Stadium
Baum Stadium
Baum Stadium is the home stadium for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team. The actual field that is played on is entitled George Cole Field, named after the former Arkansas athletic director. George Cole Field was the name of the Razorbacks' home stadium from 1975 to March 1996...
, Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center
Randal Tyson Track Center
The Randal Tyson Track Center is a 5,500-seat indoor track in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was built in 2000. It is home to the University of Arkansas Razorbacks track and field teams. It was also home for one year to a the semi-pro Arkansas Stars. The facility is located behind the first base...
, and the John McDonnell
John McDonnell (coach)
John McDonnell is the retired head coach for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks track team. He began as the cross country track coach for the University in 1972 and became head track coach in 1978...
Outdoor Track.
In early 2008, Northwest Arkansas welcomed a Double-A minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team, formerly known as the Wichita Wranglers
Wichita Wranglers
The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas. The team, which played in the Texas League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major-league club from 1995 to 2007, and of the San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994. The Wranglers played in...
, to Springdale
Springdale, Arkansas
As of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more...
, where they became the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springdale, Arkansas. The team is member of the Texas League, and serves as the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals. They relocated to Springdale from Wichita, Kansas in 2008. They were previously known as the...
. The Naturals play at the newly completed Arvest Ballpark.
Festivals
Depending on the source, Fayetteville’s Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Festival is the third to fifth largest motorcycle rallyMotorcycle rally
A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts. Rallies can be large or small, and one-time or recurring. Some rallies are ride-in events, whereas some like the Iron Butt Rally involve days of riding and an actual gathering only at the end of the ride.-North America:Notable annual...
in the United States. The relatively new festival, which is based around the famous Dickson Street
Dickson Street
The West Dickson Street Commercial Historic District, known as Dickson Street is an area in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas just off the University of Arkansas campus. It is lined with multiple bars, restaurants, and shops unique to the area. Many large condo projects are now under construction as...
and held each fall, drew 350,000 visitors in 2006 and 75,000-100,000 bikes. The festival includes live bands, a parade, bike show, bike giveaway, and barbecue contest, among other events.http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/
Since 1974, the Dogwood Festival
Dogwood Festival
Numerous cities and towns in the U.S. hold dogwood festivals, usually an annual event coinciding with the blooming of dogwood trees in the spring:*The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is an arts-and-crafts fair held annually at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia....
has brought around 30,000 people to Siloam Springs and its parks for a 3-day event. Food, crafts, entertainment, flea market items, and KidZone activities make for a fun day for all ages. Held the weekend of the last Sunday in April each year.http://www.lasr.net/pages/city.php?City_ID=&VE=Y&Event_ID=AR0502028e002
Education
Northwest Arkansas is home to a wide variety of public and private schools, as well as a few institutions of higher learning, including Arkansas flagship universityUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
. Known for their state-of-the-art facilities, the area's public schools are also widely seen as some of the finest in the state, measured by academic and athletic success.
Higher education
- University of ArkansasUniversity of ArkansasThe University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
- The University of Arkansas, known also as the U of A, is a public co-educational land-grant university. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is noted for its strong architectureArchitectureArchitecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, agricultureAgricultureAgriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
(particularly poultry science), creative writingCreative writingCreative writing is considered to be any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works which fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems...
, and businessBusinessA business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
programs. Sports are also important to the university, as they are home to the state's beloved Arkansas RazorbacksArkansas RazorbacksThe Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
.
- The University of Arkansas, known also as the U of A, is a public co-educational land-grant university. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is noted for its strong architecture
- John Brown UniversityJohn Brown UniversityThe main campus in Northwest Arkansas has been the site of the university since it was founded in 1919. JBU has 2,183 students as of the 2011-2012 school year, 1,279 of which are traditional undergraduates. Of these, 878 live on campus. The Graduate School has 468 students...
- Northwest Arkansas Community CollegeNorthwest Arkansas Community CollegeNorthwest Arkansas Community College is a public two-year college located in Bentonville, Arkansas.- History :NWACC was founded in 1989 when Bentonville and Rogers Public School Districts passed a 3-mill property tax. It opened its doors in August, 1990. 1,200 students attended at the founding of...
Public schools
- Fayetteville High School, FayettevilleFayetteville, ArkansasFayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
- Fayetteville, Arkansas is the home of Fayetteville High. In 2006 the Fayetteville Bulldogs/Lady Bulldogs were ranked by Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
as one of the nation's Top 20 High School Athletic Programs having won 24 state-titles in ten sports in 10 years.
- Fayetteville, Arkansas is the home of Fayetteville High. In 2006 the Fayetteville Bulldogs/Lady Bulldogs were ranked by Sports Illustrated
- Springdale High SchoolSpringdale High SchoolSpringdale High School is a public high school in Springdale, Arkansas, United States for students in grades ten through twelve. Springdale High School is one of two high schools administered by the Springdale School District, the other being Har-Ber High School. SHS is also an IB World School...
, SpringdaleSpringdale, ArkansasAs of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more...
- In 2005, the Springdale Bulldogs football team won the State Championship, winning every game of the season by the mercy ruleMercy ruleA mercy rule, also well known by the slightly less polite term slaughter rule , brings a sports event to an early end when one team has a very large and presumably insurmountable lead over the other team...
.
- In 2005, the Springdale Bulldogs football team won the State Championship, winning every game of the season by the mercy rule
- Har-Ber High School, SpringdaleSpringdale, ArkansasAs of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more...
- Bentonville High SchoolBentonville High SchoolBentonville High School is a public high school in Bentonville, Arkansas for grades nine through twelve. The student population is approximately 3455 in 2010-2011. The current principal of the high school is Kim Garrett...
, BentonvilleBentonville, ArkansasBentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Perhaps the most distinguished public school in the state, Bentonville High was one of only 37 public high schools in the nation to be named to the US Department of Education’s list of Blue Ribbon Schools http://www.nwaonline.com/articles/2007/10/02/news/100307bzbhsblueribbon.txt. BHS is heavily funded by Wal-Mart, which was founded in Bentonville. Additionally, in 2003, 2005, and 2006 Bentonville High School has been ranked in the top 1000[1] best high schools in the nation according to NewsweekNewsweekNewsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazine's Top 1200 US Schools, and, in April 2007, Bentonville High School was approved as an International Baccalaureate World School. As of 2007, BHS ranked 597 out of 1200 high schools by Newsweek. Another public high school is now being planned for the city. http://www.nwarktimes.com/bcdr/News/54131/
- Perhaps the most distinguished public school in the state, Bentonville High was one of only 37 public high schools in the nation to be named to the US Department of Education’s list of Blue Ribbon Schools http://www.nwaonline.com/articles/2007/10/02/news/100307bzbhsblueribbon.txt. BHS is heavily funded by Wal-Mart, which was founded in Bentonville. Additionally, in 2003, 2005, and 2006 Bentonville High School has been ranked in the top 1000[1] best high schools in the nation according to Newsweek
- Rogers High SchoolRogers High School (Arkansas)Rogers High School is located in Rogers, Arkansas. As of the 2008/2009 school year, with the opening of Rogers Heritage High School on the site of the old high school and a massive school realignment, Rogers High School houses grades nine through twelve in one building. The Rogers High mascot is...
, RogersRogers, ArkansasRogers is a suburban city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city has a population of 55,964. The city is located in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Area, in the northwest corner of the state.-History:...
- The original Rogers Mounties High School. Rated by Newsweek as being one of the top 1300 high schools in the country.
- Rogers Heritage High SchoolRogers Heritage High SchoolRogers Heritage High School is a high school in Rogers, Arkansas. The school opened in 2024. The school was named Heritage after all of the students who came to the campus when it was Rogers High School.The schools mascot is the blue and orange war eagle which represents the proud native heritage...
, RogersRogers, ArkansasRogers is a suburban city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city has a population of 55,964. The city is located in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Area, in the northwest corner of the state.-History:...
- The 2nd high school in Rogers, opening for the 2008-2009 school year.
- Farmington High School, FarmingtonFarmington, ArkansasFarmington is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,605 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- Siloam Springs High School, Siloam Springs
- Pea Ridge High School, Pea RidgePea Ridge, ArkansasPea Ridge is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The name Pea Ridge comes from a combination of the physical location of the original settlement of the town, across the crest of an Ozark Mountains ridge, and for the hog peanuts or turkey peas that had been originally cultivated by...
Private schools
- Shiloh Christian SchoolShiloh Christian SchoolShiloh Christian School is a private school in Springdale, Arkansas, United States.-History:Shiloh Christian School was founded in 1976 as a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Springdale, by Dennis Cottrel and Tom Ellis, under the leadership of Pastor Cliff Palmer. The school opened with 180...
, SpringdaleSpringdale, ArkansasAs of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more... - Ozark Adventist AcademyOzark Adventist AcademyOzark Adventist Academy is a private Boarding school located near Gentry, Arkansas. Located in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, this Seventh-day Adventist boarding high school offers a warm, friendly, and inviting atmosphere.It is owned and operated by the...
, GentryGentry, ArkansasGentry is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,158 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... - Haas Hall, Farmington
Transportation
The region is served almost solely by the undersized interstate highway Interstate 540Interstate 540 (Arkansas)
Interstate 540 in Arkansas is a spur of Interstate 40 between Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas; the Northwest Arkansas segment is proposed to become part of an expanded Interstate 49. I-540 provides an Interstate Highway path between Fayetteville and Little Rock via Interstate 40. This links the...
. The interstate has been the cause of much frustration in the area due to frequent traffic jams and accidents caused by the sudden growth of the area. Expansion of the interstate is currently in the planning stages. http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/08/06/news/0806azaccident.txt
Air traffic in the area relies on the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport
Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport
Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport is an airport located in Highfill, Arkansas, near Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Siloam Springs, Arkansas...
for all commercial passengers. The airport provides nonstop service to seventeen US cities and is currently planning a large expansion. The airport has seen a consistent rise in usage, with over 50,000 passenger emplanements per month.http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/12/11/business/121207bizxnanov.txt Most charter flights are served by the municipal airports of Bentonville
Bentonville Municipal Airport
Bentonville Municipal Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles south of the central business district of Bentonville, a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. It is also known as Louise M...
, Rogers
Rogers Municipal Airport
Rogers Municipal Airport , also known as Carter Field, is a city-owned public-use airport located two nautical miles north of the central business district of Rogers, a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States...
, Springdale
Springdale Municipal Airport
Springdale Municipal Airport is a public airport located one mile southeast of the central business district of Springdale, a city in Washington County, Arkansas, USA. The airport covers and has one runway.Although most U.S...
, and Fayetteville
Drake Field
Drake Field is a city-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles south of the central business district of Fayetteville, in Washington County, Arkansas, United States...
.
Two public transit agencies serve the area; Ozark Regional Transit is a general transit agency with around a dozen local routes, plus commuter, paratransit, and special purpose routes. Razorback Transit primarily serves University of Arkansas students, is fare-free, and has a service area limited to Fayetteville. It is also open to the general public.
See also
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Walton Arts CenterWalton Arts CenterThe Walton Arts Center is Northwest Arkansas' largest performing arts center. It is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas near the campus of the University of Arkansas, and serves as a cultural center for the Northwest Arkansas area. The building was opened in 1992 in large part because of funds...
- Arkansas metropolitan areasArkansas Metropolitan AreasThe State of Arkansas has a total of eight metropolitan statistical areas that are fully or partially located in the state. Twenty of the state's 75 counties are classified by the United States Census Bureau as metropolitan....