Thousands of residents filled Block Avenue on May 17 during the annual Block Street Block Party.
Photo: Clayton Taylor
Fayetteville continues to be the fastest growing city in the state, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau last week.
With a population estimate of 80,621 people, the city added over 1,600 residents during the year ending July 1, 2014, more than any other city in Arkansas. It’s the third straight year Fayetteville has led the state in population growth estimates.
Fayetteville’s neighbors are also growing quickly. Bentonville was the second fastest growing city, expanding its population 3.7 percent to 41,613 people. Rogers ranked third with an increase of 1,373 people, and Springdale was fourth with 1,270 new residents. No other cities in Arkansas added more than 1,000 people.
The four major cities in Northwest Arkansas combined to add almost 5,700 new residents to the state, more than doubling the combined additions in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, and Benton.
According to the Northwest Arkansas Council, Fayetteville added more people than nearly every city in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. The exceptions were Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Mo.; Edmond, Okla.; and Overland Park, Kan. The group also noted that only 134 of the nation’s 19,510 cities have added more people than Fayetteville in the past four years. The city’s population is estimated to have grown by 7,041 new residents since the 2010 Census.
Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in Arkansas
As estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau
| City | July 2013 | July 2014 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 79,019 | 80,621 | 1,602 (+2.0%) |
| Bentonville | 40,121 | 41,613 | 1,492 (+3.7%) |
| Rogers | 60,091 | 61,464 | 1,373 (+2.3%) |
| Springdale | 75,295 | 76,565 | 1,270 (+1.7%) |
| Conway | 63,610 | 64,490 | 880 (+1.4%) |
| North Little Rock | 66,092 | 66,810 | 718 (+1.1%) |
| Benton | 32,985 | 33,625 | 640 (+1.9%) |
| Centerton | 10,553 | 11,193 | 640 (+6.1%) |
| Jonesboro | 71,654 | 72,210 | 556 (+0.8%) |
| Paragould | 27,019 | 27,465 | 446 (+1.7%) |
