Fayetteville passes 100,000 residents, while Tontitown grows the fastest in latest census estimates

Fayetteville as seen from the Mount Sequoyah overlook on Jan. 2, 2023. (Flyer photo/Todd Gill, File)

Fayetteville passed the 100,000 mark after adding nearly 2,000 residents last year, according to the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The bureau this week released its annual population estimates for every city in the United States as of July 1, 2023.

The data shows Fayetteville had 101,680 residents last year, which is a 2% increase from the 99,688 count in 2022.

However, it was Tontitown that had the highest growth rate in Northwest Arkansas with a 12.9% increase, followed by Centerton, which added 2,413 resident for an 11.2% rate of growth.

As for the four largest cities in the region, Bentonville’s population increased 2.8% last year from 57,873 to 59,471. Rogers grew from 72,999 people to 74,035 for a 1.4% growth rate. Springdale added 422 residents last year, for a total of 88,224 and a 0.5% increase.

Fayetteville in 2021 passed Fort Smith to become the second-largest city in Arkansas. The city of Fort Smith last year saw its population drop by 310 residents when it moved from 90,080 people to 89,770.

Washington County grew from 256,682 to 261,549 people last year, while Benton County’s population increased from 302,811 to 311,013.

Despite major growth in Northwest Arkansas, Little Rock is still the state’s largest city with an estimated population of 203,842, up from 203,176 in 2022.

The state itself grew by 21,323 people last year for a total population of 3,067,732, according to the census data.

Northwest Arkansas population changes (top 20)

 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau