Northwest Arkansas, also known as NWA, is a metropolitan area nestled within the lush rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains and includes four of the ten largest cities in the state: Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale. The region doubled in population between 1990 and 2010, bringing with it a surge of exciting new places to eat, shop, and play. Today’s population is roughly 560,000, with projections by the Arkansas Economic Development Institute predicting nearly 1 million residents living in Benton and Washington counties within the next 25 years.
There's a thriving business climate in Northwest Arkansas driven by three Fortune 500 companies headquartered here. Walmart, Tyson Foods, JB Hunt, and nearly 1,300 suppliers and vendors doing business with these companies have created a large movement to the area.
The community of Bella Vista alone offers five 18-hole golf courses and two nine-hole golf courses, making it the most exciting place for golfers. Beyond that, NWA has a wonderful mix of public and private courses that any golf enthusiast would enjoy. The area is home to an LPGA tournament, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, which is a fun opportunity to meet, greet, and see some of the best pros in women’s golf. And, if you’re looking for a fun night out, Top Golf offers a place to practice your swing and grab a delicious meal and mixed drinks!
Northwest Arkansas has more than 250 miles of top-tier mountain bike trails, offering cyclists one of the best singletrack experiences in the nation. With the rugged terrain of the Ozarks and one of the most progressive cycling cultures in the country, Northwest Arkansas has invested in an impressive infrastructure. Trails include downhill runs with shuttles, a best-in-class jump park, pump tracks, and skills courses. Since hosting the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) World Summit in 2016, the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship in 2019 — and most recently, the host of the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships — the area has earned a reputation as one of the top off-road cycling destinations in the nation.
Arkansas is named the Natural State for a reason, and primarily because of the beauty found in our region. There’s an abundance of hiking spots, lakes, rivers, and creeks across Northwest Arkansas. Highlights include Beaver Lake, Hobbs State Park, Lake Atalanta, Lake Fayetteville, Bella Vista Lake, Tanyard Creek Trail, and Devil’s Den State Park. If you’re more into cycling or long-distance running, you’ll enjoy The Razorback Regional Greenway. This is a 37.5-mile, primarily off-road, shared-use trail that extends from south Fayetteville to Bella Vista. The trail links dozens of popular community destinations, giving you the full experience of NWA.
NWA is a great place to raise a family or entertain the grandkids! There’s the Amazeum Children’s Museum, Blue Zoo Aquarium, and the children’s studio at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. These, along with our public libraries, are just a few of the best indoor places to spend time playing and fostering creativity. There are also dozens of local parks and outdoor events designed just for kids, such as the Firefly Fling at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
When the Wall Street Journal named Bentonville an up-and-coming culinary scene in 2014, the region exploded with great dining options. Add to that, when the Walmart AMP became one of the top 100 amphitheaters in the country, some of the biggest names in music began adding this stop to their tours. Today, the culinary & music scene in Northwest Arkansas continues to be a large part of the tourism and overall growth of our area.
NWA is home to the top-ranked schools in the state - and the country. According to U.S. News & World Report, we have eight public high schools that rank in the top 10% of the nation. The student: teacher ratio is 14:1 for K-12 education, and the high school graduation rate is 90%, which is higher than the national rate of 85.3%. Education is highly valued here, which is why there are many environments to inspire a love of learning at all ages. This includes early childhood centers, independent & private schools, public & charter schools, higher education opportunities, specialty education such as the Brightwater Culinary Institute, and even homeschooling support. The University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, and John Brown University is just a short drive away in Siloam Springs.
