Fastest growing cities in Arkansas
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. North Little Rock
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,893
--- #1,625 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.7%
--- #166 among cities in Arkansas, #11,782 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 64,591
--- #7 largest city in Arkansas, #626 largest city nationwide
#19. Siloam Springs
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,917
--- #1,620 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 20.3%
--- #82 among cities in Arkansas, #5,547 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,287
--- #27 largest city in Arkansas, #2,571 largest city nationwide
#18. Maumelle
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,333
--- #1,431 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 20.9%
--- #80 among cities in Arkansas, #5,402 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 19,251
--- #24 largest city in Arkansas, #2,340 largest city nationwide
#17. Hot Springs Village
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,339
--- #1,426 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 26.7%
--- #58 among cities in Arkansas, #4,322 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 15,861
--- #28 largest city in Arkansas, #2,794 largest city nationwide
#16. Fort Smith
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,942
--- #1,250 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.6%
--- #167 among cities in Arkansas, #11,838 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 89,142
--- #3 largest city in Arkansas, #401 largest city nationwide
#15. Sherwood
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,041
--- #1,216 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 14.1%
--- #113 among cities in Arkansas, #7,258 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 32,731
--- #13 largest city in Arkansas, #1,360 largest city nationwide
#14. Cave Springs
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,048
--- #1,213 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 279.8%
--- #3 among cities in Arkansas, #189 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,495
--- #65 largest city in Arkansas, #6,159 largest city nationwide
#13. Paragould
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,115
--- #1,194 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 16.2%
--- #104 among cities in Arkansas, #6,596 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 29,537
--- #15 largest city in Arkansas, #1,522 largest city nationwide
#12. Cabot
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,236
--- #1,166 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.0%
--- #90 among cities in Arkansas, #5,873 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 26,569
--- #19 largest city in Arkansas, #1,694 largest city nationwide
#11. Bryant
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,906
--- #1,037 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 31.1%
--- #51 among cities in Arkansas, #3,701 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 20,663
--- #23 largest city in Arkansas, #2,185 largest city nationwide
#10. Bella Vista
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,493
--- #925 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.3%
--- #73 among cities in Arkansas, #5,111 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 30,104
--- #14 largest city in Arkansas, #1,489 largest city nationwide
#9. Benton
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,896
--- #862 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 20.2%
--- #83 among cities in Arkansas, #5,562 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 35,014
--- #12 largest city in Arkansas, #1,266 largest city nationwide
#8. Conway
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,879
--- #664 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 14.0%
--- #115 among cities in Arkansas, #7,282 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 64,134
--- #8 largest city in Arkansas, #633 largest city nationwide
#7. Centerton
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +9,478
--- #544 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 114.0%
--- #11 among cities in Arkansas, #728 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,792
--- #25 largest city in Arkansas, #2,518 largest city nationwide
#6. Little Rock
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +11,873
--- #428 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.2%
--- #153 among cities in Arkansas, #10,831 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 202,591
--- #1 largest city in Arkansas, #119 largest city nationwide
#5. Jonesboro
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +13,778
--- #351 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 21.3%
--- #78 among cities in Arkansas, #5,346 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 78,576
--- #5 largest city in Arkansas, #482 largest city nationwide
#4. Rogers
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +16,701
--- #267 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 31.4%
--- #50 among cities in Arkansas, #3,663 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 69,908
--- #6 largest city in Arkansas, #566 largest city nationwide
#3. Springdale
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +17,700
--- #250 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 26.6%
--- #59 among cities in Arkansas, #4,326 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 84,161
--- #4 largest city in Arkansas, #434 largest city nationwide
#2. Bentonville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +21,479
--- #183 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 65.7%
--- #24 among cities in Arkansas, #1,565 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 54,164
--- #9 largest city in Arkansas, #785 largest city nationwide
#1. Fayetteville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,179
--- #174 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 30.9%
--- #52 among cities in Arkansas, #3,726 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 93,949
--- #2 largest city in Arkansas, #367 largest city nationwide
