RANK #502 / 996 · POP 286,528 · AR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
Benton County, Arkansas, stands out for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, particularly around Beaver Lake, a large reservoir of the White River. Located in the northwest corner of the state, bordering Missouri and Oklahoma, the county is part of the Ozark Plateau, characterized by rolling hills, springs, and caves. Commutes are generally shorter than the national average, with Bentonville's average one-way commute at 16.2 minutes. The community offers extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, and kayaking, with numerous parks and trails. Notable towns include Bentonville, the county seat, and Rogers, the most populous city.
Life in Benton County attracts families and professionals, drawn by its highly-rated public schools and a sense of safety. The economy is driven by various sectors, including professional and business services, manufacturing, and healthcare. The region has seen significant population growth, with new residents attracted by employment opportunities. This growth has led to investments in commercial and residential development, as well as infrastructure improvements. Benton County consistently ranks among the healthiest in Arkansas, partly due to access to exercise opportunities.
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Simmons Prepared Foods Poultry Processing Plant
Simmons Prepared Foods
|
$300M | Operating |
|
SMT Energy Battery Energy Storage System
SMT Energy
|
$130M | Planned |
|
Benton County Solar Project
Undisclosed (part of MISO interconnection queue)
|
$80M | Planned |
|
NWA Office Holdings LLC Acquisition (Pinnacle Park & Bentonville Commerce)
NWA Office Holdings LLC (Orion Capital Partners affiliate)
|
$68M | Completed |
|
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) Solar Project
Today's Power, Inc.
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Benton County has a Boom Town Index score of 50/100, ranking #502 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.7% and a median household income of $85,269, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Benton County is $254,000 with median rent at $1,113/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3357, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.7%. Home values changed +2.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.22% of Benton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.