RANK #664 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 13 AR · POP 303,632
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Benton County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.5% runs above the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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 1001 counties.
At 33/100, Benton County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $93,506 combined with job growth of +4.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Benton County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $323,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,277/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Benton County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.5% clip. Home values shifted +2.5% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.13% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Benton County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.