RANK #216 / 996 · POP 60,593 · AR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.0%
Van Buren, the county seat of Crawford County, Arkansas, offers a glimpse into the past with its preserved 19th-century architecture, including Victorian homes and a charming downtown area. Located in northwestern Arkansas, Crawford County is part of the Fort Smith metropolitan area and is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and fertile river valleys. Commuting to Fort Smith is common, and the county's central location provides access to major transportation networks. The area boasts natural amenities, with outdoor recreation opportunities at Lake Fort Smith State Park and Devil's Den State Park, offering camping, fishing, hiking, and boating. The Ozark National Forest also covers a significant portion of the county, providing additional outdoor activities.
Life in Crawford County often appeals to families, with public schools generally performing above average. Many residents own their homes, contributing to a stable community feel. The local economy, historically rooted in agriculture and related industries, is seeing new developments. Energy sector investments are contributing to economic growth, with projects focused on modernizing infrastructure and exploring cleaner energy generation, such as natural gas and renewable sources. These developments aim to support job creation and maintain affordable power for residents and businesses.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Shasta Power Solar Farm with Battery Storage
Shasta Power
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Crawford Battery/Storage
Cleanview (developer not specified)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Crawford County has a Boom Town Index score of 78/100, ranking #216 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.9% and a median household income of $56,702, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Crawford County is $154,900 with median rent at $789/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3661, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.9%. Home values changed +6.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.75% of Crawford County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.