Van Buren
RANK #166 / 996 NAT · #8 / 13 AR · POP 60,593
1YR FORECAST: +5.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 ranks #166 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 83/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.9% and a median household income of $56,702 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Crawford County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $154,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $789/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Crawford County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.9%. Home values shifted +6.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.75% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Crawford County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.7% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Crawford County is now valued at $154,900. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.