Benton
Arkansas

What stands out

Three things set Benton County apart from the other 3,142 counties: population growth is in the top 4% of American counties (+2.7% a year), the median household income is in the top 8% of American counties ($85,269), and the share working from home is in the top 12% of American counties (13%). Within Arkansas it ranks 1st of 75 counties for population growth.

Where you are

You live in Benton County, Arkansas. 286,528 people live here with you. The population grew 2.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +5,376).

Arkansas has been cutting its income tax rates every legislative session since 2015, and the top rate is now well under 4%. Home prices remain among the lowest in the country, especially outside Northwest Arkansas, where Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt have built a fast-growing corporate corridor around Bentonville and Fayetteville. Tornado season is real across the whole state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $85,269 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $81,978. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 87% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 3.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,075 a year.

Home

The median home costs $387K, pricier than 84% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $979 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $1,602 a year on that median home, lower than 74% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 57% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 8 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 508 active physicians in the county, about 17.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 62% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 26 points. 66% of eligible voters turned out. Under Arkansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 71 and lows near 48, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 52 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 88 out of 100, riskier than 88% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 267 Mbps down, faster than 82% of American counties. There are 16 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 9 museums, 1 National Park Service site.