Welcome to Arkansas
Your life in the Natural State begins
Welcome to Arkansas
From the Ozark mountains to the rice patties of the delta, Arkansas is a state full of variety–and not just when it comes to geological features. The state is home to big business, arts and culture, outdoor adventure, elite college sports and so much more.
Much like in neighboring Mississippi, the Arkansas delta region is home to vibrant mix of musical tradition that includes blues, gospel, R&B, and rockabilly that gave birth to musicians such as Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, Albert King, Levon Helm, Al Green, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and many more. Arkansas is also home to Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, but also many more giant businesses including ABF Freight System, J.B. Hunt, Dillard's, Murphy Oil and Tyson Foods.
Thinking about calling Arkansas home? Keep reading to learn more about the Natural State and all that it has to offer.
Arkansas Self-Storage Facts
The Arkansas self-storage industry has recently benefitted from a nationwide wave of self-storage construction activity taking place across the nation. Now some of that new construction has made its way to Arkansas. Self-storage operators are attracted to fast growing markets, making some Arkansas cities and towns an attractive target for expansion. New facilities are being built around the state, in addition to the redevelopment of vacant strip mall big box stores into self-storage units.
Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Arkansas:
Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Arkansas:
688
Arkansas is home to an estimated 688 self-storage facilities.
20,909,575
Arkansas self-storage facilities cover 20,909,575 square feet of storage space.
7.16
Arkansas storage facilities offer 7.16 square feet of storage per person, which is higher than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.
Reasons to Move to Arkansas
If you are moving to Arkansas you have a lot to look forward to. The state has a lot to offer in terms of culture, climate, jobs and more. Keep reading to find out more about all the things that make Arkansas an amazing place to live.
1
Explore the Ozarks. The Ozarks is an incredible region of mountains and lakes full of outdoor recreation possibilities, or just good country living.
2
You can afford it. Arkansas has a 15 percent lower cost of living than the rest of the country.
3
Soak in Hot Springs. Head to Hot Springs to enjoy, well, hot springs. The spa town is home to a number of developed and natural thermal springs that provide a warm respite from the outside world.
4
Razorback pride. Fandom for the University of Arkansas' Razorbacks sports teams is pervasive throughout the state. If you aren't a fan now, you will be.
5
Arts and culture are our bread and butter. Arkansas is rife with performing arts centers, museums and galleries thanks in big part to the fortunes of the Waltons; the Walmart founding family has invested millions into the region's arts and culture over the years and continues to do so.
6
Property taxes are way low. Arkansas has the 10th lowest property tax rates in the country, which has help fuel the state's fast growing housing industry.
7
Finders keepers. Arkansas is home to the only diamond mine in the world that is open to the public. If you're lucky enough to find a diamond while prospecting it is yours to keep.
8
Keep it folky. Mountain View is a small town in the Ozarks that is known as the Folk Music Capital of the World. It hosts the annual Arkansas Folk Festival, and several other folk music performances including a weekly free show on the courthouse steps.
9
Little Rock rocks. You'll find plenty to do in the state's biggest city and its capital including: the Arkansas Arts Center, Bill Clinton's presidential library, the General Douglas MacArthur military museum and many more.
10
We got good weather. Arkansas low key has one of the most comfortable climates in the Lower 48. The state has four distinct seasons: a temperate spring, a hot summer, a dry fall, and mild winter.
Moving to Arkansas
Arkansas has a growing population, thanks to many new residents moving from out of state for its low cost of living, high quality of life, thriving business environment and opportunities in the arts. The state grew 3.6 percent between 2010 and 2018. With an estimated three million people, Arkansas is ranked 34th in population for the United States. Little Rock is the state's most populous city with nearly 200,000 citizens. Residents go by several different acceptable demonyms: Arkansan, Arkansawyer or Arkanite.
Arkansas Economic Outlook
Arkansas has a GDP of $132.4 billion, ranked about 35th nationally. The state is home to several Fortune 500 corporations, including global retail giant Walmart. However, the median household income is $45,869 per year, which is significantly less than the national average of more than $60,000 a year. The good news is the state has a very low cost of living and also a low cost of doing business, which is both attracting new residents and businesses alike. The state of Arkansas has a low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent, as of November 2019.
Here is a break down of Arkansas' largest sectors by GDP:
Who are Arkansas's Largest Employers?
Places to live in Arkansas
Arkansas spans more than 53,000 square miles, the 29th largest state in the country. It is divided in several distinct regions: the Ozarks, the Arkansas Valley, the Ouachita Mountains, the Gulf Coastal Plain, and the Mississippi River Delta. Little Rock is located in the center of the state at the nexus of these various regions. Each region has its own cultural differences and traditions that you should know about when selecting a place to move. Below are just a few of the places you might consider living when you arrive in Arkansas.
Little Rock
The cultured capital of Arkansas has a metro region population of more than 700,000 residents. Residents of the city are known as Little Rockers. The city is actually named for a little rock, a stone outcropping in the Arkansas River that travelers used as a landmark. Attempts to name the settlement Arkopolis in the 1820s were unsuccessful. Today the city is home to several museums, theaters, cultural institutions, large state employers, and much more.
Fort Smith
Located in northwest Arkansas near the Oklahoma border, Fort Smith is the second most populous city in Arkansas. The city is known for its thriving music scene and large number of manufacturing jobs. The city was established as a frontier military camp in 1817 and became a starting point for settlers making their way further west. The city is also home to the new United States Marshals Service National Museum, thanks to the city's federal law enforcement roots.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas, making this college town in the heart of the Ozarks important to Razorbacks everywhere. Known as the Athens of the Ozarks, this small refined city has a population of more than 86,000 and more than 500,000 residents living in the surrounding metro area. Families and retirees are flocking to Fayetteville which was recognized in 2016 by U.S. News as the third best place to live in America.
Moving to Arkansas Resources
All Arkansas Cities
- Fort Smith
- Little Rock
- Fayetteville
- Springdale
- Jonesboro
- North Little Rock
- Conway
- Rogers
- Pine Bluff
- Bentonville
- Hot Springs
- Benton
- Texarkana
- Sherwood
- Jacksonville
- West Memphis
- Paragould
- Cabot
- Searcy
- Van Buren
- Maumelle
- Bella Vista
- Greenbrier
- Stuttgart
- Marion
- Centerton
- Batesville
- Greenwood
- Morrilton
- Lowell
- Sheridan
- Siloam Springs
- Royal
- Beebe
- Harrison
- Berryville
- Malvern
- Mountain Home
- Prairie Grove
- Pea Ridge
- Bryant
- Alma
- Pocahontas
- Arkadelphia
- Farmington
- Green Forest
- Huntsville
- Clarksville