Fayetteville Community Overview: HISTORY
LOCATION
The City of Fayetteville, also the County Seat of Washington County, is located in the northwest corner of Arkansas. It is approximately 30 miles east of the Oklahoma border and 50 miles south of Missouri. Sitting near the tallest of the mountains in the Ozark Mountain Range, the City enjoys four distinct and beautiful seasons in a climate that for decades has drawn a variety of individuals seeking a special environment to live, work, and raise their families. POPULATION / SIZE
From 1960 to 1990, Fayetteville more than doubled in size growing from a population of 20,274 to 42,249. The City has also experienced remarkable growth over the past six years. The 1980 population was 36,608; 1990 was 42,249; and current population from the 2000 Special Census is 58,047. Over the 20-year span of 1980-2000, the population increase is almost 59%. Based on the 2000 Census, Fayetteville is the fourth largest city in Arkansas. For an idea of Fayetteville's growth in size alone, the City currently encompasses 44.54 square miles or 28,508 acres; in 1870, the original town encompassed only 1,116 acres.
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Fayetteville's unemployment rate has historically been low and has remained below 3% since 1994. The per capita income has grown an impressive 75% since 1982. The significant economic growth has been fueled by the phenomenal growth of Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport, and other locally-based companies. Fayetteville is known as the business center for Northwest Arkansas. Aggressive in dealing with its growth, the City has anticipated future growth. A goal of the economic development philosophy is to not only encourage and support new business, but to direct the growth into areas compatible with existing industry and the economic base. In addition, initiatives such as the completion of the City's General Plan 2020 and the Capital Improvements Program, a 5-year plan updated and revised as needed as a planning tool for infrastructure and other capital improvements, allow for enhanced capability to meet the ever-increasing needs of Fayetteville citizens. | |
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