Arkansas
These are the most livable ‘small’ cities in Arkansas: study
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Wonder if you live in one of the most “livable” cities in the Natural State. Half of them are in Northwest Arkansas.
Financial technology company SmartAsset ranked 281 “small” cities with populations between 65,000 and 100,000.
“Housing affordability, the spread of business offerings, financial standing and unemployment levels, average commute times and healthcare coverage can all affect the well-being and comfort of the community as a whole,” SmartAsset said.
To determine the rankings, SmartAsset looked at
- Housing costs as a percentage of household income
- Percentage of residents below the poverty line
- Unemployment rate
- Percentage of residents with health insurance
- Average commute time
Here are the top cities in Arkansas:
Conway
No. 1 in Arkansas (No. 76 in U.S.)
- Annual housing costs as a percent of income: 17.7%
- Population below poverty level: 17.3%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses: 1.1%
- Commute time: 19.9 minutes
Jonesboro
No. 2 in Arkansas (No. 79 in U.S.)
- Annual housing costs as a percent of income: 17.8%
- Population below poverty level: 19.2%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses: 1.1%
- Commute time: 19.2 minutes
Fort Smith
No. 3 in Arkansas (No. 100 in U.S.)
- Annual housing costs as a percent of income: 19.3%
- Population below poverty level: 19.9%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses: 1.1%
- Commute time: 16.5 minutes
Springdale
No. 4 in Arkansas (No. 104 in U.S.)
- Annual housing costs as a percent of income: 19.6%
- Population below poverty level: 14.9%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses: 1.3%
- Commute time: 18.3 minutes
Rogers
No. 5 in Arkansas (No. 121 in U.S.)
- Annual housing costs as a percent of income: 17.8%
- Population below poverty level: 12.3%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses: 1.4%
- Commute time: 20.5 minutes
Fayetteville
No. 6 in Arkansas (No. 137 in U.S.)
- Annual housing costs as a percent of income: 22.6%
- Population below poverty level: 22.2%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses: 1.3%
- Commute time: 18.5 minutes
To see the full rankings, visit SmartAsset’s website.
Arkansas
One more list of wishes for Arkansas in 2026 | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Rex Nelson
Rex Nelson has been senior editor and columnist at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since 2017, and he has a biweekly podcast called “Southern Fried.”
After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University in 1981, he was a sportswriter for the Arkansas Democrat for a year before becoming editor of Arkadelphia’s Daily Siftings Herald. He was the youngest editor of a daily in Arkansas at age 23. Rex was then news and sports director at KVRC-KDEL from 1983-1985.
He returned to the Democrat as assistant sports editor in 1985. From 1986-1989, he was its Washington correspondent. He left to be Jackson T. Stephens’ consultant.
Rex became the Democrat-Gazette’s first political editor in 1992, but left in 1996 to join then-Gov. Mike Huckabee’s office. He also served from 2005-09 in the administration of President George W. Bush.
From 2009-2018, he worked stints at the Communications Group, Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities, and Simmons First National Corp.
Arkansas
USA Truck returns to private Arkansas-based ownership | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Dylan Sherman
Dylan Sherman is a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He is based in Northwest Arkansas and focuses on Tyson Foods Inc. and the transportation industry. A graduate of the University of Missouri, he has been with the newspaper since 2023.
Arkansas
Arkansas Court of Appeals | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
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