Relocating to Fayetteville


by Lou Ross - Date: 2007-03-27 - Word Count: 661 Share This!

Fayetteville, Arkansas is considered by some to be one of the best places to live in America. For those with designs on relocating to Fayetteville, here's some information to consider.

Located in the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is the seat of Washington County. Ever increasing in size, Fayetteville is still a small city by U.S. standards. In 2005, The U.S. Census Bureau estimated a population of 66,655 people, nearly 15% higher than the census of 2000. The city's population changed greatly during the 1990s when it increased 35%. Fayetteville is part of a growing metropolitan area inhabited by over 400,000 people, according to census estimates in 2005. The metro area is the sixth fastest growing area in the nation. Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods make their home here. Fayetteville was also the first home of Bill and Hillary Clinton while they both taught law at the University of Arkansas School of Law.

If you are relocating to Fayetteville for the college atmosphere, you will find the University of Arkansas. The large student population drives down the average age of residents to just 27 years. The national average is 36.4. An estimated 14,600 full-time students reside in the community each year. Fayetteville is tops in the state for the percentage of college educated citizens. The 2000 census found 41.2% of the population held a bachelor's degree or higher. The city population is primarily White Non-Hispanic, accounting for 84% of its citizens. Significantly below the state average are the Black and Hispanic races that combine for just 10% of city residents. Statistically, Fayetteville is the norm when it comes to crime. The city's crime index compiled by the FBI has risen slightly in recent years but holds near the national index of 325.2.

Money Magazine touts the city as one of the "Best Places to Live in America." Forbes ranked Fayetteville 7th in 2005 for the "Best Places For Business And Careers." The metro area ranked #1 for job growth by "Milken Institute" in 2003. Median family income in Fayetteville is among the best Arkansas has to offer. At $58,946 annually, the city is ahead of the national trend by over $3,000, according to a 2005 U.S. Census study. However, household yearly earnings averaging $37,000 were well below the national figure of $46,242. By national standards, Fayetteville's well-educated set was lagging in per capita income with $18,111 annually. The U.S. average was 21,587. The percentage of jobless citizens has been significantly higher than state and national levels. White non-Hispanic men held the lowest unemployment rate in 2000 at 11.5%. In sharp contrast, nearly 32% of Black women in the city were without work. 19.9% of the city's residents were living below the poverty line in 2000. That's seven and a half percent above the U.S. rate.

You may be more likely to rent if you are relocating to Fayetteville. Affordably priced, house values in the city were assessed at $100,300 on average in 2000. This falls below state and national median home values. However, the cost of the houses built in 2005 was much higher. Building permits show 623 dwellings were constructed at an average cost of $194,500 apiece. Renters outnumber home owners at nearly 58% of the population. Perhaps that's because the average asking price for rent in 2000 was $390 before utilities. Census studies in 2005 found renters were paying $579 monthly on average for rent.

Fayetteville has short commute times and is agreeable for those who like to walk or bike to work. Residents can enjoy warm summers with average highs of 89 degrees in late July to late August. Average lows in winter drop to 24 degrees. The city averages 46 inches of precipitation annually. March is the month that gets the most snow with about 9.5 inches. While 97% greater than the rest of the country, tornado activity in the Fayetteville-area is slightly below the state average.

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