Census Bureau Reveals Fastest-Growing Large Cities

Eight of the 15 cities or towns with the largest population gains were located in the South in 2017, with two Arkansas cities in the top 100, according to new population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Photo Courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism”

Fayetteville tops the list with the largest population gain with an increase of over 11,600 people (15.9%) since April 1, 2010, said Pam Willrodt Ph.D., a demographer at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI). This growth has now pushed the Fayetteville population over the 85,000 mark.

In terms of percentage change in population, though, Rogers saw an increase of 18.6% in its population since April 1, 2010 (10,414 people). The other double-digit population percentage increases were in Jonesboro (12.7%), Springdale (12.5%), and Conway (11.7%).

The three other Arkansas cities with population of 50,000 or more ranked on the list of 717 were: North Little Rock (3,537; 5.7%), Little Rock (5,125; 2.6%), and Fort Smith (1,767, 2.0%).

About AEDI

The Institute was created in 1955 with a purpose to provide research, technical assistance, and training to the state’s leaders, public and private, that supports and enhances the economic development of our state. AEDI has and continues to be dedicated to supporting the Arkansas economic development community by serving as a source of sound and credible research, technical assistance, and training.

See the newly released 2017 data…

If you have questions or need assistance finding data, please contact the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, Pam Willrodt Ph.D., at 501-569-8221 or pswillrodt@ualr.edu.