Small-town charm with new homes and room to grow
Bono is a former railroad town growing with new construction homes and commercial offerings. The city borders miles of farmland with fewer than 5,000 residents, offering quintessential country charm. It’s a commuter town for Jonesboro, about 8 miles south, home to Arkansas State University. “Bono is slower paced; it’s quaint, small-town living,” says lifelong local Andrea Andrews, a Realtor with Compass Rose Realty. “You can get acreage there with Jonesboro nearby.”
Older Bono homes offer more land, while new builds dominate sales
List prices in Bono range from around $60,000 to roughly $290,000. Properties built in the late 20th century, such as 1980s cottages and ranch-style houses from the ‘70s, tend to sit on larger lots, around an acre. Newly plotted lots are smaller, many about a quarter-acre. New construction properties make up most of the current market, often featuring New Traditional architecture. Some special flood zones are on Bono’s outskirts, so properties there require flood insurance to secure a federal mortgage. Hurricane season ranges from early June to late November, increasing the risk of flooding and high winds.
Westside Elementary hosts a free summer meal program
Westside Consolidated Schools, graded B-minus on Niche, serves Bono with schools within a 5-mile drive. The district offers a summer meal program at Westside Elementary, open to all children under 18 in the community. Westside Elementary is graded C-plus, Westside Middle earns a B and Westside High has a C-plus. Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school include AP Chemistry, AP Biology and AP World History. Arkansas State University is less than 10 miles south in Jonesboro, and has over 70 undergraduate programs.
From playgrounds to fishing, outdoor fun is close to home
Bono offers green space, playgrounds, fitness stations and walking trails across three city parks. Just east of the community, a boat ramp allows easy access to Bono Lake, where anglers fish for largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. Unmarked trails are around the lake, but hikers and mountain bikers might be more interested in Lake Frierson State Park, about 10 miles north. Anchored by a 335-acre lake, the state park is popular among anglers, too. Visitors can rent kayaks and fishing boats there, and campsites are also available. For official athletic facilities, Joe Mack Campbell Sports Complex is nearby in Jonesboro, featuring facilities for soccer, baseball, tennis and more.
Where locals fuel up, grab BBQ and shop for basics
Bono’s main road, U.S. Route 63, is the main drag for gassing up, grabbing a quick bite or heading into Jonesboro for the closest grocery store, Walmart Supercenter. Vaughn's Pit Stop BBQ is a Bono favorite, serving hickory-smoked meats. It’s located next to the Dollar General, where residents can get necessities. The development of Bono Commercial Park will bring more shopping and dining options, though construction has yet to begin. On the north side of the community, the locally owned and operated Jonesboro Cycle & ATV is a one-stop shop for all things powersports, home to an extensive variety of recreational vehicles as well as servicing.
Closest hospital and airport are both under 15 miles away
Route 63 is a direct path into Jonesboro, which has the closest hospital, St. Bernard’s Medical Center, roughly 9 miles away. Jonesboro Municipal Airport is closer to 14 miles away, offering daily flights to Nashville, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
