A Johnson County city with access to several bodies of water
In Clarksville, many of the more than 9,000 residents’ preferred mode of transportation is not walking or driving, but floating. The city’s location on the Arkansas River, near Lake Dardanelle and several creeks in Johnson County, makes it a haven for water activities. Floating the creeks in a canoe or an inner tube is the way many residents spend their summers. The city is also close to the Ozark Mountains and hiking opportunities. “People are coming here for the slower pace of life and the outdoor opportunities,” says Matthew Hurst, an agent with Century 21 Glover Town & Country. The manufacturing and production industries employ many Clarksville residents, including at a Tyson Foods Inc. plant and multiple automation systems plants.
Traditional homes with brick exteriors for below-median prices
Homes have a median price of around $175,000, well below the state median. Traditional homes with brick exteriors are common throughout the northern half of the city. There are also lots and large parcels of land available for building. The southern half of the city is more spread out and less developed.
Float along Mulberry River or Big Piney Creek
Water access is important to the city. Boat ramps are placed along Clarksville’s southern edge, including at Spadra Park. Several creeks, rivers and lakes are either along the city’s edge or within a short drive. Hurst says nearby Mulberry River is preferred by tourists, as there are plenty of restaurants nearby, while locals often head to Big Piney Creek. Fishing, kayaking and floating are some of the many water activities available.
On land, the Red Lick MTB Trails are a series of mountain biking and hiking paths that wind around Lake Ludwig and through the area. Other city parks have athletic facilities, playgrounds and walking trails. The city’s 2040 comprehensive plan states a desire to extend its trail system to connect to more neighborhoods.
Convenient access to Russellville
Interstate 40 runs south of Clarksville’s downtown, while U.S. Route 64 goes through it. “There is minimal traffic,” Hurst says. “You might have to wait three minutes on Rogers Street, as that is a main thoroughfare and it gets a bit more dense after work.” Johnson Regional Medical Center is a 90-bed hospital in the center of clinics and medical offices. Russellville, the area's largest city with nearly 30,000 people, is about 30 miles southeast. The closest major airport is Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, around 100 miles away in Little Rock. It has nonstop flights to many domestic destinations.
The Johnson County Peach Festival has eclectic activities
The Johnson County Peach Festival, held each summer, is the longest-running festival in Arkansas, lasting more than 80 years. The multi-day event includes peach-eating contests, a peach pit-spitting contest and a greased pig chase among its activities. The city also hosts a free summer concert series at The Levee off West Main Street.
The Walton Fine Arts Center, on the University of the Ozarks campus, has a 650-seat theater and hosts live productions and speaking engagements.
Retail boutiques sit along West Main Street
Clarksville has several retail boutiques, especially along West Main Street, and some small shopping centers. Larger shopping options are in nearby Russellville. Dining options are largely congregated along South Rogers Street. Wrecked Canoe Bistro + Patio has American cuisine and live music. Johnson County is dry, but some restaurants have licenses to sell alcohol, and there are breweries and wineries in other counties a short drive away.
The Foothills Market, a collection of local farmers that sell produce and other goods, holds pickups each Thursday afternoon in Johnson County Court Square. Orders are required to be placed online in advance.
Clarksville is home to the University of the Ozarks
Students are served by the Clarksville School District, which has a B Niche grade. The district serves more than 2,500 students across six schools. Clarksville High School has an individual B-plus grade. The city is also home to the University of the Ozarks, a private college that enrolls around 900 students.
Humid summers and cold winters
Clarksville’s violent crime and property crime rates have increased in recent years. Both rates are above the national average. The city experiences four seasons. The summers are humid and the winters are short but cold. Johnson County is at a high risk of ice storms and a moderate risk of tornadoes and heat waves.
