Education, culture and recreation in Northwest Arkansas's largest city
Nestled in Northwest Arkansas’s Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is a center of education, culture and recreation. Home to more than 100,000 and anchored by the flagship University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is the largest city in the state’s fastest-growing region. U.S. News & World Report ranked it in the top 25 of Best Places to Live in 2024-25. “In our big metropolis, Fayetteville keeps its identity with the university here,” says Katie Young, a Realtor with Crye-Leike of Fayetteville. “They still have the slogan Keep Fayetteville Funky, so the city encourages locally owned businesses. There’s also a lot of culture here. Another thing that sets it apart are all the outdoor attractions. It’s a family-friendly, funky town.”
The heart of Fayetteville lies downtown, near the University of Arkansas and the square.
Golfers practice their swing or hit the greens at Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club.
Since 1973 the Fayetteville Farmers Market has offered local farmers and makers a place to sell.
Children of Downtown Fayetteville frequent the Walker Park splash pad.
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Public school district chartered same year university founded
Fayetteville Public Schools, the state’s oldest public school district, was chartered in 1871, the same year the University of Arkansas was founded. The district scores an A on Niche and operates 16 schools serving more than 10,000 students. Root Elementary, Woodland Junior High and Fayetteville High are all A-rated schools. Fayetteville High is a football powerhouse, having won its most recent state title in 2023. The city is also home to the flagship campus of Haas Hall Academy, an open-enrollment charter school that serves students in seventh through 12th grades. It has been ranked as the state’s top high school for 12 years running.
The University of Arkansas’s 2024 enrollment exceeded 33,000, including more than 27,000 undergraduates. Undergraduate studies comprise 103 fields of study. The university offers 271 degrees and certificates, including 95 master’s degree programs and 36 doctoral programs. Princeton Review ranks it No. 1 for graduate entrepreneurship programs. The university has produced 11 Rhodes Scholars, with its most recent in 2022.
Happy Hollow Elementary, rated A- on Niche.com, serves pre-kindergarten through fourth grade.
McNair Middle School holds and A rating on Niche.com
Fayetteville High School entrance
Holcomb Elementary School is home of the Hornets.
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UA athletics part of city’s cultural fabric
As a modern college town, Fayetteville offers a diverse cultural and entertainment scene--one that cannot be separated from the tradition of calling the Hogs. The “Wooooo, Pig Sooie!” chant is synonymous with UA athletics, and the Razorbacks are the talk of the town, especially during football and basketball seasons. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and Walton Arena on the UA campus are state-of-the-art facilities packed for every home game. Even the baseball team has become a Southeastern Conference powerhouse drawing big crowds to Baum-Walker Stadium. Meanwhile, Arkansas’s track and field teams have won 39 of the university’s 45 national titles. “Those teams are the heartbeat of Fayetteville,” Young says. “It gives the community something to rally around.”
Cultural attractions are centered around Dickson Street. The Walton Arts Center, built in 1992, is the state's largest venue of its kind. Its year-round schedule includes musical performances, high-profile comedians and various specialty shows like the “Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Party” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.” The center is home to three resident companies: Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Trike Theatre for Youth and Community Creative Center. TheatreSquared has a 51,500-square-foot performance space nearby.
Fayetteville features more than 150 pieces of public art. Fayetteville Historic Square, established in 1829, hosts popular annual events such as the Block Street Block Party and the Lights of the Ozarks Festival. The city’s music scene is highlighted by George’s Majestic Lounge, a Dickson Street institution that is the state's oldest and longest-running live music venue. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks was a dream nearly 15 years in the making. Opened in 2007, it contains 12 themed gardens and hosts annual events such as the Orchid Show in March and the International Festival in September. The latter focuses on Northwest Arkansas’ cultural diversity and features traditional dances, musical performances and regional-specific cuisines.
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an American football stadium in Fayetteville.
Bud Walton Arena, home of the Razorbacks basketball team is another favorite for sports fans.
Fans large and small enjoy the HogTown Festival.
The Stadium Shoppe On Razorback in Fayetteville Junction is a one stop shop for all U of A fans.
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Housing prices high for the region, but below national average
Fayetteville is one of the more expensive locations in Northwest Arkansas, yet housing costs remain below the national average, with a median sales price of $363,000. “Property values are ever-increasing,” Young says. “Within the last year or two, I’ve sold homes that were resold quickly, and the sellers still came out ahead.” Because of the large student population, many of the city’s homes are rentals or short-term purchases. “A lot of families will buy homes here for their kids that are going to school, and that drives demand greatly,” Young says.
Root School is the city’s most expensive neighborhood, with a median listing price of almost $820,000. Wyman-Stonebridge is the most affordable, with a median price of $118,000. City Plan 2040 is the latest update to the city’s goal of encouraging residential growth and the construction of affordable housing. That includes adding housing along U.S. Highway 71B, the city’s primary commercial corridor known locally as College Avenue. Insurance rates here are not affected by severe weather, as the city enjoys a temperate climate and all four seasons. The occasional snowstorm can cause travel issues, given the city’s hilly terrain.
Many large newer homes in Clabber Creek offer multi-car garages.
A stroll through Downtown Fayetteville will reveal many gems like this craftsman bungalow.
Larger homes, reaching $700k provide easy access to the Fayetteville Country Club and a view.
At the rural edges of Hyland Park, there are many colonial revival homes.
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Razorback Regional Greenway connects bike riders to other cities
Fayetteville has more than 4,200 acres of green space. There are 47 parks and several nature areas that are designated wildlife habitats. The city maintains three lakes, a skate park, a swimming pool and 79 miles of paved and natural-surface trails. “There are so many trailheads that you can go across the city east to west and north to south without ever getting on the roads,” Young says. The Razorback Regional Greenway spans almost 40 miles. It weaves its way north from the city’s Kessler Mountain Regional Park into Bentonville and beyond. “You can take it all the way to Bella Vista,” Young says, referring to the last Arkansas city before the Missouri state line. “They’ve put a lot of money into those trails.” The city’s first green space, Wilson Park, is more than a century old, and it is home to a beloved interactive sculpture called the “Castle,” designed by local artist Frank Williams.
Nearby Gordon Long Park is the perfect stop for cyclists traversing the Razorback Greenway.
Cyclists will find a variety of trails interconnected in Downtown Fayetteville.
The Frisco trail connects Downtown Fayetteville to the Razorback greenway.
The Razorback Greenway cuts through Fayetteville Junction connecting it to the rest of NWA.
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Doe’s Eat Place on Dickson among city’s diverse dining options
In addition to being the center of Fayetteville’s entertainment district, Dickson Street also is home to several eateries and boutique shops. Dining options include everything from Yancey’s Dickson Street Dogs to Doe’s Eat Place, an established, high-end steak house. Over on Block Street is Hugo’s, a city staple since 1977. “They have a great burger; that’s what they’re known for,” Young says.
The diverse culinary scene also features upscale farm-to-table restaurants, small neighborhood haunts and plenty of barbecue joints. The Northwest Arkansas Mall has been a Fayetteville destination for more than 50 years. An array of nearby retail and dining options line College Avenue. The city square hosts the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market, which began in 1973. It runs every Saturday throughout the year.
Bridgeport is just a 10 minute drive from Dickson Street's bars, restaurants, and entertainment.
City Park offers locals a unique outdoor eating environment just outside the Asbell neighborhood
Grab a plate and a beer at Lucky Luke's BBQ in the Asbell neighborhood.
Stop at the new Fayetteville Taco & Tamales near Fayetteville Junction for a mixed drink.
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Interstate 49, Razorback Transit bus service provide convenient travel options
Residents have easy access to public transportation. The Razorback Transit bus service operates throughout the city, while Ozark Regional Transit has routes that connect to other Northwest Arkansas destinations. The city has an Active Transportation Plan to make walking and cycling safer and more appealing, with upgraded bike lanes and sidewalks. In fact, the city was awarded a “Bike City” designation in 2021 by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body of cycling.
Work commutes are made easy by Interstate 49, which bisects the town, and highways 62 and 71. Washington Regional Medical Center is conveniently located in the heart of the city, and it is one of Fayetteville’s top employers. The University of Arkansas, Pace Industries, Tyson Foods and Walmart are other major employers. The Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport is about 25 miles away.
Jump on the bus and enjoy downtown Fayetteville just 10 minutes from Baldwin.
Clabber Creek is a residential haven moments from I-49 and 6 miles from downtown Fayetteville.
Bus service is provided by Ozark Regional Transit and Razorback Transit.
University of Arkansas students utilize the Razorback transit system.
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Crime
The latest 2024 data from the Fayetteville Police Department shows that property crime is down 31.7% from the previous year, and violent crime is down 2.6%. Vehicle theft and larceny experienced the biggest decreases during the reporting period.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
