Greenwood is an appealing destination about 12 miles south of Fort Smith in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley. Nearly 10,000 residents enjoy top-rated schools and a strong business climate. The tight-knit community also features several churches and plenty of outdoor activities. “It’s got that country feel with a little bit of city flair,” says Sarah Newton with Weichert Realtors-The Griffin Company in Fort Smith. “The biggest attraction is that it has the best school system in the entire River Valley.”
Local companies manufacture a variety of products
The city’s economy is anchored by several local manufacturing companies with national footprints. Corrugated boxes, medical treatment tables and fishing lures are among the products mass produced in Greenwood.
Good schools, low-cost loans help drive the housing market
The median price is $230,000, about 10 percent higher than Fort Smith but nearly 40 percent lower than the national median. Greenwood has been at the forefront of the regional housing boom, which kept relative home values up. The presence of good schools and the availability of USDA rural development loans contributed to an active market. “Buyers can come in and get the best school district in the state without having to put up a down payment,” Newton says. Ranch-style designs and newer brick-built homes in neighborhood settings are common among the city’s housing options. Spacious, multi-level modern homes are a highlight of new subdivisions such as East Village, where lots list for under $60,000. Acreage homes are among the city’s most expensive. The river valley is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Residents are likely to experience rain every month. Rainstorms are the most common severe weather event, and tornadoes are possible.
Greenwood district includes top-rated schools and a football powerhouse
Students are served by the Greenwood School District, which earns an A from Niche. Five schools encompassing all four levels – elementary, middle, junior high and high school – also receive As from Niche. The school system provides special education classes and intervention programs, and its specialized offerings include STEM and gifted and talented. The high school features dual enrollment at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and Arkansas Tech University, and it has a dedicated website for the Career Action Plan program. Greenwood High is a football powerhouse whose 12 state titles since 2000 is an Arkansas modern-era record. “You’ve got the highly rated schools, and then you add on the athletic portion,” Newton says. “They have sent several athletes to big-name schools.” The University of Arkansas, the state’s premier school, is about an hour’s drive up Interstate 540.
The Arkansas River Valley offers plenty of recreation
The nearby Arkansas River is the region’s premier destination for floating, boating and fishing. City parks offer an array of athletic amenities, playgrounds and hiking trails. City ponds and Greenwood Lake offer additional fishing opportunities. Bell Park, the largest of the city’s recreational spaces, hosts the annual Fall Festival. City Square, an urban green space that features a veterans memorial built around an iconic clock tower, is the center of community activity. It is the site of the 4th of July Freedom Fest. The signature event begins with a 5K and includes vendors, artists, musicians and children’s activities. The Greenwood Performing Arts Center is just a few blocks from City Square. Vache Grasse Country Club has been part of the city since 1965. It features an 18-hole golf course and other resort-style amenities.
Retail stores and restaurants line Center Street
Walmart and Harps Food Stores, staples of Arkansas retail, highlight a variety of shopping options along Center Street. Restaurants are also concentrated around the city’s main commercial corridor, which runs from its west side through downtown. “The Dari is nice, little, quaint place. I would say that’s the hotspot,” Newton says. “They have a little bit of everything. You can get beans and cornbread, ribs and catfish. But they also do veggie plates with cottage cheese and fruit. Greenwood also has, in my opinion, a really good Chinese restaurant called Lin’s House.” More dining options are available in downtown Fort Smith, which is a regional hub of entertainment and nightlife.
Conveniently located to Fort Smith and major interstates
U.S. Highway 71 connects directly to Fort Smith. “A lot of people who live here work outside the city and still commute.” Fort Smith is home to several large medical facilities, including Baptist Health-Fort Smith and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Fort Smith Regional Airport is about a 15-mile drive. I-540 in Fort Smith connects to I-40 and I-49, which provide access to the larger cities of central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas, respectively.
Crime statistics for Greenwood are not readily available.
