Recreational hotspot that wrestles with reputation
Inside Arkansas, the city of Harrison is known for its historic downtown, laidback vibe and access to the Buffalo River, one of the state’s premier attractions. Outside of the state, however, this small town of about 13,000 is mostly known for its complicated history with racism.
A little more than 100 years ago it was the site of race riots that effectively pushed African Americans out of Boone County for decades and paved the way for white supremacist groups to take root. Since then, it has been the subject of news reports from outlets like ABC and CNN that portrayed the city in a negative light. In recent years, the city and its race relations task force have been battling with a small group of white supremacists to improve Harrison’s reputation.
“I don’t think people outside of Harrison understand our community,” says city native Tina Farmer, genealogist at the Boone County Library in Harrison. “They might see a bad headline, but they’re not seeing the second and third generations of people living here. We’re a welcoming community. Those others are a very small minority.”
Harrison is a growing community with plenty of opportunity.
Fishing, walking, running and cycling are popular activities around Lake Harrison.
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Continuing fight to change the city's image
The Harrison Community Task Force on Race Relations was created in 2003 to address the city’s image. Unfortunately, white supremacists living in the area soon began attending its public meetings. The task force was originally intended to be a six-month project, but it has become a staple of community activism more than two decades later. In 2012, it hosted the Non-Violent Youth Summit organized by the state’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. In 2013, when racist billboards began appearing and once again put a negative national spotlight on the city, the task force began a years-long fight to have them removed. One billboard on private property remains, but the task force continues its efforts to take it down. In 2022, Harrison native Ebony Mitchell was crowned Miss Arkansas. A woman of color, she has since used her platform to work with the task force on its mission to promote the city as accepting of all, regardless of race.
Harrison is home to the 2022 Miss Arkansas Ebony Mitchell.
A colorful mural greets visitors to downtown Harrison.
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Buffalo River is at heart of region's tourism
The Buffalo River winds its way through rural northern Arkansas just 20 minutes south of the city. It was designated as a national river in 1972 and has become a destination for outdoors enthusiasts. The river is surrounded by the picturesque bluffs of the Ozarks, making it especially popular for canoeing, hiking and camping. “I’ve been here since it was just a regular river that locals used,” Farmer says. “The tourism industry here has grown so much.”
Lake Harrison, located just outside the city’s historic downtown, is surrounded by a 3-mile walking trail and is a prime spot for fishing and kayaking. Equity Bank Sports Complex is the city’s premier recreational destination. Its baseball and softball fields host local, regional and national events. The Creekside Community & Aquatics Center is a popular new addition. “We’re still a community that is active with all age groups,” says Farmer, who compares Creekside to a YMCA facility. The Anstaff Soccer Complex hosts several large-scale events, including the Fire in the Sky Fourth of July celebration and the annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship. Golfers can hit the links at Harrison Country Club, part of the community since 1924.
The Buffalo River is a unique national park a short drive outside Harrison.
Residents enjoy the shade of a large tree at the Wonder Willa Playground.
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Low cost of living in convenient rural setting
The median sales price of $200,000 is about 20 percent lower than the state median. Anchored by its attractive housing prices, the city’s cost of living is nearly 25 percent lower than the national average. “People come here to be close to Branson and Northwest Arkansas, but they want to be outside of the larger cities and have a country feel,” Farmer says. Ranch-style homes on spacious lots are common throughout the city. Small older homes are among the cheapest options, while large acreage homes are the city’s most expensive. Contemporary homes in subdivision settings are built with brick construction to make them energy efficient. Winters in the mountainous regions of north Arkansas are cold and often snowy. Summers tend to be hot and muggy. Harrison also experiences its share of severe weather, including the occasional tornado.
Ranch style homes line a residential street in Harrison.
A stately Mansard style home brings architectural variety to Harrison.
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Historic downtown home to Lyric Theatre, quaint collection of shops and eateries
Downtown Harrison is home to a collection of retail shops, independents businesses, quaint eateries and cultural attractions. The heart of the historic district is known as the square, whose central attractions include the Lyric Theatre. The performing-arts venue, which opened in 1929, was renovated by the Ozarks Arts Council in 1999. The Hotel Seville, which also opened in 1929, and the Boone County Heritage Museum, which is housed in the original Harrison High School building, are additional downtown attractions. More shopping and dining options, including an array of restaurants that feature everything from steaks to sushi, are concentrated along U.S. Highway 65, the city’s primary thoroughfare.
Downtown Harrison is filled with historic architecture.
Harrison residents frequent locally owned restaurants like Boba Joes.
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Harrison School District earns an A-minus from Niche
The Harrison School District comprises two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. It serves more than 2,700 students and is rated A-minus by Niche.
Harrison Middle School is part of the Harrison public school district.
Harrison High School is home to the Goblins.
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Easy access to Boone County Regional Airport, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
U.S. Highway 65, which bisects this car-dependent city, provides easy access to local travel. Nearby U.S. Route 412 provides direct access to Mountain Home and more outdoor adventures about 50 miles east. North Arkansas Transportation Service offers public transportation for personal needs. Medicare will reimburse the cost of trips for medical purposes. Harrison is home to the Boone County Regional Airport and the North Arkansas Regional Medical Center.
Crime in Harrison
Per statistics from the Harrison City Police Department, property crime dropped 11 percent between 2023 and 2024, while violent crime rose 12 percent during the same time period.
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Average Home Value
Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: 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.
