Highfill is a growing, farm-filled city near Bentonville
The small city of Highfill began as a railway stop and a collection of apple orchards. With cows grazing fields across from the city hall, “rural” is still an accurate description, despite the recent uptick in residential development and proximity to the bigger city of Bentonville. “For somebody who is from the city, it’s a very out-of-the-way, not-around-anything type of place,” says Catrina Scroggins, a Coldwell Banker Realtor and northwest Arkansas native. “If you’re trying to get away from the busyness, it could be a good option for you. Or if you’re from a very rural area where you’re not around anything, but you’re not quite ready to be in the city, it could also be good for you.”
Farms in central Highfill, newly built subdivisions on the outskirts
Cottages, manufactured homes, farmhouses, and working ranches are common here. Many have spacious properties with long driveways and fields rather than front lawns. Pastures in central Highfill give way to subdivisions of more closely spaced new construction on the outskirts, such as Woodward Hills, Woodward Park and Applewood Estates. Single-family homes typically sell for between about $215,000 and $785,000. Large, custom-built homes with at least 1 acre of land can cost anywhere from $925,000 to $1.7 million. Townhomes, like those in Woodward Park, range from about $200,000 to $270,000. Land prices start under $100,000 and rise to $1.8 million, depending on the number of acres. Properties with over 65 acres can sell for more than $3 million.
Spring Branch and Lick Branch, offshoots of Little Osage Creek, are prone to flooding. Benton County is vulnerable to tornadoes and wildfires.
Bentonville, Gentry and Decatur schools serve Highfill students
Students may be zoned to Bentonville Schools, Gentry Public Schools or Decatur School District, depending on their address. The Bentonville Schools district earns an A-plus from Niche and has four Parent Choice Schools, which offer application-based magnet programs. In- and out-of-district transfers are also permitted. Students may attend Vaughn Elementary (not rated), Creekside Middle (A), Grimsley Junior High (A) and Bentonville West High (A). The high school offers an International Baccalaureate program. Gentry Public Schools earns a B from Niche; Decatur School District gets a C-minus. Both districts allow in- and out-of-district transfers by application.
Highfill’s City Park and fire station host annual community events
Highfill City Park has a playground and covered picnic areas. Seasonal events, including annual easter egg hunts, trunk-or-treats and tree-lighting ceremonies, are held on the park’s multiuse field. The park also hosts the annual Highfill Fall Festival in November, with craft and artisan booths, food and drink vendors, live music, games and kids’ activities. The fire department puts on two annual fundraisers at the station down the road: the Chili Supper & Dessert Auction in March and the Chicken BBQ Fundraiser in August. The Highfill Community Building, next to the fire station, is a rentable event space. The Creeks Golf & RV Resort, in nearby Cave Springs, has an 18-hole golf course, as well as a chipping and short game area, practice range and putting green.
Teahouse, taproom and more Highfill restaurants, stores in Bentonville
The Cottage Gardens is a locally owned tearoom on State Road 12. It offers midmorning and early afternoon tea service on Fridays and Saturdays, in a renovated 1870s cottage that was once the home of the city’s namesake, Hezekiah Highfill. A Dollar General, a gas station with a convenience store, and a few more dining options are clustered around the corner of State Road 12 and Highfill Street, about a mile east. Kaleidoscope Café serves coffee, tea and baked goods; El Pueblito is a sports bar-style Mexican restaurant; Black Howler Beer Company is a taproom known for craft beer, food trucks and pop-up markets. The neighboring cities of Centerton and Bentonville have grocery stores and big-box retailers, including Harps Food Stores, Aldi and Walmart Neighborhood Market.
XNA nearby, State Roads 12 and 264 connect around Benton County
Northwest Arkansas National Airport, also known as XNA, is less than 10 miles from most homes. The domestic airport offers direct commercial flights to Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit and more destinations. State Road 264 connects east toward Interstate 49, which runs southwest toward Fort Smith. State Road 12 connects northeast to Bentonville and west toward Oklahoma. Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, a big regional employer, is roughly 13 miles away.
