A billion-dollar investment is reshaping Morrilton
Morrilton is making a name for itself in the heart of central Arkansas. Realtor and executive Broker Becki Griffey-Walters with Moore and Co. Realtors notes that the housing market is exploding with no signs of slowing down. "In the last two weeks, we've had nearly 1,000 contracts. I've never seen this in my 30-something years of real estate," Griffey-Walters says. The community of about 7,000 residents expects a lot of growth, as local company Green Bay Packaging announced it's investing $1 billion to expand its facilities. "Even just with construction workers, that's going to bring a lot of new buyers. We've always just been this little niche that gets overflow from Conway, but I'm really looking forward to the market from here on out," Griffey-Walters says. As Morrilton expands, buyers enjoy access to the area's many state parks and the charming downtown area, which is also growing. According to Griffey-Walters, such quick expansion is helping Morrilton stand out, and the sales are only getting bigger. "This weekend, I had 30 new listings and two sold within a day. We're a small community, but those are big numbers."
Rising prices reflect growing demand in this once-quiet town
Morrilton is near the Arkansas River, in a verdant river valley, close to the Ozark National Forest and numerous state parks. On the community's edge are subdivisions with spacious acreages and farmhouses with crop fields. Moving inward, there are ranch-style houses and New Traditional homes available. Near the heart of Morrilton are homes from the early to mid-20th century, including Craftsman-style homes and cottages. Many of these homes are being renovated from the top down. "We're a target for the USDA rural development and renovation loans, which are attracting buyers," Griffey-Walters says. The median sale price for a home in Morrilton is $162,000, significantly lower than the national median of $441,500. But that's not something that Griffey-Walters thinks will last long. "Before last year, we never had a market over $250,000. But now most homes are selling between $275,000 and $400,000, which I've never seen before," she says.
The community sits in an area of the southern United States sometimes called "Dixie Alley," known for its risk of frequent, powerful tornadoes. Residents should be aware of the risk of tornadoes and wind damage and consider building a storm shelter if not already present.
Morrilton schools earn B ratings and keep class sizes small
South Conway County School District serves more than 2,300 students, including those in Morrilton. The district earns an overall B rating from Niche and has a 92 percent graduation rate. The schools in Morrilton all earn B ratings and are split between grades to maintain a small student-teacher ratio. Morrilton Primary serves prekindergarten through first grade; Morrilton Elementary serves second and third grade; Morrilton Intermediate serves fourth through sixth grade; Morrilton Junior High serves seventh and eighth grade; and Morrilton Senior High serves ninth through 12th grade.
Outdoor lovers enjoy fishing, boating and mountain trails nearby
Morrilton is in an area rich in hiking, biking, and fishing. Petit Jean State Park is a popular option, spanning over 3,400 acres of mountains, caverns, meadows, forests and the 95-foot Cedar Falls. The park has several miles of trails, picnic areas and a boat launch ramp onto the Petit Jean River. There's also a recreation area with a playground, sports courts, a pavilion and an amphitheater. The nearby Arkansas River is popular for fishing, boating and kayaking. Morrilton is also within an hour's drive of Ouachita National Forest, 20 miles away, and Ozark National Forest, 55 miles away. In town, Morrilton City Park offers classic recreation options: athletic fields, tennis courts, a playground with a splash pad, and a pool. There's also an adjacent walking path that loops through a shady wooded area. The park is also the site of the Conway County Fairgrounds, which hosts the County Fair every September.
Harding Street and downtown offer shopping and services
Morrilton has a thriving local business community. One of the town's major roads, Harding Street, is lined with supply shops, medical offices and small businesses. Downtown has more locally owned boutiques and shops. For groceries, there is a Harps Food Store and a Walmart. There are several restaurants in the area, like Nooner's Diner, a local mainstay for comfort food; Los Cabos, a classic Mexican spot; and Donuts Donuts, a regional chain. There are a few community gathering spots, like the Rialto Community Arts Center, a historic theater that has shown concerts, movies and performances since the 1940s. There are dozens of events in the community, such as church picnics, youth art shows, line dancing, pageants and the seasonal Morrilton Farmers Market.
Morrilton is car-dependent with quick access to I-40
Interstate 40 and Highway 64 are the two major thoroughfares in Morrilton. Public transportation isn't widely available, so residents are car-dependent. CHI St. Vincent Morrilton is the local hospital, located on Harding Street. The nearest larger cities are Conway, 20 miles away, and Little Rock, 50 miles away. Little Rock is also home to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, which connects to numerous major airports across the United States.
