The city that sits on the northern banks of the Arkansas River has had several names. Before the Civil War, the area did not have a name, referred to only as “opposite Little Rock.” In 1866, it earned the name Argenta. Eventually, says historian Cary Bradburn, the city changed its name to North Little Rock in 1903 after being briefly annexed by Little Rock. The name has mostly stuck: an 11-year window in the early 1900s saw the city change back to Argenta, but it became North Little Rock again in 1917. More consistent than any of those official names is the city’s nickname: Dogtown. Residents have embraced the nickname’s apocryphal origin story, which claims that Little Rock residents used to dump unwanted dogs on the north side of the river. To them, the nickname is not derogatory but an embrace of the city’s scrappy personality. In 1965, the city held a mock funeral for the nickname, complete with a gravestone that stood downtown, but even that could not kill Dogtown’s pride. The nickname persists on signs and merchandise today.
North Little Rock has nearly 65,000 people, making it the seventh-largest city in Arkansas. Its population is up from around 62,000 people in 2010. The city’s residents still travel in and out of Little Rock for work and recreation, but North Little Rock has a downtown of its own. State, local and federal government are the area’s biggest employers, followed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Baptist Health and Little Rock Air Force Base.
Downtown Argenta in North Little Rock is situated on the banks of the Arkansas River.
North Little Rock residents are Dogtown Proud.
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Ranch-style and Craftsman homes in a suburban environment
The median price of a North Little Rock home is $183,000, lower than both the median price of a Little Rock home ($250,000) and the national average. “North Little Rock is less of a metropolis,” says Corina Jordan, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “It’s cozier. There are no high-rise buildings. It’s family friendly. It’s suburban with pockets of luxury listings.” Houses stay on the market for an average of 39 days. The Lakewood neighborhood has midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes that are more expensive. The Crystal Hill neighborhood has New Traditional housing, while Downtown Argenta has older Craftsman houses and bungalows.
Older Craftsman and bungalow homes line the streets in the Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock.
The Lakewood and Amboy neighborhoods have mid century ranch-style homes with shaded yards.
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A few miles from Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport
Interstate 30 runs north and south across the Arkansas River to Little Rock, while Interstate 40 runs east and west. Memphis is around 135 miles away. The Rock Region Metro Streetcar is a free service that runs through both North Little Rock and Little Rock, stopping at several downtown locations. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, less than 10 miles away in Little Rock, has nonstop domestic flights to 15 destinations. Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock is a Level III trauma center.
Central Arkansas Christian Schools is highly rated
Most students are served by the North Little Rock School District, which has a B-minus grade from Niche. The district serves 8,200 students across 14 schools. Crestwood Elementary School has the district’s highest grade, a B-plus. Some students on the edges of the city are served by the Pulaski County Special School District, which has a B-minus Niche grade. Central Arkansas Christian Schools, a PK-12 private school, earns an A-minus grade. The city is home to several colleges, including the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College.
The original architecture still stands at North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Crestwood Elementary School has the North Little Rock School District's highest grade, a B-plus.
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Burns Park is the region's athletics hub
The city has 35 parks, with many of them sitting near the Arkansas River. According to the Trust for Public Land, 42% of North Little Rock residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, lower than the urban U.S. average of 55%. Burns Park is the center of the city’s athletic activities. The 1,700-acre space has facilities for all major sports as well as a fishing lake, campgrounds and an archery range. The Arkansas River Trail's Grand Loop is an 88-mile bike path that goes over the Big Dam Bridge, which at 4,226 feet is the longest North American bridge built specifically for pedestrians and bike riders. Other green spaces, like the St. Joseph Center of Arkansas, have nothing to do with athletics. The 63-acre property has farm stands and gardens, but also offers goat yoga classes and junior naturalist camps.
Visitors stop to greet a horse on an equestrian trail at Burns Park in North Little Rock.
The Big Dam Bridge has walking trails for the whole family in North Little Rock.
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The Old Mill was featured in "Gone With The Wind"
Much of North Little Rock’s culture comes with history. The Old Mill, in T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, is a recreation of an 1880s-style grist mill. It was featured in the opening scene of “Gone With The Wind” for its photogenic qualities. The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum takes guests aboard the USS Razorback, the longest-serving submarine in the world. Argenta Drug Store is the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in the state, first opening in 1880. Since then, the only thing that has changed is the removal of a soda fountain. A Coca-Cola ad is painted on the building and other classic advertisements are featured inside.
The city hosts a Northern Lights Holiday Festival each year, complete with live music, a 38-foot Christmas tree and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. Simmons Bank Arena holds 18,000 people and hosts concerts and sporting events. The Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team plays its games at Dickey-Stephens Park. The club is the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Downtown Argenta is home to Dickey-Stephens Park, home of the Arkansas Travelers.
The Old Mill at T. R. Pugh Memorial Park in North Little Rock was used in the opening credits of Gone With The Wind.
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Main Street attractions and McCain Mall
Most of the city’s upscale dining, shopping and nightlife spots are in the Downtown Argenta neighborhood, particularly along Main Street. The Levy neighborhood is filled with Mexican and South American restaurants. In the Park Hill neighborhood, The Filling Station NLR is a food truck court and farmer’s market with a focus on local produce. Cypress Social, located just west of Crystal Hill, was named About You magazine’s best overall restaurant of 2024. McCain Mall, in the Lakewood neighborhood, has more than 80 retail stores and is surrounded by chain restaurants like Texas Roadhouse.
Downtown Argenta in North Little Rock offers upscale dining, shopping and nightlife spots along Main Street.
North Little Rock residents pick fresh locally grown veggies from the market at The Filling Station.
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Weathering the storm and residents’ resiliency
The city’s violent crime and property crime rates are higher than state and national averages, according to FBI crime data. In 2024, the North Little Rock Police Department created a real-time crime center to monitor the city and respond to crimes faster.
North Little Rock residents get used to seeking shelter. The city sits in Tornado Alley and often experiences strong winds. The city experiences four seasons, with muggy summers and shorter winters.
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When I am not working I am busy operating as a "Dad Taxi" service to my kids or taking in a local school event. At this time in my life I am involved in a lot of school events and kid activities. I have enjoyed many of the Hot Springs amenities over the years from the beautiful lakes, or biking trails, to the historic downtown area to mining diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. I would love to help you find the perfect place for you to call home!
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