Stuttgart known as the "Rice and Duck Capital of the World"
Stuttgart is a city of just under 8,000 in the Grand Prairie region of the Arkansas Delta about 50 miles southeast of Little Rock. Its fertile land has been a center of rice production and waterfowl migration since the early 1900s, earning Stuttgart the moniker of “Rice and Duck Capital of the World.” Flooded rice fields create artificial wetland habitats that attract ducks. “We’re a large farm community,” says Sandra Brothers of Brothers Realty, who lives and works in Stuttgart. “We have three main industries and a lot of offspring businesses associated with them.” Two of those industries are Riceland Foods and Producers Rice Mill. The other is Lennox, the air-conditioning company. The trio provides the city with a stable economy.
Museum, sporting goods store are local attractions
Stuttgart is home to the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie, an award-winning facility that highlights the origins of the region through artifacts donated by descendants of prairie pioneers. “It’s a jewel for our town, for people to come here and see our history,” Brothers says. Mack’s Prairie Wings is another local attraction. The massive sporting goods store is known as a waterfowl mecca. “People fly in to the little airport outside of town just to duck hunt here,” Brothers says. The city’s signature event is the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest & Wings Over the Prairie Festival. What is now a two-day celebration held every November traces its roots to 1936. The family-friendly festival takes up 6 blocks downtown and features a carnival, duck-calling contests, shopping, food and more.
A wide range of homes at affordable prices
Stuttgart is also known for its affordability. It scores a 67 on the cost of living index, which is a third less than the national average, and the median home price is $127,000. “We have a wide range, from very affordable to higher-end homes,” Brothers says. “We cover it all.” The mostly older housing stock consists of homes in several sizes concentrated downtown. These homes typically display more architectural diversity and occupy smaller lots than those in other areas. “A lot of people have bought historic homes downtown and redone them,” Brothers says. Smaller residential pockets feature contemporary homes with driveways and attached garages built close together amid the collection of older homes, and attractive midcentury ranch-style homes on spacious lots on the city’s edges. There’s also a small collection of golf course homes. Given the variety of housing, prices can vary wildly. However, they typically range from $50,000 to $300,000-plus. Residents can expect hot, muggy summers and cold, wet winters. Storms are most common in the spring, and the city is at risk for the occasional tornado.
Duck hunting, organized sports are recreational highlights
While the surrounding landscape is a haven for duck hunters, Stuttgart offers residents a variety of traditional recreational spaces within the city limits. The Cain Aquatic Center is the featured attraction at John Cain Park. Reinsch Sports Complex is the center of organized youth baseball and softball. In addition, Brothers says, the city provides opportunities for the community’s youngest residents to compete in a variety of sports, including baseball, soccer and pee-wee football. For more relaxed recreation, Rotary Centennial Pocket Park is a small urban green space on Main Street that hosts the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. “The Rotary Club and the Lions Club sponsor a lot of civic activities,” Brothers says. The Grand Prairie Center is a contemporary venue that hosts performing arts events. The private Stuttgart Country Club features an 18-hole, 6,700-yard course. Boaters and anglers can take advantage of the White River, which snakes its way through the Delta less than 20 miles away.
Boutique stores, restaurants in a charming downtown district
Main Street is the heart of a charming, walkable downtown district of boutique stores and eateries. Casual restaurants offering a variety of Southern homestyle and comfort food favorites are prominent downtown. A popular farmers market is held every Saturday morning from June through September. A more diverse collection of restaurants is concentrated on the south side of town near the Highway 79 commercial corridor. Larger retailers, including a Walmart Supercenter and a Belk department store, are located in this area.
City school district serves about 1,600 students
The community is home to four schools that make up the Stuttgart School District, which serves about 1,600 students and employs more than 200 staff members. It earns a C-plus from Niche. Stuttgart High, which earns a B from Niche, is the district’s top-rated school. Lutheran and Catholic schools in the community offer private options.
Hospital is a convenient amenity in a relatively isolated city
The community is relatively isolated, so driving is required for travel to local and regional destinations. Baptist Health Medical Center is conveniently located in the city. Southeast Arkansas Transportation caters to seniors and others who are unable to drive by providing trips with 48 hours’ notice. Fares are based on distance. Travel to Little Rock typically requires a drive of more than an hour, because there are no interstates in the area. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock is the closest facility offering commercial service.
Written By
Matt Pallister
