10 Safest Places to Live in Arkansas
- Elkins
- Bella Vista
- Prairie Grove
- Centerton
- Maumelle
- Cabot
- Batesville
- Siloam Springs
- Magnolia
- Sherwood
1. Elkins
The safest place to live in Arkansas is Elkins. Surrounded by rolling hills and countryside sits the small town of Elkins. With a population of 9,516, Elkins has a crime rate that is 73% lower than the national average. Elkins is close to the larger city of Fayetteville while being a short drive from the Ozark Mountains. A popular local destination is Bell Park, which offers playgrounds, tennis courts, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Other points of interest include the Historic Greenwood area, which is home sites including the Coal Miners Memorial and the Old Jail Museum.
2. Bella Vista
Bella Vista is another one of the safest cities in Arkansas. Bella Vista is a summer resort town that has undergone rapid changes in recent years. This small city of 30,104 has a total crime rate that is 67% below the national average. Bella Vista offers tranquility and scenic landscapes filled with lakes, rocky falls, and rolling golf courses. The Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel is a popular local site, a wooden church built seamlessly into the local foliage. Located on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Mountains, Bella Vista is near some of the best nature retreats in the state.
3. Prairie Grove
Prairie Grove is also one of the safest towns in Arkansas. This small town in Washington County in the northwestern region of Arkansas. With a population of 7,045, Prairie Grove has a total crime rate that is 55% below the national average. Prairie Grove has many arts and culture, like the annual Clothesline Fair, celebrating local artists and square dancing. The most well-known attractions in Prairie Grove include the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park and the Telephone Booth, which is a working 1960s phone booth in the park.
4. Centerton
Another one of the safest cities in Arkansas is Centerton. This city is located within the northwestern Ozark Region in Benton County. The city's population is 16,244, with a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Being near the Ozarks, Centerton is a short drive from various outdoor activities. The town's local economy is based heavily upon agriculture and poultry, with other major employers such as Tyson Foods, Walmart, and the University of Arkansas.
5. Maumelle
Maumelle is a safe Arkansas city located northwest of Little Rock in Pulaski County. With a population of 19,251, Maumelle has a total crime rate that is 27% below the national average. Maumelle is a relatively new town that was founded as a planned community in 1974. Popular attractions include recreational lakes, parkland, bicycle trails, wooden bridges, and the Big Dam Bridge.
6. Cabot
Cabot is also one of the safest cities in Arkansas. It is located in Lonoke County, which has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Cabot has a population of 26,569 and a crime rate that is 17% below the national average. Being a suburb of Little Rock, Cabot is considered a commuter town of the larger city. Cabot hosts the annual "Cabotfest" in October, showcasing locally grown produce. The median home price in Cabot is $227,737.
7. Batesville
Batesville is the county seat of Independence County and is located 80 miles northwest of Little Rock. The town's population is 10,268, and the local violent crime rate is 15% below the national average, making it one of the safest places to live in Arkansas. Batesville has plenty of southern charm downtown, with plenty of great boutiques, restaurants, and breweries. The area is surrounded by rolling countryside with plenty of rivers and hiking along the nearby Ozarks. Other popular attractions include the Cook-Morrow House and the Ozark Foothills Film Festival.
8. Siloam Springs
Also located near the Ozarks, Siloam Springs is a quiet, safe, laid-back small town in Benton County. Out of a population of 17,287, Siloam Springs has a total crime rate that is slightly above the national average but average for Arkansas. Siloam Springs is located along the Oklahoma border, partly located within the Cherokee Nation territory. John Brown University is also located within the town. The median home price in Siloam Springs is $264,992.
9. Magnolia
Magnolia is a city in Columbia County in southern Arkansas. The town has a population of 11,577, and the local crime rate is on par with the state average, making it one of the safest places to live in Arkansas. Magnolia is home to the World's Largest Charcoal and grill and hosts the World Championship Steak Cookoff, which is part of the Magnolia Blossom Festival. Much of the local economy is based around the nearby Southern Arkansas University, with steel and aluminum production being important as well.
10. Sherwood
Sherwood is a safe Arkansas suburb of 32,731 people located just outside of Little Rock. Sherwood's population has steadily grown in recent years due to the area's low home prices. Much of the area is gentrifying, with many new homes being built and renovated. Many of Sherwood's residents are commuters, but major employers in the area include customer contact centers and corporate headquarters. Sherwood also has access to over a dozen parks within the city.