NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (KFSM)- The Northwest Arkansas region has reached a population milestone, surpassing 500,000 residents for the first time, according to the latest census figures.
Rob Smith of the Northwest Arkansas Council said a lot of the growth is driven by the job market.
"People come here seeking job opportunities," Smith said. "And, people who were already here have stayed. We are actually a really young population. A lot of millennials live here.”
Smith said job creation isn't the only thing keeping people around, and more people moving in; amenities are also a big factor.
“Whether that's Crystal Bridges, whether that's Arvest Ball Park, whether that is Walmart AMP, all of those things retain people and make it a better place to live,” Smith said.
Studies show that Northwest Arkansas is growing at almost 25 people-per-day. According to the Northwest Arkansas Council, the region is one of the top 20 fastest growing areas in the nation.