MADISON COUNTY, Ark. — Over the Summer, Arkansas property owners received letters from their county assessors. It showed that property values increased across the state.
While Benton County officials previously talked to 5NEWS about their increase, it wasn't the county with the highest climb. That title belongs to Madison County.
Madison County Assessor Christal Ogden stated that the county's value went up 75%. She attributes the increase to growth in the region. She said the county saw almost $72,000,000 in new constructions.
"A lot of new people are moving in from all over. Pretty much a lot of the West Coast has moved in from like maybe California," Ogden said.
One of the new faces around town also opened up a new place on Huntsville's Polk Square. MakeIt.Place is owned by Cynthia Thayer who previously worked as an executive in advertising. It connected her to Walmart, Sam's Club, and their vendors. Living in the big city of Chicago but visiting Northwest Arkansas for business, the Natural State became home when Chicago's violence pushed her out.
"I like to say that we didn't choose Huntsville, like Huntsville kind of chose us, brought us here because it was just the perfect house. And then when we saw this community, we just fell in love with it," Thayer said.
Ogden said many moving to the western part of the county are still working in Benton and Washington counties, bringing with them the prices.
"We're competing with even big towns, you know, cities, it's like, you know, the same prices there as it is here," Ogden said.
The Evans family also just opened their business in their city main strip. Ike's Place is a cafe they've opened in one of the city's oldest buildings. They claim to make up the outdated Hindsville population of 75, having lived in the county for generations. Even in one of the county's most western cities, they say rising prices are part of growing.
"It's just part of the economy growing, I feel like, and they, you know, all the old timers, all the old timers went through it, you know. And that's just, you know, what we got to do. Just got to work through it and hope for the best," Savanah Evans said.
"No matter how big it grows, I just hope it stays that hometown feel," Amanda Evans added.
The Evans' say their family had lived through the building of 412 and saw the growth it brought along with it. They're positive about a growing future with businesses and people moving into their county.
Ogden said the higher values also mean an increase in taxes for property owners. She explained that would also increase the budget for the county.
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