BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A new survey by the Walton Family Foundation reveals that Northwest Arkansas residents report high ratings in their "overall quality of life."
"It's a beautiful area.," Franchesca Brownhanney, a student at the University of Arkansas said. "There's so much life here and energy and it's a very creative space to be at. I've seen a lot of small businesses come into Fayetteville, into Bentonville. A lot of sports and recreational places."
Despite the positive results, survey records show that residents were more satisfied with their lives in 2015 and 2018. The survey also shows that "affordability and infrastructure challenges" negatively affect residents' access to "key resources and quality of life."
“It's very difficult for people to find an affordable place to live," Bryan Keller, a Fayetteville resident said.
Robert Burns, director of the Walton Family Foundation Home Region Program, said there is still work to do.
"Especially after recent storms, the survey responses are invaluable in helping us, and the region, understand community needs,” said Burns.
Here's what Northwest Arkansas residents were happy with in 2024:
- Overall quality of life: 64% of residents rated their quality of life as "excellent" or "very good."
- Cultural amenities: 64% rated local amenities as "excellent" or "very good."
- Community support: 74% said they "feel hopeful about the community's future and expect to be part of it for a long time."
"I've lived here my whole life, brought up here in South Fayetteville, really close to the downtown community, and I really loved living here," Zola Starr-O'Berski said. "There's such a strong community, especially just downtown, anywhere you walk, I always see someone I know, see someone my parents grew up with, and I just feel very supported."
The survey showed residents would like to see improvement in the following areas:
- Cost of living
- Political climate
- Transportation
- Housing
- State of the economy
"I’ve always thought that I would live here for a really long time and grow up here like my family has, but more and more, I'm feeling like I need to move somewhere where I can work a basic job and go to school and still afford my rent," Starr-O'Berkski said.
Burns said the survey concluded that residents appreciate the local amenities but "are less happy with the physical infrastructure."
According to the WFF, this survey was designed to help understand residents' lives.
"These responses help assess progress and inform future direction in three strategic areas: economic and cultural stability, inclusive growth and sense of belonging and community leadership and capacity building," said WFF.
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