Qualify of Life Report Released to Northwest Arkansas

A quality of life assessment finds that the majority of Northwest Arkansas residents rate the region as an “excellent” place to live.

The 2008 Community Indicators Report was released by a coalition of the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation, the Jones Center for Families and the University of Arkansas Community and Family Institute.

The report, released Oct. 29, focuses on 10 indicators of the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas, including income levels, housing, families, education, health, public safety, aging, environment and civic engagement.

While the quality of life of the region gets a high rating overall, the report identifies areas that need improvement.

Environmental indicators in Northwest Arkansas show the growth of the area is beginning to have a significant impact on the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency, recently rated much of the western and northern section of Northwest Arkansas as having failing or near failing air quality based on federally accepted standards.

The report found that more than 70 percent of Northwest Arkansans drive to work alone, which has an impact on the roads and highways.

Health indicators show that prenatal health care in Northwest Arkansas is waning. In 2000, the rate of pregnant women not receiving prenatal services was lower than the state average. By 2003, all four counties — Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison — had higher than average rates of pregnant women not receiving prenatal care.

The report also finds that more affordable housing is needed for the area in addition to adequate shelter for the area’s increasing homeless population.