Bella Vista snags top spot for families in Arkansas
by January 20, 2013 12:25 am 122 views
The once sleepy retirement village of Bella Vista nestled in the scenic Ozark foothills was recently tagged the “Best Place to Raise Kids in Arkansas” by Bloomberg Businessweek.
Last month the publication evaluated more than 3,200 places nationwide with populations from 5,000 to 50,000 using such metrics as public school performance, housing costs, employment rates and safety.
Now an incorporated city of 25,581 residents, Bella Vista has a median family income of $68,552 and unemployment rate of 5.1%. Housing costs as a percentage of income are 16.1%. The schools which are part of the Bentonville, Pea Ridge and Gravette school districts also rank very high, according to the report published Dec. 21.
The Bloomberg report states “Bella Vista is no longer just for Grandma and Grandpa.”
Bella Vista has seven lakes, numerous golf courses, a tennis complex, swimming, parks and more than a dozen trails for biking or walking.
The report chose one city in each state for this year’s report. Springdale made the list two years ago.