2024 sales tax revenue moderates in top NWA cities

The four largest cities in Benton and Washington counties had different results in their annual sales tax revenue for 2024. Combined revenue in the full year of reports totaled $113.845 million, up only 0.33% from a year ago.

The cumulative sales tax revenue for the December report totaled $9.823 million, up 4.74% from the year-ago period. The numbers are skewed lower because Bentonville had tough year-over-year comparisons with big gains in 2023. Revenue growth also slowed in Fayetteville, while Rogers and Springdale posted gains.

Bentonville continues to see dramatic fluctuations in its month-to-month sales tax reports, partly because of large rebates that offset the total. For December, Bentonville reported sales tax revenue of $2.371 million, down 1.63% from the same month last year.

Mayor Stephenie Orman said Bentonville said 2023 sales tax revenue increased a whopping 26.56%, making for a tough comparison. She said the city is in strong fiscal shape heading into 2025. The last time Bentonville posted annual revenue declines was in 2019, down 6.49%, and following gains of 37.9% in 2018.

The story was different in Rogers, a regional retail center. Rogers reported December revenue of $2,599 million, up 9.28% from a year ago. For the year, revenue came in higher at $30.794 million, a gain of 6.02%. The gains were offset by $1.738 million in rebates through November. Mayor Greg Hines recently said in 2025 Rogers will focus on improving streets, boosting fire and police protection and enhancing parks. He said the city will budget conservatively to ensure there are sufficient reserves for emergency situations.

Fayetteville, the largest city by population when including University of Arkansas students, saw modest growth in 2024, but capped off the December report with revenue growth of 4.86% at $2.752 million. It was the second consecutive month of 4% or greater gains. The city reported total 2024 revenue at $32.198 million, up 1.34% from a year ago. The city saw annual gains of 6% in 2023 and 10.49% in 2022.

Springdale had sales tax revenue in the December report totaling $2.009 million, up 6.91% compared to the year-ago period. It was the second consecutive month for the city to report 6% or higher growth from the prior-year period. Springdale has been one of the more steady growing throughout the year, with just one month of declining revenue compared to the prior year. For the 12 months reported in 2024, Springdale had total revenue of $24.822 million, up 4.19% from 2023. Revenue last year rose 3.31%.

REGIONAL SALES TAX (January-December reports)
Bentonville
2024: $26.029 million
2023: $28.836 million
down 9.73%

Fayetteville
2024: $32.198 million
2023: $31.762 million
up 1.37%

Rogers
2024: $30.794 million
2023: $29.046  million
up 6.02%

Springdale
2024: $24.822 million
2023: $23.824 million
up 4.19%