Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue declines, Fayetteville posts a gain

Sales tax revenue in the four largest cities in Benton and Washington counties was down more than 8% in the March report, marking three consecutive reporting months of lower revenue from a year ago. The March report was the largest percentage decline of the three months.

The cumulative sales tax revenue reported by Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale totaled $9.054 million in the March report, down 8.5% from a year ago. This followed a 2.9% drop reported in February and 2.27% decline in January.

Fayetteville was the only city among the four to report positive results in March. The city’s revenue totaled $2.537 million, up 5.07% from a year ago. That growth is the largest gain for Fayetteville thus far in 2026. For the first three months of the year, sales tax revenue for the city totals $8.507 million, up 1.3% from the same period in 2025. Fayetteville revenue has been offset by rebates of more than $895,000 in 2026.

Rogers, also a major retail center in the region, posted March revenue of $2.16 million, down 6.1% from a year ago. While the decline marked the second consecutive month for sagging revenue, it was better than the 20.33% drop reported in March 2025. For the first three months of this year, revenue totaled $7.848 million, down 1.97% from a year ago. Rogers also reports its revenue has been offset by rebates of roughly $400,000 thus far in 2026.

Springdale reported monthly revenue of $1.89 million, down 8.36% from $2.062 million reported a year ago. Springdale’s year-ago comparison was against a great month of 18% growth in 2025. The city would also have to go back to April 2024 to have a month with revenue in the $1.89 million range. It has been reporting more than $2 million each month since early 2025. For the first three months of this year, revenue totals $6.272 million, down 3.84% from a year ago. Tax rebates offset revenue by $675,000 so far in 2026.

Bentonville continues to experience growing pains and very large rebates relating to Walmart’s new corporate campus and other large projects around town. Rebates have already offset revenue by more than $1.728 million to start 2026. Large rebates in 2025 created a short-term hiring freeze by the city.

For the month, revenue totaled $2.466 million, down 20.88% from $3.117 million reported a year ago. Through the first three months of this year revenue is reported at $6.796 million, down 13.85% from a year ago.

SALES TAX REVENUE
January-March sales tax reports with percentage change.
Bentonville
2026: $6.796 million
2025: $7.889 million
down 13.85%

Fayetteville
2026: $8.507 million
2025: $8.392 million
up 1.3%

Rogers
2026: $7.848 million
2025: $8.006 million
down 1.97%

Springdale
2026: $6.272 million
2025: $6.523 million
down 3.84%