Revved Up in Benton County

Is Benton County the unofficial Motorcycle Capital of Arkansas? Bikes, Blues & BBQ not withstanding, it seems so to Whispers.

According to the latest census data, Pulaski County is, of course, the most populated county in the state with headcount of 382,748. Benton County ranks second in population, with a total of 221,339.

And so looking at the state’s most recent motor vehicle registration figures from the Department of Finance and Administration, it’s easily explained why Pulaski County has a lot more registered automobiles, pickup trucks, mobile homes than every other county in the state.

Benton County is No. 2 among the state’s 75 counties in the major categories, according to the DFA data, but well back of Pulaski County in most categories. For example, the difference between the two counties in registered automobiles and total passenger vehicles is almost doubled.

One category, though, made us pause. Pulaski County has 7,299 motorcycles registered. Benton County has 7,109.

How to explain that one? Whispers has a few ideas. Maybe it’s all of those six-figure executives living in Benton County. What’s that they say about boys and their toys?

Or maybe it’s the retired segment — likely the “just” retired — of the population in Bella Vista, channeling their inner Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda.