City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Bella Vista, AR

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bella Vista - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

30,935
Residents
$85,932
Median income
$262,400
Median home
$1,347
Median rent (state)

Bella Vista - the verdict

Bella Vista ranks in the 67th percentile for household income and the 77th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

67th
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
77th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bella Vista, AR

Bella Vista is a small city in Arkansas, home to 30,935 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Bella Vista households earn a median of $85,932 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.9%. Home values in Bella Vista run a median of $262,400, and the median resident age is 51.5 years. Educational attainment runs 37.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 50.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 637 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 129% from five years earlier. Bella Vista reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 691.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Arkansas run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Arkansas at 86.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,347 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Arkansas run around $210, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 88.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

30,935 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$85,932 /yr

Poverty 1.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Bella Vista compare to other US cities?

Where Bella Vista sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 77% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Arkansas and the picture shifts: Bella Vista ranks #19 of 160 Arkansas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bella Vista against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Arkansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Arkansas-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Bella Vista's strongest outlier among Arkansas cities

Among the 482 Arkansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Bella Vista ranks #19 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bella Vista only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#35 of 495
93rd percentile in Arkansas
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 524
92nd percentile in Arkansas
Median Home Value
#19 of 482
96th percentile in Arkansas
Poverty Rate
#453 of 524
13th percentile in Arkansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#19 of 524
96th percentile in Arkansas

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Arkansas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

67thIncome percentile
77thSafety percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income · 77th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bella Vista's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bella Vista's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 63 Avg. percentile National median
Bella Vista's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bella Vista's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$262,400 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bella Vista $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bella Vista, AR Bella Vista, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bella Vista, AR-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bella Vista, AR median $85,932/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bella Vista, AR's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bella Vista, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
30,935
Median Income
$85,932
Median Home Value
$262,400
Median Age
51.5
Poverty Rate
1.9%
Labor force participation
50.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
691.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
202.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
489.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
28,000 residents30,000 residents32,000 residents34,000 residents36,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 30,221 residents 34,518 residents ▲ +14.2%
Bella Vista's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
637
housing units authorized
Single-Family
637
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
20.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 278
2020 416
2021 584
2022 539
2023 497
2024 637

Permit volume increased 129% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.4%
Carpool
8.5%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
0.3%
Work from Home
17.6%
Other
1.0%

Based on 13,003 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Arkansas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$210
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Arkansas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Arkansas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bella Vista sits in

Cost of Living Index
86.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,347/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Paragould
29,940 people
Texarkana
29,343 people
Jacksonville
29,285 people
Russellville
29,057 people
Sherwood
32,915 people
Cabot
26,733 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bella Vista's 30,935 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Laguna Hills, CA
30,921 people
Springfield, VA
30,894 people
Morristown, TN
30,983 people
Northport, AL
30,991 people
Hopkinsville, KY
31,011 people
North Royalton, OH
31,013 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bella Vista's $85,932 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Carrboro, NC
$85,927 median income
Holcomb, KS
$85,938 median income
New London, NH
$85,938 median income
Plain, WI
$85,938 median income
Coalville, UT
$85,921 median income
Rush Valley, UT
$85,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bella Vista, AR Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bella Vista, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.2% 11.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.0% White 85.2% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 1.0% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 11.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bella Vista compares to nearby Arkansas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bella Vista (this city) 30,935 $85,932
Paragould 29,940 $56,181
Texarkana 29,343 $47,930
Jacksonville 29,285 $46,947
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bella Vista, AR?

What is the population of Bella Vista, AR? +

The population of Bella Vista, AR stands at 30,935 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bella Vista, AR? +

Bella Vista households earn a median of $85,932 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bella Vista? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bella Vista; the closest available measure is the Arkansas state average, a cost of living index of 86.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Arkansas vary by metro area.

Is Bella Vista, AR safe? +

Bella Vista has a total crime rate of 691.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bella Vista, AR? +

A typical home in Bella Vista is worth $262,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.