Arkansas’s economic landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent decades, fueled by the establishment of major corporate headquarters like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt. This influx of businesses has spurred significant socio-economic changes, particularly in commuter towns adjacent to these corporate giants, which now rank among the wealthiest in the state. This growth has driven a surge in home values, making Arkansas an interesting case study in the evolving dynamics of wealth and real estate across the United States.
A detailed analysis of Arkansas ZIP codes, using Zillow’s Home Value Index and data from the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey, reveals the areas experiencing the most significant appreciation in home values. The study considered both the latest monthly home values (November 2024) and the average median home values over a 12-month period (December 2023 to November 2024), providing a comprehensive overview of market trends. This data illuminates the financial realities of Arkansas’s most affluent communities.
The top five most expensive ZIP codes in Arkansas highlight the impact of corporate growth and the broader housing market trends in the South. Cave Springs (72718), the most expensive ZIP code, benefits from its proximity to a cluster of thriving cities, including Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville, a region known as a significant business hub. This area has experienced a remarkable 67.6% increase in median home values over the past five years, pushing the median home value to over $520,000. High incomes in this area, with a median household income exceeding $140,000, generally keep pace with these rising home prices.
Bentonville (72712), home to Walmart’s headquarters, claims the second spot on the list. This ZIP code has seen an even more dramatic surge in home values, with an 84.2% increase over the past five years, reaching a median home value near $471,000. Remarkably, the average household income of $155,757 maintains a relatively healthy ratio to the median home value, a stark contrast to many other high-value housing markets across the country.
Western Little Rock (72223), the third most expensive ZIP code, offers a blend of residential communities, cultural attractions like Wildwood Park for the Arts, and a slightly slower pace of home value appreciation compared to the top two. While still substantial, the 32.5% increase over five years resulted in a median home value of $459,548. This ZIP code exhibits a significant disparity between median and average household incomes, with the latter exceeding $160,000, indicating a concentration of higher-earning households.
Another section of Bentonville (72713) ranks fourth, mirroring the rapid growth observed in its neighboring ZIP code. A 71.3% increase in median home values over five years brings the median to $457,216. Similar to 72712, the income levels in this area, with a median household income of $117,752 and an average exceeding $146,000, provide a greater level of affordability compared to other high-cost markets across the US where home values significantly outpace income growth.
Garfield (72732), featuring the attractive Beaver Lake, rounds out the top five. While still experiencing substantial home value appreciation of 80.8% over five years, reaching over $411,000, this ZIP code’s lower income levels, with a median household income of $68,548, present a greater challenge in terms of housing affordability. The rapid rise in home prices has outstripped income growth, a trend observed in many areas across the Southern United States.
The significant appreciation experienced in these Arkansas ZIP codes reflects the state’s economic growth and the broader trend of rising home values in the South. This dynamic creates a complex interplay between economic opportunity, housing affordability, and the evolving socio-economic fabric of communities. The data reveals a narrative of both prosperity and challenges, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of the impact of economic growth on housing markets and the lives of residents.
