Living in Fort Smith, AR offers a unique blend of history, culture, and Southern hospitality. Known as the place 'Where the New South Meets the Old West,' Fort Smith is rich in history and tradition. The city’s Fort Smith National Historic Site is a major attraction, providing a glimpse into the city’s role during the westward expansion of the United States.
Fort Smith’s downtown area is a vibrant hub of activity, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The annual Old Fort Days Rodeo is a highlight, bringing the community together for a week of rodeo events, parades, and family-friendly activities. The Fort Smith Museum of History and the Fort Smith Trolley Museum add to the city’s rich cultural offerings.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Fort Smith offers plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Creekmore Park and Ben Geren Regional Park, provide facilities for sports, picnics, and outdoor activities. The Arkansas River and the nearby Ozark National Forest offer scenic spots for hiking, fishing, and boating.
Fort Smith is also known for its strong sense of community and Southern hospitality. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Fest and the Peacemaker Music Festival. The local farmers market offers fresh produce and homemade goods, supporting the community’s agricultural roots.
For those considering a move to Arkansas, Fort Smith offers a blend of historical charm, cultural vibrancy, and outdoor beauty. Whether you're drawn by its rich history, community events, or natural surroundings, living in Fort Smith, AR provides a welcoming and fulfilling lifestyle.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Ratings
Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.
Fort Smith is a medium-sized city located in the state of Arkansas. The city has a population of 87,788 residents. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Fort Smith is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Fort Smith and in the areas around Fort Smith is a much easier task.
Fort Smith, AR receives 61/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #170 in Arkansas and #15,289 in the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Fort Smith scores well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A-) On a less positive note, Fort Smith does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Fort Smith excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Fort Smith. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Fort Smith are affordable. The median home price for Fort Smith homes is $132,800, which is 15.8% higher than the Arkansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Fort Smith, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 7.4% higher than the Arkansas average.
| Statistic | Fort Smith | Arkansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.9% | 82.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.9% | 10.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 1.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.7% | 3.2% | 4.6% |
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