Arkansas is a weird place. I mean that in the best way possible. You’ve got these massive, world-dominating corporations sitting in the middle of cow pastures, and then ten miles down the road, you’re in a town where the most exciting thing that happened all year was a local guy finding a particularly large quartz crystal.
If you are looking for a list of towns in Arkansas, you’re probably either planning a road trip or trying to figure out why everyone is suddenly moving to Northwest Arkansas. It isn't just Little Rock and "everything else." The state is split into these distinct personalities—the Ozarks, the Delta, the Timberlands—and the towns in each feel like they belong to different states entirely.
Let's just get into it. No fluff.
The Big Hitters: Where Everyone is Going
Honestly, if you haven’t looked at a map of Arkansas in ten years, you wouldn’t recognize the top left corner. Bentonville is the obvious heavy hitter here. It’s the home of Walmart, sure, but it feels more like a mini-Austin or a clean version of Portland these days. You’ve got Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which is basically a billion-dollar glass and wood marvel tucked into a ravine. The population is pushing toward 60,000, and it’s growing so fast the construction cranes are practically the state bird.
Right next door is Fayetteville. It’s the classic college town. Home of the University of Arkansas. If you go there on a Saturday in the fall, just wear red and stay out of the way of the Razorback fans. It’s got a bit more soul than Bentonville—Dickson Street is great for a drink, and the historic square is legit.
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Then there’s Little Rock. It’s the capital. It’s the center of the state. It’s got about 204,000 people and some of the best food in the South. Most people just see the skyline from I-40, but if you actually get off the highway, neighborhoods like Hillcrest and the Heights have these old, leafy streets and bungalows that feel very "old money" but in a relaxed, Southern way.
The Weird and Wonderful Small Towns
This is where the real list of towns in Arkansas gets interesting. If you want character, you go to Eureka Springs.
Imagine a town built on the side of a mountain where no two streets intersect at a 90-degree angle. Seriously. It’s all winding limestone walls, Victorian houses painted bright colors, and "haunted" hotels like the Crescent Hotel. It was originally a spa town in the late 1800s because people thought the springs had healing powers. Now, it’s a mix of artists, bikers, and retirees. It is the most "un-Arkansas" town in Arkansas.
Other Small Towns That Matter
- Mountain View: This is the "Folk Music Capital of the World." You can literally walk onto the courthouse square on a Friday night and find people sitting in lawn chairs playing banjos and fiddles. It isn’t a show for tourists; it’s just what they do.
- Jasper: If you like the outdoors, Jasper is the gateway to the Buffalo National River. It’s tiny. Like, "don't blink or you'll miss the gas station" tiny. But the view from the "Arkansas Grand Canyon" just south of town is one of the best in the state.
- Hot Springs: It’s technically a city, but it feels like a town. It’s the only city in America located inside a National Park. You can walk down Bathhouse Row and see these incredible 1920s structures where gangsters like Al Capone used to hang out to dodge the feds.
The Delta: A Different World
The eastern part of the state—the Delta—is flat. Like, pancake flat. This is where the cotton and rice grow. Towns like Helena-West Helena are deeply historic but have struggled. However, if you like the Blues, the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena is legendary.
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Then you have Stuttgart. If you are a duck hunter, this is your Mecca. It’s the "Rice and Duck Capital of the World." During hunting season, the population basically doubles, and the local stores are full of camouflage everything.
Growth and the "Walmart Effect"
It’s worth mentioning that the growth in the list of towns in Arkansas is totally lopsided. While the Northwest (Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale) is exploding, some towns in the south and east are actually shrinking.
According to recent 2024 and 2025 census estimates, Bentonville grew by nearly 10% in just a few years. Meanwhile, places like Phillips County in the Delta have seen double-digit declines. It’s a tale of two states. One is tech-heavy and booming; the other is agricultural and fighting to keep its young people from moving away.
Quick Reference: Arkansas Towns by "Vibe"
If you’re trying to pick where to visit or live, use this mental map:
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- The Corporate/Active Vibe: Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale. (Mountain bikes, coffee shops, corporate offices).
- The Artsy/Quirky Vibe: Eureka Springs, Fayetteville. (Live music, art galleries, steep hills).
- The Outdoorsy/Rugged Vibe: Jasper, Mountain Home, Harrison. (Fishing, hiking, river floating).
- The Historic/Political Vibe: Little Rock, Hot Springs, Conway. (Museums, old architecture, government).
What People Get Wrong About Arkansas Towns
People think the whole state is just "the Ozarks." It’s not.
South Arkansas is basically North Louisiana. It’s all pine trees and oil money. El Dorado is a great example—it used to be an old oil boomtown, and they’ve spent a fortune revitalizing the downtown into a massive Murphy Arts District. It’s got a sleek, modern feel that you wouldn’t expect in a town of 17,000 people.
And then there's Siloam Springs. It often gets overshadowed by Fayetteville, but it’s got one of the prettiest downtowns in the region, with Sager Creek running right through the middle of it.
Actionable Tips for Exploring Arkansas Towns:
- Check the Calendar: If you go to Stuttgart in late November, it’s all about ducks. If you go to Mountain View in April, it’s the Folk Festival. Timing matters.
- Avoid the Interstates: To actually see these towns, you have to get on Scenic Highway 7 or Highway 62. The interstates (I-40 and I-30) are mostly just gas stations and chain hotels.
- Prepare for "Dry" Counties: Arkansas still has a lot of dry counties where you can’t buy alcohol in stores. Jasper (Newton County) is a big one. Plan accordingly if you want a beer after your hike.
- Drive the Pig Trail: If you’re heading to Fayetteville from the south, take Highway 23 (The Pig Trail). It’s narrow, winding, and incredibly beautiful, especially in the fall.
The list of towns in Arkansas is long—over 600 incorporated places—but the ones that define the state are the ones that lean into their history. Whether it's a former spa town, an oil hub, or a corporate powerhouse, there's usually a story there if you bother to stop the car.
To make the most of your trip, pick a region rather than trying to cross the whole state. Start with the Ozark mountains in the northwest for scenery and food, or head to the Ouachitas in the west-central area for lakes and quartz digging. For those looking to relocate, the "Big Four" in the northwest—Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, and Springdale—offer the most job stability and infrastructure.