Northwest Arkansas' population on track for a million by 2050
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Northwest Arkansas probably didn't figure into Jimi Hendrix's mind when he released "Crosstown Traffic" in 1968. The area's population was less than 60,000 at the time.
The big picture: More than 1 million people will be in NWA by 2050 if projections stay true, a steep spike from the estimated 572,000 people living here now.
- The estimate comes from the Arkansas Economic Development Institute at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, based on the latest U.S. census data.
Why it matters: The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC) uses population estimates to guide its ever-evolving infrastructure and transportation blueprint for the area.
By the numbers: NWA's overall population rose 7.4% from 2020-2023, while the entire nation's only grew 1%.
- Benton County's population grew 8.5% and Washington County's by 6% during that time.
- Madison County, which shares an eastern border with both, increased population by 7.4%.
What they're saying: High housing prices are the biggest risk factor tied to Northwest Arkansas' continued growth, Mervin Jebaraj of the UA's Center for Business & Economic Research, told the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette recently.
Between the lines: "We want to make sure that we have completely connected communities that are able to get [people] to school and to work," Tim Conklin, executive director of NWARPC told Axios.
- He wouldn't promise the team could reduce crosstown traffic.
The bottom line: To implement major infrastructure projects, you have to have a plan in place, and many take decades.
- "You know, we're all excited about April 17," Conklin said. "You know why? We all go out to XNA and do the groundbreaking for the airport access route."
- The route's been in the public conversation for at least 20 years.