Bella Vista city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Bella Vista city is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas. The total population is 30,935. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bella Vista city is 51.5 years. This is 34% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. 14.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bella Vista city is $85,932. This is 46% higher than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% higher. The poverty rate stands at 3.5%. This is 78% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $262,400. Housing costs are 50% higher than the state median of $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 88.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Bella Vista city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 14.8%.

Education

37.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bella Vista city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bella Vista city, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 617 Census-designated places in Arkansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.