Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
City
Downtown Fayetteville University of Arkansas Walton Arts Center Wilson Park Razorback Stadium
Flag Seal
Nicknames: "Track Capital of the World", [1]"The Hill", [2]"Athens of the Ozarks"
Motto: Regnat Populus(the people rule)
Location of Fayetteville in Washington County, Arkansas.
Fayetteville Location within Arkansas Show map of Arkansas Fayetteville Location within the contiguous United States of America Show map of the United States
Coordinates:36°03′45″N94°09′27″W / 36.06250°N 94.15750°W /36.06250; -94.15750[3]
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Washington
Township	Fayetteville
Founded	1828
Incorporated	1836
Rechartered	1867
Named for	Fayetteville, TennesseeGilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
•Mayor	Lioneld Jordan[4]
•Council	Members Robert Stafford D’Andre Jones Sarah Moore Mike Wiederkehr Scott Berna Sarah Bunch Teresa Turk Holly Hertzberg
Area [5]
•City	55.80 sq mi (144.53 km2)
• Land	54.42 sq mi (140.96 km2)
• Water	1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2)
Elevation [3]	1,378 ft (420 m)
Population (2020)
•City	93,949
• Estimate (2023)	101,680[6]
• Rank	2ndin Arkansas
• Density	1,726.21/sq mi (666.49/km2)
•Urban	373,687 (US:111th)
• Urban density	1,884.7/sq mi (727.7/km2)
•Metro	576,403 (US:98th)
Demonym	Fayettevillian
Time zone	UTC−6(Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5(Central)
ZIP codes	72701–72704
Area code	479
FIPS code	05-23290
GNISfeature ID	2403601[3]
Major airport	Northwest Arkansas National Airport(XNA)
Rapid transit	Ozark Regional Transit
Website	City of Fayetteville

Fayetteville(/ˈfeɪətvɪl/)^[7]is thesecond-most populous cityin theU.S. stateofArkansas, thecounty seatofWashington County, and the most populous city inNorthwest Arkansas. The city had a population of 93,949 as of the2020 census, which was estimated to have increased to 101,680 by 2023.^[8]The city is on the outskirts of theBoston Mountains, deep within theOzarks. It was named afterFayetteville, Tennessee, from which many settlers had come, and was incorporated on November 3, 1836. Fayetteville is included in the three-county Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogersmetropolitan statistical area, with 576,403 residents in 2020.

Fayetteville is home to theUniversity of Arkansas, the state's flagship university.^[9]When classes are in session, thousands of students oncampuschange up the pace of the city. Thousands ofArkansas Razorbacksalumni and fans travel to Fayetteville to attendfootball,basketball, andbaseballgames. The city of Fayetteville is colloquially known as the "Track Capital of the World" due to the success and prestige of the University of Arkansas cross country and track & field programs.^[10][11][12]

The city is the first in America to be awarded the designation of "Bike City" by theUnion Cycliste Internationale(UCI), the world governing body of cycling.^[13]It was given the title in 2021 due to it not only hosting major UCI cycling events, but also its work in developing cycling through programs and infrastructure. The city hosts theWalmartshareholders meetings each year atBud Walton Arena.

In 1828, George McGarrah settled at Big Spring with his family on the modern day corner of Spring and Willow, founding the town of Washington, and starting work on the courthouse. On October 17, Washington County was established, Washington chosen as the county seat. The Washington Courthouse was finished in 1829, and also contained the post office. Later in the year Postmaster Larkin Newton changed the name to the Fayetteville Courthouse, to avoid confusing withWashington,Hempstead County.^[14][15]Two councilmen selected to name the city were fromFayetteville, Tennessee, which was itself named forFayetteville,North Carolina(where some of its earliest residents had lived before moving to Tennessee). That original Fayetteville was named forGeneral Lafayette, aFrenchgeneral who helped the colonies gain independence in theAmerican Revolutionary War.

The first store in Fayetteville was opened by John Nye in a small building constructed by James Holmsley. In 1832 David Walker, Chief Justice of the Arkansas supreme court, built a double log cabin on what is now Center Street. In 1822Archibald Yell, the second Governor of Arkansas, built a house and called it "Waxhaw" after his home inNorth Carolina. This was on the outskirts of town then but now is a street named after him that connects College and School streets. The first hotels were the Burnside House and the Onstott House. Fayetteville was incorporated as a town on November 3, 1836.

In 1859, a city charter was obtained from the Legislature. During the Civil War the municipal government was suspended and was not reinstated until 1867. P.V. Rhea was the president of the town trustees in 1836; J.W. Walker was the first mayor under the charter of 1859, and M.L. Harrison was the first mayor when the government was reorganized in 1867. Thetelegraphcame to Fayetteville in 1860, strung along theMilitary RoadfromSt. Louis, Missouri, toLittle Rock.^[16]

During theAmerican Civil War, the Union GeneralSamuel Ryan Curtisoccupied Fayetteville on February 18, 1862,^[17]and the following week, theBattle of Pea Ridgetook place northeast of Fayetteville. The city housed wounded soldiers from theBattle of Prairie Grovein December 1862, and housed injured troops onDickson Street.^[18]Confederate troopsbesieged Union soldiers in Fayettevilleon April 18, 1863, at the present-day intersection of College Avenue (U.S. Route 71B) and Dickson Street, and at their headquarters.^[16]Union soldiers held the city against cannon fire and cavalry attacks, although their headquarters sustained damage.^[19]The building was restored and is operated as theHeadquarters House, a museum of the Washington County Historical Society.^[20]Fayetteville was occupied from December 1862 until May 1865 (except May–September 1863) by the First Arkansas Union Cavalry, a regiment of Union men from Northwest Arkansas.^[21]Union forces repelled a Confederate attack in October 1864. After the war, the United States government established theFayetteville National Cemeteryin 1867. A cemetery forConfederate deadwas founded in 1873.

Newspapers were established early; in 1859,Elias Cornelius Boudinot, a young half-Cherokeeattorney, and James Pettigrew foundedThe Arkansan.TheFayetteville Weekly Democratbegan publishing in 1868. It later developed as theNorthwest Arkansas Times, and is still in print today. TheFayetteville Schools Districtwas founded on March 20, 1871, as the first independent school district in Arkansas. The public school system was established by theReconstruction eralegislature; before the war, all education was private. Arkansas had struggled witha state banking crisis, resulting in the illegality of banking until 1868. Following the reinstatement, the Stark Bank became the first bank in the state in 1872, becoming the William McIlroy Bank four years later. This institution remains today asArvest Bank.

In 1954, a few days afterCharleston, Fayetteville was the second school district in the southern United States to implement school integration in response toBrown v. Board of Education.^[22][23][24]

Fayetteville is located in theBoston Mountains, a subset ofThe Ozarkswhich runs through Northwest Arkansas, southernMissouri, andEastern Oklahoma.^[26]The rocks of the Boston Mountains were formed whensandstonesandshaleswere deposited on top of the Springfield Plateau during thePennsylvanianPeriod. In the Fayetteville area, following uplift during theOuachita orogeny, the sediments were eroded to expose theMississippianlimestoneformations of the Springfield Plateau, while south of Fayetteville the remaining deeply eroded Pennsylvanian sediments form the steep Boston Mountains.

Fayetteville is also the namesake of theFayetteville Shale, ageologicalformationwhich has recently become an epicenter for natural gas extraction byhydraulic fracturing.^[27]

According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55.2 square miles (143 km²), of which, 53.8 square miles (139 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (2.59%) is water. The city is centrally located inWashington County, Arkansas, alongInterstate 49/US Route 71.^[28]This is the onlyfully controlled accessroute through the area, which replaced the winding US 71 (nowUS 71B) in the 1990s.^[29]An interstate connection withFort Smithto the south andKansas City, Missouri, to the north has contributed to Fayetteville's growth. Within Washington County, Fayetteville is bordered along the north bySpringdaleandJohnson. At times, this transition is seamlessly urban. Fayetteville is not bordered to its south, instead opening up to scenic country along theBoston Mountains Scenic Loop.^[30]Past the rural communities ofGreenlandandWest ForkisDevil's Den State Park.^[29]To the west isFarmingtonalongUS Route 62and to the east is undeveloped land in rural Washington County.^[29]

TheFayetteville–Springdale–Rogers Metropolitan Areaconsists of threeArkansas counties:Benton,Madison, andWashington.^[31]The area had a population of 463,205 at the2010 censuswhich had increased to 546,725 by the2020 Census(an increase of 24.2 per cent). Although the Metropolitan Statistical Area does not consist of the usual principal-city-with-suburbsgeography, Fayetteville's adjacent communities includeElkins,Farmington,Greenland,Habberton,Johnson, andWyman.

Fayetteville is entirely contained withinFayetteville Township, as the township and city have identical boundaries. Although Arkansas generally does not use itscivil townshipsfor any governmental purpose, they are used for voting boundaries in some places.

Generally the part of Fayetteville west of I-49/US 71 is called west Fayetteville. Another prominent district is Uptown Fayetteville, which encompasses the scores of business and new homes near theNorthwest Arkansas Mallin north Fayetteville. TheUniversity of Arkansasdefines its own part of Fayetteville, with dozens of student apartments and restaurants located nearcampus. The University's impact is also apparent alongCollege Avenue, which contains hundreds of shops and restaurants. Northeast of campus are theWilson Park Historic Districtand theMount Nord Historic District. TheFayetteville Historic Squareis the original city center of Fayetteville, andDickson Streetis the best-known entertainment district in Arkansas. Homes atop Mount Sequoyah in the eastern part of the city encircle Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center. Old structures are also located along the formerButterfield Overland Mailroute, a stagecoach route toSan Francisco, California, now known asOld Wire Road.Fifteenth Streetforms the southernmost residential district of Fayetteville, with the Fayetteville Industrial Park to its east.

Fayetteville has annexed sixunincorporated communitieswithin its current corporate limits. Four of them are still listed as "populated places" by theUSGSBoard on Geographic Names. The other 2 are listed as "historical populated places." Annexations since 1870 are displayed on Fayetteville's website in the interactive maps section.^[32]Fayetteville's second annexations took place in 1946 when it incorporatedFayette JunctionandMcNairinto the city.^[32][33]Baldwinwas added the following year, withBarbaraandRuckers Grovebeing annexed in 1967. Fayetteville's most recent annexation occurred in 1982 whenWhite Rockwas added to the city limits.

Fayetteville has ahumid subtropical climate(KöppenCfa). Fayetteville experiences all four seasons and does receive cold air masses from the north; however, some of the Arctic masses are blocked by the higher elevations of the Ozarks.

July is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 88.7 °F (31.5 °C) and an average low of 69.4 °F (20.8 °C).^[34]Temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) are rare but do occur, on average, 3 times a year.^[34]January is the coldest month with an average high of 46.5 °F (8.1 °C) and an average low of 26.9 °F (−2.8 °C).^[34]Highs below 32 °F (0 °C) occur on average 10.4 times a year, with 0.6 nights per year dropping below 0 °F (−18 °C).^[34]The city's highest temperature was 111 °F (43.9 °C), recorded on July 14, 1954. The lowest temperature recorded was −24 °F (−31 °C), on February 12, 1899.^[35]

Precipitation is weakly seasonal, with a bimodal pattern: wet seasons in the spring and fall, and relatively drier summers and winters, but some rain in all months. The spring wet season is more pronounced than fall, with the highest rainfall in May. This differs slightly from the climate in central Arkansas, where the fall wet season is more comparable to spring.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	425		—
1850	598		40.7%
1860	972		62.5%
1870	955		−1.7%
1880	1,788		87.2%
1890	2,942		64.5%
1900	4,061		38.0%
1910	4,471		10.1%
1920	5,362		19.9%
1930	7,394		37.9%
1940	8,212		11.1%
1950	17,071		107.9%
1960	20,274		18.8%
1970	30,729		51.6%
1980	36,608		19.1%
1990	42,099		15.0%
2000	58,047		37.9%
2010	73,580		26.8%
2020	93,949		27.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[37]

Historical Racial composition	2010[38][39]	2000[38][40]	1990[41]	1980[42][43]	1970[44]
White	83.8%	86.5%	93.92%	93.13%	97.46%
—Non-Hispanic	80.7%	84.1%	93.19%	92.24%	—[a]
Black or African American	6.0%	5.1%	3.18%	3.75%[b]	1.94%
Hispanic or Latino(of any race)	6.42%	4.9%	1.10%	1.46%	—[a]
Asian	3.08%	3.1%	1.50%	1.56%	—[a]
Other race or multiracial	5.86%	4.38%	0.34%	0.42%	0.61%

Fayetteville is the second most populated city in Arkansas.^[46]In the 2010 census, Fayetteville had a population of 73,580 and grew by 26.8 percent from the year 2000.^[47]

Fayetteville city, Arkansas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000[48]	Pop 2010[49]	Pop 2020[50]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
Whitealone (NH)	48,769	59,398	69,228	84.02%	80.73%	73.69%
Black or African Americanalone (NH)	2,930	4,301	5,956	5.05%	5.85%	6.34%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH)	685	734	872	1.18%	1.00%	0.93%
Asianalone (NH)	1,473	2,255	2,987	2.54%	3.06%	3.18%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH)	88	155	469	0.15%	0.21%	0.50%
Other racealone (NH)	59	90	348	0.10%	0.12%	0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial(NH)	1,222	1,922	6,007	2.11%	2.61%	6.39%
Hispanic or Latino(any race)	2,821	4,725	8,082	4.86%	6.42%	8.60%
Total	58,047	73,580	93,949	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the2020 United States census, there were 93,949 people, 36,705 households, and 16,703 families residing in the city.

As of thecensusof 2010, there were 73,580 people, 33,661 households, and 14,574 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,333.0 inhabitants per square mile (514.7/km²). There were 38,281 housing units at an average density of 693.5 per square mile (267.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.8% White, 6.0% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.8% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. 6.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Fayetteville was the third best educated city in Arkansas (afterMaumelle) in the 2010 Census, proportionately, with 40.5% of adults age 25 or older holding an associate degree or higher, and 24.6% of adults possessing a bachelor's degree or higher.

There were 33,661 households, out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.1% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 58.7% were non-families. 45.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.9% under the age of 18, 23.6% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,393, and the median income for a family was $62,258. Males had a median income of $42,004 versus $29,373 for females, indicating a huge income disparity. Theper capita incomefor the city was $26,267. 43.7% of the population and 29.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.0% of those under the age of 18 and 17.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.^[47]

69.6% of Fayetteville's population describes themselves as religious, above the national average of 48.34%.^[51]50.8% of people in Fayetteville who describe themselves as having a religion are Baptist (37.22% of the city's total population). 15.5% of people holding a religion are Catholic (7.7% of the city's total population). There are also higher proportions of Methodists and Pentecostals above the national average.^[51]

Top Employers ^[52]

2020 Rank	Employer	2010 Rank
1	University of Arkansas	1
2	Washington Regional Medical Center	2
3	Walmart	5
4	Fayetteville School District	4
5	Veterans Administration Medical	3
6	City of Fayetteville	6
7	APAC Central, Inc.	NR
8	Pinnacle Foods	NR
9	Tyson Foods	NR
10	Washington County Government	7

Walmart is based in nearbyBentonville, Arkansas, and is one of six Fortune 500 corporations based in the state (the others beingDillard's,J.B. Hunt,Murphy Oil,Tyson Foods, andWindstream).^[53]Tyson Foods is based inSpringdale, Arkansas, which is adjacent to the north of Fayetteville. Despite not being based in Fayetteville, these corporations have a big impact through the University of Arkansas. TheSam M. Walton College of Business(named forSam Walton) at the University has received numerous donations from theWalton family. Tyson also has a presence on campus at theTyson Center for Excellence in Poultry Science, which holds classes for theDale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. The poultry science program at Arkansas is one of the Top 5 programs in the United States.^[54]Transportation companyJ. B. Huntis based inLowell, Arkansas. It has donated millions of dollars to the university'slogisticsprogram, including $10 million funding theJ.B. Hunt Center for Academic Excellencethat completed in 2010.^[55]

The University of Arkansas has also been changing into a research-centered university since the late-20th century. The university's stated goals now include becoming the economic engine for the region, the state of Arkansas, and beyond. This focus on innovation has helped draw students who were interested in research to Fayetteville. This shift in emphasis was recognized by theCarnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teachingwith classification in the category of "R1, Highest Research Activity," in 2011.^[56][57]

In 2011,DataRank, a company which provides businesses with tools for analyzing conversations about their brands and competitors, was founded in Fayetteville.^[58]

In 2016, the City of Fayetteville announced its intention to become "The Startup City of the South" and work on further development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This endeavor is fostered through support from the University of Arkansas and non-profit initiatives such as the Walton Family Foundation and Community Venture Foundation.^[59]

Fayetteville's culture is a combination of a Southern city, college town, and the fast-growing Northwest Arkansas metro area.

Fayetteville shares many of the characteristics commonly given to Arkansas as a Southern state, yet it has also absorbed cultural influence from the Mid and South West. Located in the mid-South, Fayetteville's culture is distinct and it differs from the southeastern portion of the state and otherSoutheastern Conferencecollege towns, areas more commonly associated with theDeep South. Many of the city's first settlers came from Mid South states likeKentuckyandTennessee, who found the Ozarks similar to theAppalachian Mountainsback home.^[60]The uplands of Arkansas, including the Fayetteville area, did not participate in large-scale plantation farming with slaves like theArkansas Delta, instead electing to settle in small clusters, relying largely onsubsistence agricultureand hunting rather than the settlement patterns common in theMidwestand Deep South. Thehillbillystereotype given to the Ozarks and Appalachians is largely a derivative of the difficult topography, poor quality or absent formal education, and mostly cashless self-sustaining economy found in those regions. Fayetteville's large proportion ofSouthern BaptistandMethodistadherents reflect the trend often associated with the Deep South.^[61]

The city also derives a cultural identity from theUniversity of Arkansas, exhibiting many trademarks of a college town such as a prominent arts and music scene, socially-progressive residents, an emphasis on supporting local businesses, and a community focus on environmental sustainability.^[62]Fayetteville also shares a passion for collegiate athletics similar to many other Southeastern Conference member institution cities, such asOxford, Mississippi, andCollege Station, Texas.^[63]The University itself is a great magnet for fresh faces and young professionals from all across the nation and the world. Fall 2017 enrollment reports indicate that 55% of U of A students were from Arkansas, 40% from out of state, and the remaining 5% from foreign countries.^[64]

Fayetteville has a strong BBQ tradition, and the majority of the city's BBQ joints serveMemphis-style barbecue, with someTexasinfluence. Fayetteville is also home to a diverse array of dining options as Thai, Vietnamese, and Cajun eateries can be found throughout the city's commercial districts. The Fayetteville Roots Festival, an annual celebration of local cuisine and music, only adds to the growingfoodieculture of Northwest Arkansas with its community celebrations in the historic Fayetteville Square.

TheUniversity of Arkansasis Fayetteville's biggest attraction, with influence in the social, economic and educational aspects of Fayetteville.^[65]As the state'sflagshipuniversity, U of A has become integrated with Fayetteville and vice versa. Currently ranked the #157th best university in the country, theUniversity of Arkansas Campus Historic Districtlisted on theNational Register of Historic Placescontains 71 acres (29 ha) and 25 buildings within a park-likearboretum.^[65][66]In autumn, hundreds of parents travel to Fayetteville to help their children move into the various residence halls and apartments in the area, with thousands more attendingRazorback footballhome games. Fans return for basketball games to packBud Walton Arena, which was the fifth-largest on-campus arena upon completion.^[67]In spring the Hogs baseball team can be seen inBaum Stadium, named one of the top college baseball facilities in the South byRivals.comin 2010 due to the use of a large donation by the Walton family.^[68]Senior Walkis a 5-mile (8.0 km) sidewalk record of every graduate from the University of Arkansas. It spans nearly the entire sidewalk network in the core of the campus.

During the last decade, the university has drawn a large influx of students from bordering states, largely due to the New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award scholarship program. As of Spring 2018, nearly 40% of the student population is made up of students hailing from outside of Arkansas.^[69]As a result, student-centered off-campus apartments communities are being rapidly built to accommodate the growing student population.

Dickson Street is the primary entertainment district in the region, including musical and stage performances, shopping, bars, and restaurants. TheWest Dickson Street Commercial Historic Districtincludes several blocks along its namesake street as well as a few blocks of West Avenue lined with unique shops, restaurants and bars. Adjacent to the University of Arkansas campus, several of Dickson Street's establishments cater to students and locals alike. The district has been enjoying a rejuvenation that began in the 1980s by Dickson Street merchants who had watched the street turn into a dilapidated, crime-filled area. Many businesses had relocated onto College Avenue, leaving Dickson Street empty and in disrepair. The steady improvements by local entrepreneurs during this time lured theWalton Arts Center, today Arkansas's premier center for arts and entertainment, to locate on Dickson Street, a decision that proved beneficial to all parties involved.^[70]

TheWalton Arts Centeris the result of a joint effort between the City of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas to bring arts to the city. The center is located onDickson Streethalfway between the University and thetown square. It currently features a fullBroadway theatreseason, arts camps, continuing education opportunities for teachers of the arts, University-sponsored performances in addition to serving as a host for community events. A considerable donation from the namesakeWalton familyassisted greatly in the construction of the building.

TheatreSquared, Northwest Arkansas's only year-round professional regional theatre, is located just off Dickson Street, with an annual audience of 40,000 patrons including 18,500 students reached through outreach programs. The theatre was recognized in 2011 by theAmerican Theatre Wingas one of the nation's ten most promising emerging theatres.^[71]Dickson Street is also home to George's Majestic Lounge, the oldest live music venue in Arkansas and one of the oldest bar and concert venues in theMidwest. Opened by George Pappas in 1927, George's was the first bar in the state to integrate in the late 1950s, and began hosting live concerts in the 1970s.

TheFayetteville Historic Squarehas been the center of Fayetteville since the county's first courthouse was located there in 1829. The area is surrounded by wide sidewalks, landscaped gardens, and one-way streets. The Square plays host to a variety of events, including First Thursday on the Square, the Block Street Block Party, the Lights of the Ozarks Festival, Last Night Fayetteville,^[72]and Fayetteville Farmer's Market. Containing boutiques, restaurants, music venues, museums, condos, the visitor center, and a convention center, the Square is constituted of both historic structures and new constructions.

Thefarmers' marketbegan in 1974 and runs 7am to 1pm from the first Saturday in April through the last Saturday beforeThanksgivingset in theFayetteville Historic Square.^[73]Over 60 vendors provide locally grown fruits and vegetables in addition to crafts, flower bouquets, music and art, making the Fayetteville Farmers' Market very diverse. Upon receiving a grant in 2011, the Fayetteville Farmers' Market now acceptselectronic benefit transfer(EBT) and food stamps.^[74]The market has been praised by the Farmers Market Coalition for its formatting which allows farmers to interact directly with customers and also empowering each vendor with a vote before making major changes in market policy.^[74]The farmers' market moves to theBotanical Garden of the Ozarksfor Sunday mornings with 20–30 vendors, with some vendors also choosing to attend the Mill District Farmer's Market on Thursday evenings.

The Fayetteville Public Library, founded in 1916, was relocated in October 2004 into a $23 million building, which was the first"green" buildingin Arkansas. The Blair Library was awarded the 2005 Thomson GaleLibrary JournalHonorable Mention Library of the Year award, and, as a testament to its popularity, has seen its popularity increase, with twice as many items checked out in 2005 than in 1997.^[75]The library includes a local coffeeshop, Arsaga's, and hosts several events, including film festivals, book signings, and public forums throughout the year.

Fayetteville contains 40 listings on theNational Register of Historic Places(NRHP), the officialfederallist of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation. TheUniversity of Arkansas Campus Historic Districtconstitutes the historic core of the UA campus. Residential historic districts with historically and architecturally significant contributions to Fayetteville include theMount Nord Historic District,Washington-Willow Historic District, andWilson Park Historic District. The Square is anchored by five NRHP structures; the original Fayetteville post office built in 1911, the Old Bank of Fayetteville Building, the Lewis Brothers Building constructed in 1908, the Mrs. Young Building built in 1887, and the Guisinger Building. The formerWashington County CourthouseandOld Washington County Jailare located one block east of the Square.

TheHeadquarters Houseserved as a command post in the city for both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War, and today serves as a museum. TheFayetteville National Cemeteryis also listed on the NRHP. Built in 1867 following the Civil War, the cemetery has been expanded from its original 1,800 interments to over 7,000 interments.

Fayetteville was the first home ofBillandHillary Clintonwhile they both taught law at theUniversity of Arkansas School of Law. The house where they were married and lived is now theClinton House Museumhighlighting his early political life and features campaign memorabilia, a replica of Hillary's wedding dress, a photo gallery, and footage from his early campaign commercials.^[76]

Jason Moore, director of Pitch Perfect

Edward Durell Stone, architect

Maddy Morphosis, RuPaul's Drag Race Season 14contestant

Fayetteville does not host any professional sports teams, allowing theArkansas Razorbacksto control the sports scene. The Razorbacks (sometimes referred to asHogs) are frequently referred to as "The State of Arkansas's Professional Team".^[77]The Razorbacks compete in theNational Collegiate Athletic Association'sDivision Iand theSoutheastern Conference.^[78]

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadiumplays host to theArkansas Razorbacks footballteam, usually hosting 6–7 home football games each season. One game is scheduled yearly atWar Memorial StadiuminLittle Rock, Arkansas, although there has been discussion of moving these games to Fayetteville in recent years. Some major high school football games in the state are played in Razorback Stadium as well.Bud Walton Arenais home to theArkansas men'sandwomen's basketball teams. This facility was built in 1993 and holds a capacity of 19,368. Arkansas volleyball plays inBarnhill Arenain addition to the Razorbacks gymnastics team, also on thecampus of the University of Arkansas. The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team plays inBaum Stadium at George Cole Field, one of the nation's top 25 college baseball facilities.^[68]Softball plays in the newly builtBogle Parkon campus.

Due to the success of Arkansas's track and cross country teams, Fayetteville is sometimes called the "Track Capital of the South".^[79]The city has hosted theNational Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships at theRandal Tyson Track Center, one of the world's fastest surfaces. Arkansas also has hosted the Outdoor Track and Field Championships track facility atJohn McDonnell Field, named the "Top Outdoor Track and Field Facility of the Year" by the American Sports Builders Association in 2002.

The Blessings golf courseis agolf courselocated along Clear Creek in Fayetteville designed byRobert Trent Jones Jr.It is said to be one of the most difficult and strangely designed golf courses in the U.S.^{[citation needed]}The course is home to theUniversity of ArkansasRazorbacks golf teams.

TheNorthwest Arkansas NaturalsBaseball Club are the (AA) minor league affiliate of theKansas City RoyalsBaseball Club inMajor League Baseball. The club plays at Arvest Ballpark, located in nearby Springdale.

The 2022UCI Cyclo-cross World Championshipswas held in Fayetteville.

The Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department maintains 70 parks whose total land area makes up 3,129 acres (1,266 ha).^[80]TheNational Wildlife Federationhas listed many parks and trails in Fayetteville as Certified Wildlife Habitats, which provide food, water, shelter, and a nurturing environment for young wildlife.^[81]A favorite park in Fayetteville is Wilson Park, which anchors theWilson Park Historic District.^[82]The park was the city's first, and today contains a swimming pool, two playgrounds, a baseball field, picnic areas, and a 1981 castle in addition to courts for volleyball, basketball and tennis. TheNational Register of Historic Places-listed historic district encompasses 47 homes constructed in the late 19th and early 20th century along the southern edge of the park.^[83]

A new addition to the Fayetteville parks scene is theBotanical Garden of the Ozarks. First envisioned in 1993, the Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks raised funds for the facility until beginning construction in 2003. Planned to be built in three stages, the first stage has been completed and includes a visitor center, cafe, and garden gateway. Stage one also includes one-third of the total planned gardens and half the maintenance facilities.

Fayetteville takes pride in its trail system, and has been named a Bicycle Friendly Community by theLeague of American Bicyclistssince 2010.^[84][85]Trails in Fayetteville are well-marked with signs along the route in addition to road crossings. The city maintains trails within the city limits and segments of inter-city trails such as theRazorback Regional Greenway. The Razorback Greenway is a 36-mile (58 km), primarily off-road, shared-use trail that connects Fayetteville withBella VistaviaJohnson,Springdale,Lowell,Bentonville, andRogers.^[86]

The Fayetteville trail system is anchored by the Scull Creek Trail, a north–south paved trail which is 3.93 miles (6.32 km) in length and 12 feet (3.7 m) wide.^[87]It crosses the namesake creek six times on arching steel bridges and also uses a 650-foot (200 m)tunnel, at one time the only pedestrian tunnel in Arkansas.^[88]A trail of 3.7 miles (6.0 km) named the Dickson Street/U of A loop links around thecampus of the University of Arkansasand ends at the corner of Dickson Street and College Avenue.^[88]The Fayetteville Master Plan includes provisions for over 100 miles (160 km) of multi-use trails in the city. Approximately 2 to 3 miles (3.2 to 4.8 km) are added to the system per year.^[89]

Fayetteville operates within themayor–city councilform of government. The mayor is elected by a citywide election to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the city by presiding over all city functions, policies, rules and laws. Once elected, the mayor also allocates duties to city employees. The Fayetteville mayoral election in coincidence with the election of thePresident of the United States. Mayors serve four-year terms and can serve unlimited terms.^[90]The city council is theunicamerallegislative of the City, consisting of eight aldermen. Also included in the council's duties is balancing the city's budget and passing ordinances. The body also controls the representatives of specialized city commissions underneath their jurisdiction. Two aldermen are elected from each of the city's four wards.^[91]

Citizen input is welcomed through the use of various specialized groups. Although some positions are appointed by the mayor, many consist of volunteers. Requirements include the applicant is a resident of Fayetteville and submission of an application in order to gain access to any of Fayetteville's 28 city boards. These range from appointed positions at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission to the Fayetteville Arts Council to theFayetteville Public LibraryBoard of Trustees to the Historic District Commission and the Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee.^[92]

The Fayetteville District Court is located at 176 S Church Avenue in downtown Fayetteville, and is presided over by the District Judge, who is elected in a citywide election. The court handles criminal, civil, small claims, and traffic matters within the city limits. Beyond city court, Fayetteville is under the jurisdiction of the Fayetteville Department of Washington County District Court. Currently, the Washington County District Court is a Local District Court, meaning it is presided over by part-time judges who may privately practice law.^[93]The court will become a State District Court, meaning it will be presided over by a full-time judge in 2017.^[94]Superseding that jurisdiction is the4th Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Washington and Madison counties. The Circuit Court contains seven circuit judges.^[95]

The current mayor is Lioneld Jordan, first elected in 2008, again in 2012, again in 2016, and most recently in 2020. Prior to entering government, Jordan worked in the Facilities Management Department at the University of Arkansas for 27 years.^[96]

The current state representatives that serve districts containing portions of Fayetteville are Rep.Nicole Clowney,^[97]Rep.David Whitaker,^[98]Rep.Denise Garner.^[99]The current state senators that serve districts containing portions of Fayetteville are Sen.Greg Ledingand Sen.Lance Eads.^[100][101]

Most of Fayetteville is served by theFayetteville Public Schoolssystem, which consists of eight elementary schools, fourintermediate schools, two special schools, andFayetteville High School. The district was established in 1871 as the oldest school district in Arkansas. Fayetteville High School has been recognized byNewsweekas one of the South's top 500 high schools based onAdvanced Placement(AP) courses as well as AP test scores.^[102]The school's student literary magazine and athletics programs have also received regional praise.^[103]Sections of Fayetteville are zoned toFarmington School District(operatingFarmington High School),Greenland School District(operatingGreenland High School), andSpringdale School District;^[104]In 2006 the portion of Fayetteville in the Springdale district was divided between the zones ofHar-BerandSpringdalehigh schools.^[105]

Fayetteville is also home ofpublic charter schoolHaas Hall Academy, independent of all of the public school districts. Although Haas Hall Academy is located in Fayetteville, the school serves students across Arkansas. Haas Hall was established in 2004 as the first open-enrollment public charter high school in Arkansas.^[106]The school has been recognized byNewsweekas the best school in Arkansas and 279th best school in the nation.^[107]The nearest Catholic high school isOzark Catholic AcademyinTontitown.^[108]

TheUniversity of Arkansaswas founded in Fayetteville in 1871 as Arkansas Industrial University.^[109]Theland-grant/space-grant, high-activity research institution is the flagship campus of theUniversity of Arkansas System.^[110]Enrollment for the 2010 fall semester was 21,406 total students.^[111]Approximately 84% are Arkansas natives, with about 2% being international students due to the general lack of diversity in the region.^[112]Although it offers over 200 degree choices (excludingdoctoratefields), the university is noted for its above averagearchitecture, history, creative writing,poultry science, andbusiness programs. Because of the University of Arkansas's large presence in many aspects of the city's economy, culture, and lifestyle, Fayetteville is often portrayed as acollege townwith elements of dominance by the Walmart Corporation.^[113]

The Fayetteville market is defined as Washington and Benton Counties and is also called the Northwest Arkansas market byArbitron.^[114]This two-county area was ranked 127th in the nation with a listening/viewing population (age 12+) of 356,900 as of Spring 2011.^[115]

Two stations are operated by theUniversity of Arkansas,KXUA88.3 FM, which is the student-run station andKUAF, 91.3 FM, anational public radio(NPR) station.Cumulus Mediaowns seven stations in the Northwest Arkansas market,KFAY1030 AM (news talk),KYNG1590 AM,KQSM-FM92.1 FM (ESPN Radio),KAMO-FM94.3 FM (classic country music),KRMW94.9 FM,KKEG98.3 FM (classic rock), andKMCK-FM105.7 FM (Top 40).IHeartMediaowns four radio stations in the area, includingKIGL93.3 FM (classic rock),KMXF101.9 FM (Top 40),KKIX103.9 FM (country music) andKEZA107.9 FM (adult contemporary). Hog Radio, Inc. owns three radio stations in the area, includingKAKS99.5 FM (anESPN Radioaffiliate), KFMD-FM 101.5 (Hot AC), andKXRD96.7 FM (country music). Butler Communications ownsKXNA104.9 FM (new rock),KREB1190 AM, andKFFK1390 AM. Kerm, Inc. operates twoNews Talk Informationstations:KURM790 AM andKLTK1140 AM.KSEC95.7 broadcasts in theMexican Regionalformat and KFFK 1390 AM of Butler Communications broadcasts in theSpanish News/Talkformat. Religious stations includeKAYH89.3 FM,KBNV90.1 FM, andKLRC90.9 FM. All sports radio stationKUOA1290 AM is rebroadcast on 105.3 in Fayetteville and featuresArkansas Razorbackscoverage.KISR95.9 FM istranslatedto Fayetteville fromFort Smith. Smaller operations includeKPBI1250 AM (news talk information) andKBVA106.5 FM (Classic Hits/Oldies/Adult Standards/Adult Contemporary). Fayetteville Community Radio, The Public Square, KPSQ 97.3 FM, operates via a low-power license granted by the FCC.^[116]

Fayetteville is part of the Fort Smith/Fayetteville television market, which is currently the 101st largest in the country. Stations include, but are not limited to:

• KAFT (AETN)13 -PBS
• KFSM5 –CBS
• KFTA24 –Fox
• KHOG29 –ABC/The CW
• KNWA51 –NBC
• KXNW34 –MyNetworkTV

• Fayetteville Flyer

The major through route in Fayetteville isInterstate 49/US 71. Thisfully controlled access, four-laneexpresswayis a discontinuous piece of a route ultimately planned to connectKansas City, Missouri, toNew Orleans, Louisiana. Formerly designated asInterstate 540with the re-designation as Interstate 49 being granted by the U S Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration on March 28, 2014,^[117]the highway became the first freeway in the area when it was completed in the 1990s to relieve the former US 71 (nowUS 71B) of a much-increased demand of through travelers following the unanticipated and rapid growth of theNorthwest Arkansas metro. Future plans for the I-49 corridor include completion of a freeway segment throughWestern Arkansasto Texarkana.

Other major north–south routes in Fayetteville includeUS 71B, which was the predecessor to I-49/US 71. This route is now mostly designated College Avenue in Fayetteville and features dozens of restaurants and stores, with many aimed at theUniversity of Arkansasstudent demographic. To the east of College Avenue is the oldest road in Fayetteville,Arkansas Highway 265. This route first was used byNative Americansas theGreat Osage Trail, followed byCivil Wartroops bound forFort Smith, Arkansas, theTrail of Tears, theButterfield Overland Mailstagecoach route, and later still thetelegraph. To the west of College Avenue isGregg Avenue, which contains many student-oriented apartments along its shoulders and further west isGarland Avenue. This route runs along thecampus of the University of Arkansasin south Fayetteville, with apartments and duplexes along its northern routing.

The city of Fayetteville has two major providers of public transportation.Razorback Transitis a free bus system centered on thecampus of the University of Arkansaswith routes to other Fayetteville destinations such asDickson Streetor theNorthwest Arkansas Mall.Ozark Regional Transitruns throughout both Washington andBenton Countiesand is a broader bus-based regional transit system.Jefferson Linesprovides intercity bus service connecting Fayetteville to much of the Midwest.

Drake Field, formerly Fayetteville Municipal Airport, is owned by the city and servesgeneral aviation. The nearest airport for commercial flights isNorthwest Arkansas National Airport(XNA), located 17 miles northwest of the city, which opened in 1998.Drake Fieldreceives many sports charters year round because of theArkansas Razorbacks.

The City of Fayetteville owns and operates a large water system that provides services to several municipalities and unincorporated areas in the northern half of Washington County in addition to Fayetteville residents. Drinking water is pumped in from theBeaver Water Districttreatment plant inLowell.^[118]The city uses 16 million US gallons (61 ML) of water per day on average.^[119]

Fayetteville owns its ownwastewateroperation, including a network of pipes and lift stations which convey wastewater to the city's two wastewater treatment plants. Both plants are operated byCH2Mand regulated by theArkansas Department of Environmental Quality(ADEQ). Historically, all sewage was sent to the Paul R. Noland Wastewater Treatment Plant (Noland WWTP) on the east side of town. However, development on the city's west side as well as the expense of pumping wastewater over East Mountain led the city to build the West Side WWTP in 2008. In addition to these two facilities, Fayetteville also operates 39 lift stations to pump wastewater over steep elevation rises in order to utilize gravity flow toward the WWTPs. Fayetteville also maintains abiosolidsmanagement program, in which biosolids, a byproduct ofwastewater treatment, are land applied to provide nutrients to soil on which crops are grown.

Fayetteville's first wastewater treatment came in 1913 in the form of anImhoff tankon the West Fork of the White River.^[120]This facility was improved several times throughout the years until the construction of the City of Fayetteville Water Pollution Control Facility downstream ofLake Sequoyah. This plant was built in 1968 and has since seen major upgrades and expansion. Now known as the Noland WWTP, it is designed for a flow rate of 12.6 million US gallons (48 ML) per day.^[121]The West Side WWTP has a design flow of 10 million US gallons (38 ML) per day^[122]with a peak flow capacity of 32 million US gallons (120 ML) per day during wet weather.

The city's biosolids program was conceived after concerns about the costs and sustainability of landfill dumping arose. Fayetteville initiated a land application program on a farm site near the Noland plant that allowed the city to apply biosolids and subsequently grow and harvest hay. In 2010, solar energy became the main component of the solids dewatering process following the installation of sixsolar dryers.^[123]From this program, the city gains additional revenue from the sale of hay and fertilizer (Class A biosolids).^[124]

• List of people from Fayetteville, Arkansas

• Arnold, Morris S.; DeBlack, Thomas A.; Sabo III, George; Whayne, Jeannie M. (2002).Arkansas: A narrative history(1st ed.). Fayetteville, Arkansas: The University of Arkansas Press.ISBN1-55728-724-4.OCLC49029558.

• Official website
• Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry:Fayetteville (Washington County)