Life in Northwest Arkansas

Located in northwest Arkansas, Bentonville—the site of Walmart’s Home Office—is one of the fastest-growing regions of the country. Despite its rapid growth, Bentonville is still known by visitors for its friendly, hometown atmosphere. People love the region’s natural beauty, quality of life and easy access to sports and activities. Whether you enjoy swimming, camping, boating or canoeing at our local state parks, or taking in a University of Arkansas Razorbacks game, there is always something for everyone in northwest Arkansas.

In addition to recreational activities, the area offers a large airport—Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA)—only 20 minutes from our Home Office. We are also a short driving distance to a number of metropolitan areas, including Tulsa, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Dallas, Memphis and St. Louis.

Geography

Old Main, at the University of Arkansas campus, in Fayetteville, Ark.

Surrounded by the Ozark Mountains, northwest Arkansas sports beautiful rolling hills. Our weather is mild, but we still experience the splendor of the four seasons.
Many of our associates live in the surrounding communities of Rogers, Bella Vista, Lowell, Springdale and Fayetteville.
Northwest Arkansas is the sixth-fastest growing region in the country with more than 300,000 residents in Benton and Washington counties.

Education

The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is the flagship campus of the UA system with more than 17,000 students.
Bentonville is home to Northwest Arkansas Community College, the state’s second-largest community college.
The area also offers several smaller colleges and technical schools.
Younger students have many choices, too, including several private, charter, and parochial schools as well as multiple school districts.

Sports and Culture

Arvest Ballpark, home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball team

Locally produced live theater shows perform at the historic Rogers Little Theater. You can also catch touring Broadway shows at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.
The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville and the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale hold rock, classical and alternative music concerts.
The Arkansas Razorbacks maintain a strong following in Northwest Arkansas. Best known for football and men's basketball, the university also fields strong teams in baseball, cross-country, golf, tennis and track. The women's teams compete in basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and volleyball.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals play baseball at the new 6,500-seat Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. The Naturals, a Class AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, completed their final season as the Wichita (Kansas) Wranglers in 2007.
Bella Vista, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville are all near golf courses. In 2007, Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers hosted the area’s first LPGA tour event.

Cost of Living

The cost of living index for northwest Arkansas is 92.1 percent, compared to the national average of 100 percent.

Tour the Home Office Headquarters

Experience the Walmart Visitor Center

Following more than 18 months of planning, design, construction, and exhibit fabrication, the Walmart Visitor Center held its grand re-opening on May 21. A family-friendly experience in 3 parts, the Visitor Center features Walton’s 5&10, a world-class exhibit gallery, and the Spark Café’. Read more about the Walmart Visitor Center.