Bella Vista, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bella Vista, Arkansas
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Clockwise, from top: Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, Lake Ann, Bella Vista golf, and a waterfall along Tanyard Creek
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Location of Bella Vista in Benton County, Arkansas
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Arkansas | |
| County | Benton | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 46.88 sq mi (121.41 km2) | |
| • Land | 45.30 sq mi (117.34 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.57 sq mi (4.07 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,150 ft (350 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 30,104 | |
| • Density | 664.47/sq mi (256.55/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP codes |
72714, 72715
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| Area code(s) | 479 | |
| FIPS code | 05-04840 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0076292 | |
Bella Vista is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. First established in 1917 as a summer resort destination, Bella Vista has evolved and redesigned itself over the succeeding years. Bella Vista became a retirement community in 1965, and, after much contention and a 2006 vote of its property owners, became an incorporated city.
Following its official incorporation on January 1, 2007, the new city government took over the police department, fire department, streets, trash removal and other city functions, while the Property Owners Association (POA) retained control of the many amenities available to members (property owners) and their guests.
Amenities include numerous parks, clubhouses with workout areas, swimming pools, five 18-hole golf courses, two nine-hole golf course, seven lakes with fishing and boat docks (three ski lakes), a marina, swimming beach, putt putt golf courses and tennis courts, dog park, softball field, and extensive hiking and biking trails.
The city of Bella Vista is located on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Mountains. Oak/hickory forests, along with valleys, creeks, and steep rises, characterize the city's topography. Bella Vista is located north of Bentonville and Rogers and is the northernmost Arkansas city in the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (which includes McDonald County, Missouri). The city has been experiencing a population and building boom in recent years, as indicated by a 60% growth in population between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.
Contents
Geography
Bella Vista is located in northern Benton County at 36°28'8" North, 94°16'7" West (36.4691, -94.2687). Its northern border is the Missouri state line. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 45.9 square miles (118.9 km2), of which 44.2 square miles (114.6 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.2 km2) is water, consisting mainly of the several lakes within the city.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 2,589 | — | |
| 1990 | 9,083 | 250.8% | |
| 2000 | 16,582 | 82.6% | |
| 2010 | 26,461 | 59.6% | |
| 2020 | 30,104 | 13.8% | |
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 26,296 | 87.35% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 209 | 0.69% |
| Native American | 294 | 0.98% |
| Asian | 215 | 0.71% |
| Pacific Islander | 25 | 0.08% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,711 | 5.68% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,354 | 4.5% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,104 people, 12,396 households, and 8,792 families residing in the city.
Parks and recreation
Lakes
Bella Vista has seven lakes. These lakes are not "public" in that only members of the community or their guests are permitted to use them. Lake Ann, Lake Windsor, and Lake Loch Lomond are the largest all-sports lakes in the town. Lake Avalon, Lake Norwood, and Lake Rayburn are primarily fishing lakes with "no wake" restrictions. Current POA boat permits are required as are Arkansas fishing licenses, when fishing Bella Vista lakes.
- Lake Ann is an all-water sport lake with 112.5 acres (0.455 km2) of surface area. Because it is 53.5 feet (16.3 m) deep with no power limit, water skiing is allowed on Lake Ann.
- Lake Windsor is the second largest of the lakes, covering 220 acres (0.89 km2) with a maximum depth of 79.5 feet (24.2 m). Lake Windsor is also an unlimited power lake, and water skiing is allowed.
- Loch Lomond is the largest of all the lakes in the city. It is 80 feet (24 m) deep and covers 477 acres (1.93 km2). There is no power limit, skiing is allowed, and boat rental is offered.
- Lake Avalon is a limited-power lake that features an enclosed, heated fishing dock located off Tamworth Circle. This lake covers 67 acres (270,000 m2) and is 50 feet (15 m) deep.
- Lake Brittany is 77 feet (23 m) deep, has a 35-acre (140,000 m2) surface area and is a limited-power lake. Although there is currently no launching ramp, the terrain is suitable for launching.
- Lake Norwood, located just north of Bella Vista's Town Center, has 34.5 acres (140,000 m2) of surface area and is 75 feet (23 m) deep. The Lake Norwood launching ramp is located north of Harp's Food Store in Town Center. This is a limited-power lake.
- Lake Rayburn is 60 feet (18 m) deep and has a 47-acre (190,000 m2) surface area. This lake has limited power regulations. It also features a designated swimming area and a launching ramp that is accessible from Lakeside Drive.
Trails
Bella Vista Lake has a 1.8-mile-long (2.9 km) walking/biking trail that goes around the lake. (The trail, however, is actually maintained by the city of Bentonville.) Tanyard Creek is the site of another walking trail off Lake Windsor in the center of the village. It has a footbridge and some waterfalls except during dry times.
Education
There are two school districts serving the city. On the east side is the Bentonville School District, and on the west side is Gravette School District. Also serving the city is a private preschool, Bella Vista Montessori Academy. Cooper Elementary, part of the Bentonville District, is a K-4. The Bentonville School district is planning two new schools for Bella Vista students.
Northwest Arkansas Community College is also part of the community, with its main branch in Bentonville near I-49 Exit 86.
Infrastructure
Electricity
Carroll Electric Cooperative provides electricity for Bella Vista residents.
Public safety
The Bella Vista Fire Department is a career fire department with four fully staffed fire stations. There are three shifts with 16 career firefighters on each shift. The fire department also provides Advanced Life Support paramedic service to the city with six ambulances. In 2010, the department took control over the Bella Vista Ambulance Services.
Transportation
The final segment of Interstate 49 (I-49), which runs from Fort Smith, Arkansas to Kansas City, Missouri, was completed through Bella Vista on October 1, 2021. The new route bypassed Bella Vista to the south and west, removing through traffic from Highway 71, which had seen increasing traffic congestion over the decades. I-49 has four exits providing access to Bella Vista: US 71 (Bella Vista Way), two exits with Highway 72, and Benton County Road 34 (CR 34, Rocky Dell Hollow Road).
Bella Vista Way is a four-lane controlled access divided highway that bisects the city from north to south. Two Arkansas state highways cross Bella Vista: Highway 279 (Forest Hills Boulevard) runs north-south from Gravette to Missouri, and Highway 340 (Lancashire Boulevard) from east to west from Highway 279 to Missouri. Almost all of the remaining street network in Bella Vista is laid out using a street hierarchy typical of large residential subdivisions, with hundreds of cul-de-sac streets.
Solid waste
The POA provides water service to Bella Vista residents. The City of Bella Vista contracts with Republic Services for trash collection. There also are two semi-annual pick ups of large items.
Stump Dump Fire of 2018
A dump site had begun an underground fire in August 2018. In December 2018, health officials declared the air within a half-mile radius around the property was at unhealthy levels on one occasion. An emergency declaration was made by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The Bella Vista POA took over this project in early May 2019 and had the fire extinguished in less than 30 days.
Water and wastewater
Village Waste Water provides sewer service to portions of Bella Vista.
Notable people
- Donna Hutchinson, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013
- Jim Sheets, member of the Arkansas House from 1967 to 1968 in the Winthrop Rockefeller administration; retired resident of Bella Vista
- Garth Smith - award winning pianist/composer/musician noted for his contributions to LDS Gospel Music.
Images for kids
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Tanyard Creek
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