Americans Are Moving to Arkansas as the State Widens Its Lead in Net Inbound Migration
Arkansas is widening its lead as the nation’s top state for net inbound migration, driven by affordability, job growth, quality of life, and a growing list of other pull factors.
Arkansas continues to lead the nation in inbound migration, according to the Atlas Van Lines 2025 Migration Patterns Study. The report, which tracked moves between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025, found that the state not only welcomed more new residents but also saw fewer departures, reinforcing its growing appeal to people relocating across the country.
In the national rankings for inbound migration, Arkansas placed first, followed by Idaho, North Carolina, Hawaii, Washington DC, Tennessee, Washington, Alabama, North Dakota, and New Hampshire.
Bentonville Draws the Largest Share of Newcomers
In Northwest Arkansas, the city of Bentonville emerged as the strongest magnet for new residents. The study, which reviewed thousands of household moves handled by Atlas Van Lines, found that 38 percent of all people moving into Arkansas chose Bentonville, a town within the broader Northwest Arkansas metro area. In total, it attracted nearly one third of all newcomers. The report noted that Arkansas was the only state where such a large share of inbound moves concentrated in a single city.
The numbers show that many newcomers are choosing the Northwest Arkansas region over larger cities across the country. Even within the state, new residents appear to prefer the fast growing cities of Northwest Arkansas far more than the capital, Little Rock.
Bentonville, the birthplace and global headquarters of Walmart, has become an appealing center for both business and tourism. The city offers attractions such as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a lively downtown, extensive mountain biking trails, and a growing range of amenities that have transformed a once small town into a dynamic destination for commerce, art, and outdoor recreation.
The New York Times has described Bentonville as a major hub in the biking world, and long running events such as the Rodeo of the Ozarks are ranked among the top five large outdoor rodeos in the country. Bentonville Parks and Recreation manages twenty two parks and more than fifty miles of trails.
Nearby Fayetteville is also experiencing rapid growth. Residents cite its low crime rate, strong quality of life, Christian conservatism, affordability, job opportunities, and access to nature as key reasons for relocating there. Many newcomers say they are drawn to the idea of being a big fish in a small pond.
A Trend That Began Years Ago
Inbound migration to Arkansas is not a one year surge. The state has been steadily attracting new residents since 2020. During this period, Arkansas has consistently recorded more people moving in than moving out.
The year 2025 marks the strongest influx yet. 68 percent of all moves were inbound, compared with 32 percent outbound, an increase from the 65 to 35 split in 2024. Arkansas also ranked as the top state for inbound migration in 2024. Earlier years show the same pattern, with 58 percent inbound in 2023, 59 percent in 2022, 62 percent in 2021, and 54 percent in 2020. The rise in newcomers became especially noticeable during the COVID years beginning in 2020.
The Migration Patterns Study, conducted each year since 1993, tracks moves that take place between November 1 and October 31. The full Atlas Van Lines 2025 Migration Patterns Study is available online.
Challenge of being a Sought After Destination
Analyzing the trend, it is clear that Arkansas will continue to be a sought after destination, with a high inbound mover rate and an outbound rate of only 35 percent. While many take pride in the fact that people across the United States are choosing the state and its fast growing cities as some of the best places to live, this rapid growth also creates challenges for local authorities.
Communities must prepare to manage the steady flow of new residents. Infrastructure will need to grow to keep pace with the rising population. In Northwest Arkansas, city councils and planners are studying the idea of creating a regional authority that could coordinate planning, support businesses, and guide long term development. As the migration trend continues, strong and proactive action at both local and state levels will be essential to ensure sustainable growth and protect the quality of life for current and future residents.
