Towns include: Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Siloam Springs
Job growth (2000-2006): 41.2%
Sure, the world headquarters for Wal-Mart would be a natural choice for a top job growth area, but Benton County has even more to offer. The Whistler Group, leading manufacturer of radar detectors, also does a thriving business here and Crystal Bridges, a proposed $50 million museum of colonial American art, promises to do wonders for the local economy. This ambitious region also will be home to a minor-league hockey team and is hoping to lure a WNBA franchise as well.
 Dave Peel Park, Bentonville, Arkansas
15. Benton County, Ark. Source: OnBoard |  For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community (more)  Wondering where the wealth is? Residents of these 25 places have the highest median household incomes in the country. (more) |
