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Local Area Information
The top ten employers are:

Top ten manufacturing employers include Tyson’s Foods; ConAgra; Whirlpool Corp.; Georgia-Pacific Corp.; International Paper Co.; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; OK Industries; Emerson Electric; Superior Industries International; and Weyerhaeuser Co.

Arkansas has five Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state: Alltel Corporation of Little Rock; Dillard’s Inc. of Little Rock; Murphy Oil Corp. of El Dorado; Tyson’s Foods of Springdale; and Wal-Mart Stores of Bentonville. There are also 112 parent firms represented in Arkansas from the Fortune 500, and 315 total facilities, and represent a diverse offering of manufacturers, from PepsiCo to Lockheed Martin.

In addition to manufacturing, Arkansas also has a budding industry in information technology. There was an 11 percent rise in info-tech businesses between 1998 and 2000 statewide, and this new industry only shows signs of growing bigger. Tech businesses run the gamut from computer programming, systems and software to data processing and information retrieval. The two largest info-tech companies, Alltel and Acxiom, are headquartered in Little Rock and employ 7,500 workers across the state. For tech research and development, the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville offers the GENESIS technology incubator, which provides office facilities, research laboratories, prototype production and access to the university’s pool of knowledge, including libraries, computers and research experts.

Arkansas also knows that education and technology go hand in hand in this new century. More than 120 Arkansas schools participate in the Environmental and Spatial Technology program, better known on school campuses as the EAST lab. This program uses hands-on experience with technology, such as geographic location systems and cutting-edge software, to produce highly skilled youths in information technology. The Eureka Springs EAST lab has mapped out the entire city and created a user-friendly, geographically accurate 911 response map for the Eureka Springs Police Department using GPS technology and visual arts software.

ECOTOURISM
Once thought to be solely within the realm of exotic destinations like Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, ecotourism and its cousin, adventure travel, is quickly becoming popular in the United States. In fact, these sub-genres are becoming tourism’s fastest growing sectors as the global tourism marketplace becomes more ecologically aware of the planet’s disappearing resources. The emphasis in ecotourism is on environmental education, allowing small groups of visitors to experience a natural setting without degrading the resources or disturbing the life cycles of wildlife and vegetation.

Arkansas began one of the nation’s first ecotourism programs in 1993 with Ozark Ecotours in Newton County. A financial feasibility study done in 1996 showed that the fledgling program added more than $90,000 in income to the area, and created the equivalent of 3 jobs.

The success of Ozark Ecotours suggests that ecotourism is a highly profitable niche market for the state, and would fit well with natural destinations in the Ozarks and even within the city of Eureka Springs itself. “Soft” ecotourism does not even require pristine natural settings, but can involve the cultural heritage and history of an area, from walking tours to workshops. Although Eureka Springs, and Carroll County, has many natural and historic destinations, to truly tap into the ecotourism market will require widespread community involvement.

Business opportunities abound in the Eureka Springs ecotourism market; current development of hiking trails connecting the community of Beaver to Lake Leatherwood, plus the city’s planned development of the Black Bass Lake Park, means that several services will be needed. Potential businesses could include bike rentals, outdoor supply and outfitters, hiking and history tours, equipment repair and more. Travel any direction from Eureka Springs, and you’ll find a perfect backdrop for ecotourism, from the quiet splendor of the Kings River to the east, to eagle spotting in the winter along Beaver Lake to the west and south. North of Eureka Springs, hikers can watch a heron dip into Table Rock Lake for his lunch, or explore hidden history from another century along the walking trail near the community of Beaver.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

COST OF LIVING
According to figures tabulated by ACCRA (American Chambers of Commerce Research Association), Arkansas had the lowest cost of living (2002, fourth quarter) in the United States of 45 participating surveyed states and the District of Columbia. Arkansas’ composite rank of 89.5 was taken from figures for groceries (90.2), health care (86.7) housing (80.2), transportation (93.4), utilities (93.9) and miscellaneous (95.4). Index statistics are not available individually for Eureka Springs, but by looking at numbers for the closest MSA to the community in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers for the same time frame, the cost of living is still lower at 91.9 than many entire states, and considerably lower than the national average of 100. For the same time frame, the highest cost of living in the state of Arkansas is in Little Rock-North Little Rock MSA, with 95.1, and the lowest is in the Fort Smith area with 84.4.

CRIME INDEX
Eureka Springs has a very low crime rate of 14 compared to the national average of 100. Overall, Arkansas had a 10.5percent drop in violent crime from 2001 to 2002, and a 4.3 percent drop in property crime. Total arrests were down by 14.3 percent. A major contributor to the security Eureka Springs enjoys is the ten dedicated law enforcement officers of the Eureka Springs Police Department, who not only respond to calls, but also work with the community in youth and anti-crime programs.

GROSS STATE PRODUCT
The total Arkansas Gross State Product for 2001 was 63,701 (representing millions of chained 1996 dollars), a definite increase from the 1991 figure of 46,172. Private industries comprised the largest portion, with 56,073, compared to 39,711 in 1991. Manufacturing was next, with 13,320; Services were 9,571; this category includes hotels and lodging, business services, and amusement and recreation; retail trade was 8,279. GSP is the value added in production by the labor and property located in a state. GSP for a state is derived as the sum of the GSP originating in all industries in the state. Real GSP is simply the GSP data modified to reflect price changes. All data are from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and refer to real GSP (i.e. nominal GSP deflated by a chained price index with 1996 = 100). Gross state product is similar to the concept of state gross domestic product on the income side except that it does not incorporate income and compensation paid to military and government personnel stationed outside the country.

INCOME AND WAGES
Data for Eureka Springs is set with data from Carroll County as well as surrounding counties and the state of Arkansas for comparison. Source data is from the 2000 Census.
 
ES
Carroll
Benton
Boone
Arkansas
Median income
$22,547
$27,924
$40,281
$29,998
$32,182
The median household income in the United States is $41,994

Per Capita:

$18,439

$16,003

$19,377

$19,175

$16,904
 
 
 
 
 
Male workers, year-round, full-time:
 
$27,188
$21,896
$30,327
$27,114
$29,784
 
 
 
 
 
Female workers, year-round, full-time:
 
$17,161
$18,159
$22,469
$19,229
$21,270
 
 
 
 
 
Families below poverty level:
 
4.4%
11%
7.3%
10.7%
12%
         

INFLATION
The laspring figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for October, 2003, shows that the Consumer Price Index for South-1 declined 0.1 percent to a level of 178.1. Lower transportation costs accounted for most of the decline. Energy costs are on the decline, while food rose 3.2 percent. Excluding food and energy, the index increased 1.1 percent since October 2002. The South-1 area measured by the CPI includes Arkansas, Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE UNEMPLOYMENT

2000 Statistics

  • 4.3 percent, Eureka Springs;
  • 4.5 percent, Carroll County;
  • 2.1 percent, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers;
  • 4.4 percent, state of Arkansas.

Although city and county percentages have yet been released for 2002, the Bureau of Economic Analysis states that Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA rose to 2.4 percent, and the unemployment rate for Arkansas was 5.4 percent.

POPULATION
 
ES
Carroll
Benton
Boone
Arkansas
Total:
2,278
25,357
153,406
33,948
2,673,400
Median age:
46.3
39.4
35.3
38.9
36
18 and over:
82.8%
76%
73.4%
76.1%
74.6%

Eureka Springs is 55 percent female, and 45 percent male. The largest age group is 45 to 54 years, which accounts for 19.9 percent of the population. Second most populous group was age 35-44, with 14.2 percent. Eureka Springs still has some distance to go for ethnic diversity: 93.9 of the population is white, although that number may change with the next census, due to the growing Hispanic community. In the 2000 census, only 4 percent of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
 

AVERAGE EUREKAN:

  • 46 years old, white, with English, Irish or German heritage.
  • member of a family household (either part of a married couple or with children) with only one or two other people.
  • Holds at least a high school diploma.
  • Works two seasonal tourism jobs.
  • Involved in community affairs and charities.
  • Is well-read and informed on current events.
  • Has a median household income of $25,547 a year.
  • Was not born in Eureka Springs, but has lived here at least five years.
  • Has likely moved in the last five years.
  • Owns a 2-bedroom house with a total of five rooms, heated with utility gas. Home is valued at $96,800, and was built before 1939. Has 15 percent or less costs associated with home (mortgage, bills, etc.)
  • If renting a home, has 35 percent or more of household income going toward rent costs.
  • Has one auto, drives to work. Has commute of 11.6 minutes.


AVERAGE CARROLL COUNTIAN:

  • 39 years old, white, with English, Irish or German heritage.
  • Is married and a member of a family household.
  • Has a median household income of $27,924 per year.
  • Holds a high school diploma.
  • Has lived in the same house since at least 1995.
  • Owns a five-room house built from 1970-1989, valued at $83,900. Has less than 15 percent costs associated with home. Heats their home with utility gas.
  • If renting a home, has 35 percent or more of household income going toward rent costs.
  • Has two autos, drives to work. Has commute of 19.7 minutes.
WORKFORCE
 
ES
Carroll
Benton
Boone
Arkansas
Population age 16 and over:
 
1,949
19,991
116,881
26,819
2,072,068
Workers age 16 and over:
 
1,270
12,406
74,545
15,982
1,255,828
Percentage of population employed:
 
60.9%
58.7%
61.6%
56.6%
56.658.7%
Percentage of workers unemployeed:
 
4.3%
3.4%
2.1%
3%
3.7%
Female workers age 16 and over:
 
676
5,859
33,801
14,044
585,708
All parents in family in workforce:
 
59.6%
56.9%
57.4%
65.5%
60.1%
ES
Carroll
Benton
Boone
Arkansas
Percentage of employed work force in management, professional or related occupations:
 
38.8%
25.8%
29.7%
24.4%
27.7%
In service occupations:
 
24.1%
16.9%
12.3%
13.2%
14.1%
In sales of office work:
 
22.2%
20.7%
27%
29.1%
25.1%
In production, transportation and material moving:
 
7.4%
24.1%
20.2%
21.5%
21%
ES
Carroll
Benton
Boone
Arkansas
Percentage of workforce in arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services:
 
37.7%
12%
5.4%
8.3%
6.3%
In manufacturing:
 
5.1%
26.1%
20.4%
16.9%
19.4%
In retail trade:
 
13.3%
12.9%
22.4%
14.3%
13%
Self-employed workers in non-incorporated businesses:
 
14.8%
13%
7.8%
15.3%
7.8%
 
 
 

HOUSING
The average cost of a new home in the Carroll County area is $65-75 per square foot, or $128,000-150,000 for a 2,000 sq. ft. home. As of the 2000 Census, the average home in Arkansas was worth $72,800; in Carroll County, $83,900; and in Eureka Springs, $96,800. The higher value of homes in Eureka Springs corresponds to the high number of historic homes (35.5 percent) that were built before 1939.
ES
Carroll
Benton
Boone
Arkansas
Total housing units:
 
1,306
11,828
64,281
15,426
1,176,043
Occupied housing units:
 
1,123
10,189
58,212
13,851
1,042,696
Median rooms:
 
4.9
5.1
5.3
5.2
5.1
Specificed owner-occupied units:
 
546
4,131
33,120
6,591
513,483
Specified renter-occupied units:
 
419
2,515
15,524
3,503
310,291
 
ES
Carroll
Benton
Boone
Arkansas
House heating fuel:
Utility gas
75.5%
35%
52%
36.5%
48.6%
Bottled, tank or LP gas
3.2%
25.6%
14.9%
20.8%
13.5%
Electricty
19.1%
28%
28.5%
31.4%
32.7%
Median mortgage and other owner costs:
 
$661
$687
$827
$681
$737
Selected monthly owner costs as percentage:
Less than 15%
35.9%
41.5%
43.2%
43.8%
45.3%
15% to 19%
9.3%
13.6%
19%
17.5%
17.3%
20% to 24%
16.3%
10.9%
12.9%
12.5%
11.7%
25% to 29%
9.3%
8.3%
8%
6.7%
7.3%
30% to 34%
5.3%
6.7%
4.9%
4.4%
4.5%
35% or more
21.2%
17.3%
11.5%
14.4%
12.7%
         
Median rent costs:          
  $427 $433 $528 $414 $453
Gross rent as percentage of household income:
Less than 15%
13.4%
21.7%
22.8%
18.5%
19.4%
15% to 19%
11.5%
12.2%
17.1%
12.7%
13.7%
20% to 24%
8.6%
9.4%
13.5%
11%
11.4%
25% to 29%
11%
10.4%
10.2%
8%
9%
30% to 34%
10.7%
8%
6.4%
6.5%
6.3%
35% or more
28.9%
24.3%
22.4%
29.1%
26.7%
         
Assets:
  • A thriving, active artistic community;
  • breathtaking natural beauty in all seasons;
  • unique town personality that values independent thinking;
  • entire Historic Downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
  • dozens of retail businesses provide a good shopping experience for visitors;
  • numerous museums and attractions for almost any taste located within the city limits or a ten-minute drive;
  • close proximity to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, the sixth fastest growing MSA in the U.S. and home to corporate heavyweights such as Wal-Mart, Tyson’s Foods and J.B. Hunt;
  • plentiful outdoor recreation a few minutes drive in any direction at Lake Leatherwood City Park, Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, White River, Kings River and Madison County Wildlife Management Area;
  • within a day’s drive of population centers like Dallas, TX, Tulsa, OK, Oklahoma City, OK, Memphis, TN, Kansas City,MO, St. Louis,MO, Wichita, KS;
  • friendly, small-town atmosphere;
  • growing recognition of the Auditorium as a concert/entertainment venue;
  • no impact fees for manufacturing or industrial use;
  • no county-wide zoning outside city limits;
 
Challenges:
  • steep hills and valleys prevent much flat space for large-scale construction or manufacturing;
  • only access to town is via two-lane highways (62 & 23) which restrict traffic flow and cannot be easily expanded;
  • limited transportation options—closest bus, rail or air is in Fayetteville MSA;
  • economy relies mostly on tourism, which is not a profitable year-round industry;
  • lack of affordable housing for residents;
  • lack of basic services and non-tourist recreation, such as furniture stores, regular clothing stores; movie theaters, arcades;
  • no centralized information resources for the underprivileged;
  • lack of bilingual services for the growing Hispanic population;
  • little employment available in the winter months;
  • wastewater treatment system will soon require space for expansion.
Building or Renovating in the Historic District:

Historical District Commission
Eureka Springs Historic District covers approximately two square miles, and contains both commercial and residential districts. The Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in December, 1970. The Eureka Springs Historic District Commission (HDC) was established to preserve and protect the historic authenticity and appearance of the district; the design guidelines put forth by the Commission apply to the exterior of buildings and structures, as well as stone retaining walls and sidewalks. The design guidelines emphasize preservation over renovation whenever possible; each structure and its site is seen as a record of its time and place in history. A building permit is required for any construction, demolition or modification to the exterior of the structure or property. That permit cannot be issued until the HDC has reviewed the proposed design changes and approved a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).

Certificate of Appropriateness
There are three different levels of projects that require a COA:

Level I: Maintenance to existing structures, such as roofing repair, painting, and other repair of buildings or features, from walls and fences to paving and foundations.

Level II: Projects with medium impact to the building or property, with changes that do not increase or decrease the shape, contour or size of the building and its features. Level II projects include changes to doors and windows, porches, sidewalks and driveways, fences, exterior lighting, roof penetrations such as skylights, chimneys or vents, or restoring missing building trim. Also included in this category is re-roofing with materials other than the original used on the structure, and changes to permanent landscape fixtures.

Level III: Projects with major impact to the building or property, including changing the size or volume of a building, altering the contour or roofline, or changing the footprint. Anything that changes the architectural style of the structure, from adding or deleting stories to placement of doors, windows and dormers. Also included in this category is the demolition of a structure. The entire Commission must approve a Level III COA and some instances of Level II.
Community
Where is Eureka Springs?
Located in the northwest corner of Arkansas, Eureka Springs is nestled amid the hills and valleys of the Ozark Mountains, just nine miles from the Missouri state line. The town itself lies at the headwaters of Leatherwood Creek, a tributary of the White River, and is in the western district of Carroll County. Eureka Springs is approximately 1400 feet above sea level. Although Berryville ( Eureka’s closest neighbor and a mere ten miles away) is the county seat, both communities have courthouses.

How did it start?
As the name indicates, Eureka Springs was formed because of natural spring in the area. Legends from Native Americans had often marked this area as a sacred spot because of the cold, healing spring. In 1858, Dr. Alvah Jackson was on a hunting trip with his sons, one of who had an eye ailment. Dr. Jackson told his son to bathe the eye in the waters of Basin Spring, and his son’s condition improved in the following days. The doctor deemed the legends of healing waters true, and word began to spread as he bottled and sold the water as a medicinal aid for eye ailments.

By 1879, several hundred new residents seeking better health clustered around Basin Spring, and on July 4 of that year, they officially formed the town and named it Eureka Springs. The name was derived from the Greek word, ‘ Eureka!’ meaning, ‘I have found it. The name reflected the settlers’ enthusiasm for this small oasis, and foreshadowed its success as a Victorian health spa. By the 1880s, the handful of initial townsfolk had grown to a bustling city of 10,000, and Eureka Springs had posh hotels, bathhouses and railroad service. When the popular belief in healing spring subsided in the early part of the 20 th century, Eureka Springs slid from its glory days as a top health resort, losing much of its massive population boom.

Although some of the Victorian boarding houses and buildings remained, many were torn down so the materials could be used elsewhere. Fortunately, the downtown area and its stunning limestone structures remained mostly intact. In the years following the Great Depression, Eureka Springs slowly began to regain steam as a tourism destination once more as artists and nature lovers discovered the ‘secret’ getaway. But the town’s reputation as an eclectic, historic destination took off in the 1970s and 80s, as the downtown area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and new homeowners began in earnest to preserve the unique architecture while opening bed and breakfasts, cottages, shops and restaurants.

Our communities:
Individuality and choice has always been important to Eurekans. That’s why people end up moving here, because they can choose the way they want to live. There are three different and distinct types of geographic lifestyle in the greater Eureka Springs area, depending on the amount of social interaction and atmosphere residents desire.

In-town/urban:
Urban living has a far different meaning in Eureka Springs than in, say, Chicago. But still, some folks like to live close to the action, and that’s what living in town gives you. Restaurants, festivals, shopping: it’s all within just five minutes. If you live in the downtown area, a brisk walk will get you cafes, restaurants and entertainment. For those who love to be around other people and stay in the middle of the excitement, living in town may be their best bet.

Secluded country living:
Quiet country mornings, beautiful vistas. Living out in the country surrounding Eureka brings peace of mind and space to think. There are several small communities in the area, from Busch, Grassy Knob and Inspiration Point to Beaver and Trigger Gap. Choose an area with a few neighbors, or pick the perfect spot away from everyone; it’s your choice. Nature lovers will find their heart’s desire in the country; build your dream home just a few minutes from a creek, river or lake and enjoy a fisherman’s paradise, or nestle down in a wooded valley and your mornings will fill with birdsong instead of car horns. The sounds of town—and the traffic—are far away, but you’re still just 15-20 minutes from the heart of downtown Eureka.

Holiday Island:
Holiday Island has a lot to offer, and is a good mix of the first two categories. Since Holiday Island is a planned community, residents can feel safe while having the conveniences of a connected water and sewer system. Neighborhoods run from friendly and busy to sparse and quiet. The area also has its own small shopping complex, with a grocery store, hardware store, sheriff’s substation and retail shops. (link to Retirement)

Climate:
Eureka Springs has a mild climate during all seasons. Temperatures average 38 degrees in winter; 58 degrees in spring; 76 degrees in summer and 60 degrees in fall. Depending on weather patterns, temperatures can drop as low as 25 degrees in winter, or rise to 90 degrees in summer. Snowfall averages 3 to 4 inches per storm system, usually in January and February, and melts quickly within a matter of days. Eureka’s weather averages 60 percent sunshine throughout the year.

Population:
As recorded by the 2000 census, the city of Eureka Springs is 2,278. This does not include outlying areas of Holiday Island, Hillspeak or Busch. Carroll County population is 25,357. For more details about the population of the state, region, and city, see Population Statistics.

Government/city services:
Eureka Springs is a Class I city with a Mayor-Alderman form of government, which oversees a multi-million dollar budget. Mayoral elections are held every four years, with each alderman elected to a two-year term.