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As you hear someone moving to Fort Smith, Arkansas, you may ask what’s special there is that a lot many people are relocating here in recent years.

The third-largest city in the state and a part of Sebastian County, Fort Smith is a hot spot for young professionals for its job options, lifestyle, economy, and plentiful fun options. And if you still have doubts about it or want to know more about the city, we’ve got a fabulous Fort \smith moving guide which covers everything about the city.

Prepared after detailed research, it analyzes what’s best in Fort Smith and why moving here is a great opportunity for you.

Let’s walk ahead to learn every fact about Fort Smith in detail. I bet after reading this, you’ll know the city in and out.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Fort Smith Arkansas

  • Fort Smith was established as a western frontier military post in 1817
  • Fort Smith's name comes from General Thomas Adams Smith, who commanded the United States Army Rifle Regiment in 1817
  • The first women in the South voted in Fort Smith in February 1917
  • The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith started as Fort Smith Junior College in 1928
  • The leader of the first black orchestra to play live on the radio, Alphonso Trent was a Fort Smith native
  • On April 21, 1996, a large tornado destroyed and heavily damaged much of historic downtown Fort Smith around the Garrison Avenue Bridge

Top 10 things to know before moving to Fort Smith, AR

  • The living cost is lower in Fort Smith.
  • The city is one of the best centers of high-class education.
  • The city is highly diverse.
  • A booming and diverse economy means there are plenty of jobs here.
  • Crime is a major blot on the city’s achievements.
  • Fort Smith has a poverty rate of 17% of residents, much higher than most US cities.
  • Despite the diversity, a majority of the population is White.
  • Low traffic means driving is easier on Fort Smith roads.
  • There are plenty of open spaces and neighborhood parks here.
  • The nightlife is vibrant and energetic here.

What's the Population of Fort Smith, AR?

About 89,116 persons reside in Fort Smith, which means 1,392.97/sq mi. Fort Smith Metro Area has a population of 279,974, which makes it the 165th most populous in the US. About 15.8% of the population is below the poverty line. The number of people per household here is 2.5.

We’ve got a quick breakdown of the Fort Smith population.

  • The total population of the city is 89,116.
  • The population is made up of 48.7% males and 51.3% females.
  • The median age in Fort Smith is 35.9.
  • The city population is made up of 60.4% White, 9.6% Black or African American, 5.9% Asian, and 4.3% from two or more races.
  • About 18.8% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • The median household size in Fort Smith is 2.5 persons.
  • About 49.2% of the residents are married couples living together.
  • On average, 21.0% of the residents are single and have children.

How fast can you commute to Fort Smith, AR?

One of the best things about Fort Smith is the low traffic on the road. As a result; you spend less time on signals and will be at the office and back at home faster than in any city in the country. The average one-way commute here takes 16.3 minutes, much shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

As you may be interested to know more about commuting in Fort Smith, here are a few facts.

  • About 80.9% drive their car alone
  • About 12.5% carpool with others
  • About 2.2% work from home
  • Approximately 0.5% take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Fort Smith, AR.

What is the weather like in Fort Smith, AR?

As you are now serious about relocating to Fort Smith, it is natural to be curious about the climate. The city has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Snowfall can occasionally occur during winter months but is usually light.

We’ve got a few climate facts about Fort Smith.

  • Fort Smith receives about 48 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • The city averages 4 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, Fort Smith gets 4 inches of snow per year. U.S. average is 28 inches
  • On average, Fort Smith gets about 214 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 89 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
move to Fort Smith

Top reasons to move to Fort Smith, AR

You would have noticed that a lot of people are moving to Fort Smith in recent years and would’ve wondered about the reasons.

So here are a couple of reasons to pack the bags to Fort Smith.

  • High-quality living
  • Affordability
  • Low property tax
  • Good lifestyle
  • Thriving job market
  • Good public transport
  • Minimal traffic congestion
  • Peaceful atmosphere
pros and cons of Fort Smith

Pros & Cons of Moving to Fort Smith, AR

As now you’ve decided to pack your bags, it is also crucial to know that Fort Smith has got its share of cons just as the pros.

To help you, we’ve collated both the pros and cons of moving to Fort Smith to help you analyze both and make the final call.

The pros
  • Occupation diversity
  • Low cost of living
  • Low property tax
  • Low wildfire and volcanic hazard risk
  • Quality education
  • Low traffic
  • High government spending
  • High LGBT-friendly people
The cons
  • High sales & property tax
  • Low house ownership rate
  • Wet weather
  • High crime rate
  • High poverty rate

Best neighborhoods in Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith is the third-largest in Arkansas and when you think about moving here, you would want to stay in a safer and decent neighborhood.

Being a big city, Fort Smith has no shortage of good neighborhoods to call you home. To help you we’ve collated the 10 best neighborhoods you can filter out your pick.

Here are the top 10 best neighborhoods in Fort Smith

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
1. Creekmore Park $1,485 $344,424
2. Fort Chaffee $1,529 $335,929
3. Downtown Fort Smith $1,136 $111,893
4. Southside $1,830 $227,647
5. Massard $1,200 $268,037
6. Mill Creek $1,294 $246,318
7. Eastside $1,465 $199,853
8. Bashe/Cavanaugh $1,551 $169,662
9. South Fort Smith $954 $103,510
10. Northside $1,250 $126,185

Tip:When you’ve got a home to move in Fort Smith, AR, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Cost of living in Fort Smith, AR

The cost of living is a major factor in making the final call on moving. Fortunately, Fort Smith is more affordable in terms of groceries, housing, health and utilities, and transport than most US cities.

Here, the cost of living is 75.0. And to give you a good idea about the living cost, we’ve got the latest stats.

Living Expense Jonesboro Arkansas National Average
Overall 75 77.5 100
Grocery 93.7 92.7 100
Health 93.7 92.1 100
Housing 44.8 49.8 100
Median Home Cost $155,000 $181,800 $338,100
Utilities 94.8 95.6 100
Transportation 73.4 81.6 100
Miscellaneous 88.5 74.5 100
Job Market

How is the job market in Fort Smith, AR?

Despite Fort Smith boasting of being a job hub with a booming and diverse economy, the job growth is negative for the past couple of years.

But that doesn’t mean that finding a good job with a decent salary is impossible here. If your reason for moving to Fort Smith is a job, you will find one without much difficulty.

To help you know more about the jobs in Fort Smith, here are a few job stats.

  • Fort Smith records a negative job growth.
  • Jobs have decreased by 1.6% over the past year.
  • The average salary in Fort Smith is $36,777.
  • The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6%, much lower than the national average of 6.0%.

Let’s take a look at the simple breakdown of Fort Smith’s job market.

Employment Information Fort Smith, Arkansas United States
The income per Cap $23,650 $31,177
Household Income $36,532 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 4.6 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -3.92% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 21.69% 33.51%

Fastest growing jobs in Fort Smith, AR

The city boasts a diverse and strong economy that contributes to plenty of jobs. And when you have a list of the fastest growing jobs here, you’ll get an idea about the job market here. Knowing this, we’ve filtered down a list of the 10 fastest-growing jobs here.

Here are the 10 fastest-growing jobs in Fort Smith.

Rank Job Title Average salary Growth
1 Physical therapist assistant $57,410 142.9%
2 Nurse practitioner $89,860 137.1%
3 Occupational therapist $80,820 130.9%
4 Physical therapist $77,040 127.9%
5 Phlebotomist $27,010 123.2%
6 Medical assistant $30,160 121.8%
7 Speech-language pathology internship $70,440 116.5%
8 Computer numerical controller machinist $36,770 113.5%
9 Business analyst $67,600 112.7%
10 Industrial mechanic $46,780 111.4%

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Top career options in Fort Smith, AR?

When you’ve almost made up your mind to move to Fort Smith, it is good to know the top career options here. This will help you in filtering down the best jobs here, which means those with good pay slips.

Let’s take a look at the top-paying jobs in Fort Smith, AR

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry level salary
1 Family and General Practitioners $253,270 $148,970
2 Physicians, surgeons, & all others $206,840 $85,250
3 Dentists, general $161,860 $80,060
4 Chief executives $124,630 $19,930
5 Pharmacists $115,870 $85,620
6 Architectural and Engineering Managers $106,720 $65,980
7 Personal financial advisors $106,650 $47,140
8 Nurse practitioners $104,180 $82,810
9 Computer and Information Systems Managers $98,770 $62,620
10 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates $93,810 $34,260

What's the average salary & income in Fort Smith, AR?

Having an idea about the average salary of a place where you intend to relocate will help you calculate your income and plan your future life. As your new moving destination is Fort Smith, we thought of giving the details to help you make the final call on the moving plan. Normally, the average salary may vary based on the company, job type, and proficiency, but certain basic factors can help you assume your future earnings. Knowing how curious you are to know them, we’ve got the updated salary stats.

  • Fort Smith’s average annual pay for average jobs is $39,000 a year
  • Fort Smith’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $19 an hour
  • Fort Smith’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $962 per week
  • Fort Smith’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $3,250 per month
  • Fort Smith’s top earners (90th percentile) make $78,000 annually

Major industries in Fort Smith, Arkansas

As you are on the last leg of moving to Fort Smith, knowing the major businesses in the city will help you know whether jobs suiting your profile are available. And knowing this, we’ve got a list of major industries in Fort Smith and neighboring areas.

  • Wood & paper products
  • Food processing
  • Recreation and tourism
  • Construction

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith is an economic hub and it is home to plenty of companies that you can join. And we know you love working at companies that are employee friendly and promise a fabulous working atmosphere. Luckily, the city has many such companies from which we’ve picked 10 for you.

Here are the best companies in Fort Smith to work at.

  • Cooper Clinic
  • ABB Motors and Drives US
  • Beverly Healthcare LLC
  • ArcBest
  • Wingfoot Commercial Tire systems
  • Vantage Healthcare Corp
  • Gamut
  • KMAC
  • Spectra Healthcare Alliance Inc
  • Cloyes Gear and Products Inc

How is the housing market of Fort Smith, AR?

The real estate in Fort Smith is affordable when you compare it to most US cities. Despite the growing economy and affluent infrastructure, you can own one here without burning a hole in the pocket. A house here cost approximately $155,000 and the home appreciation here is up by 13.6%. About 40% of the residents here stay in rented homes and 2.6% homes in the city are available to rent.

Here are a few more points about the housing market in Fort Smith.

  • Fort Smith’s median home cost is $155,000.
  • The median age of Fort Smith real estate is 43 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 62.4%.
  • Renters make up 40.4% of the Fort Smith population.
  • About 2.6% of houses and apartments in Fort Smith are available to rent.

Average rental prices in Fort Smith

Your initial days at Fort Smith will be at a rented accommodation and the home rental will be a major factor in determining your earning. While it is not easy to give an exact amount as the home rental is based on many factors including the home size, locality, and facilities, we’ve got a few points that may give you an approximate idea about the home rental in Fort Smith.

  • Fort Smith’s average rent for a studio apartment is $630
  • Fort Smith’s average rent for 1-bedroom home or apartment is $640
  • Fort Smith’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $840
  • Fort Smith’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,160
  • Fort Smith’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,340

What are taxes like in Fort Smith?

You need to know the tax deductions in Fort Smith before you leave here as the cuts determine the amount you take home every month.

Your take-home amount is greatly based on the taxes the authorities levy here. And when you know the common tax cuts, you will be able to determine whether relocating to Fort Smith will be a wise decision.

Take a look at the tax cuts in Fort Smith.

  • The sales tax rate for Fort Smith is 9.6%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The Income Tax Rate for Fort Smith is 6.9%. The US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Fort Smith is 0.57%
  • The average income of a Fort Smith resident is $39,000 a year. The US average is $28,555 a year.

What are the best things to do in Fort Smith, AR?

Fort Smith is amazingly splendid, leaving no shortage of outdoor fun.

Moving here, your weekends will be packed with fun and adventure. The city boasts of its unique history and character and will keep you and your family busy. We’ve filtered out the 10 best things to do in Fort Smith

  • Spend time at Fort Smith National Historic Site
  • Grab a beer at Fort Smith Brewing Company
  • Hang out at a vintage-style amusement park
  • Get Outdoors at Creekmore Park
  • Pay respects at Fort Smith National Cemetery
  • Take a tour of the Clayton House
  • Splash around at Parrot Island Waterpark
  • Stroll through the Belle Grove Historic District
  • Visit the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
  • Check out Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center

How safe is Fort Smith, AR?

Fort Smith ranks high in many areas, including lifestyle, fun, education, and job. However, when it comes to safety, the rankings are in favor. As per the latest records, the crime rate in Fort Smith is much higher than in most US cities. The city is safer than just 1% of the US cities and your chance of being a crime victim is much higher than in most Arkansas cities.

Take a look at the updated crime stats in Fort Smith, AR

  • The rate of crime in Fort Smith is 11.12 per 1,000 residents during a standard year.
  • The violent crime rate in Fort Smith is 40.5. The U.S. average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Fort Smith is 75.6. The U.S. average is 35.4
  • Fort Smith is safer than 1% of US cities.
  • Residents have a 1 in 90 chance of being the victim of a violent crime.
  • Residents have a 1 in 18 chance of being the victim of a property crime.

Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

What are the top schools in Fort Smith, AR?

One of the best things about Fort Smith is the quality of education here.

Fortunately for those who prefer moving here with the family, the education of the children will not be a concern; the city is home to many good schools within the boundaries. And we’ve listed the best ones for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

With amazing infrastructure, a high standard of education, plenty of jobs, and low traffic, Fort Smith is a good place to raise a family. There are plenty of open spaces, parks, and landscapes here to relax on a weekend and the food scene is stunning.

Compared to many cities in the US, Fort Smith’s cost of living is much lower, which is $1295. While Fort Smith is the 415th largest city in the country, its cost of living is 2176th which means you will be able to raise a family here without much difficulty.

You may know that monthly electric bills are a product of your consumption of electricity per month and your electric rate. In Fort Smith, AR, the average monthly electric bill for residential customers is $230/month, which is calculated by multiplying the average monthly consumption by the average electric rate.

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