Highfill is a town in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,587 as of the 2020 census.[3] It is home to the Northwest Arkansas National Airport, which serves all of the Northwest Arkansas region. In September 2023, officials of the airport voted to detach itself from the city over taxing and public service disputes.[4]

Highfill, Arkansas
City Hall
City Hall
Location of Highfill in Benton County, Arkansas.
Location of Highfill in Benton County, Arkansas.
Coordinates: 36°16′14″N 94°19′30″W / 36.27056°N 94.32500°W / 36.27056; -94.32500
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyBenton
Area
 • Total18.13 sq mi (46.94 km2)
 • Land18.02 sq mi (46.68 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.27 km2)
Elevation1,355 ft (413 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,587
 • Density88.06/sq mi (34.00/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
Area code479
FIPS code05-32200
GNIS feature ID0057923[2]
Websitewww.highfillar.com

Geography

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Highfill is located in west-central Benton County at 36°16′14″N 94°19′30″W / 36.27056°N 94.32500°W / 36.27056; -94.32500 (36.270483, -94.325093).[5] Arkansas Highway 12 passes through the town, leading northeast to Bentonville and Rogers and west to Gentry. The Northwest Arkansas National Airport occupies the eastern part of town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Highfill has a total area of 18.3 square miles (47.3 km2), of which 18.2 square miles (47.1 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.58%, is water.[3]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
196092
197080−13.0%
19809215.0%
199084−8.7%
2000379351.2%
201058353.8%
20201,587172.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 561 people, 191 households, and 153 families residing in the town. The population density was 12.9/km2 (33/sq mi). There were 165 housing units at an average density of 5.6/km2 (15/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 92.08% White, 5.28% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 1.32% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 144 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,854, and the median income for a family was $30,938. Males had a median income of $21,477 versus $21,705 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,701. About 5.3% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 29.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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The school in Highfill (constructed c. 1911) was consolidated into Gentry in 1948

Public education is available from these school districts based on resident's location:[8]

Dispute with XNA Airport

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In September 2023, the board of Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) voted to begin the process of detaching itself from the city of Highfill. The vote was unanimous among the board members present for the vote, while two board members were not present and did not vote.

Among the issues causing the dispute was the taxing of transactions at the airport. All airport transactions were subject to a Highfill city sales tax of 2%. Attorneys for the airport maintained that the airport property received no benefit from the city in regard to policing, firefighting, and road maintenance.

According to a new Arkansas law in 2023, the airport would be responsible for paying off city bonds if it chooses to finalize the detachment from the city.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Highfill, Arkansas
  3. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Highfill town, Arkansas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Northwest Arkansas National Airport seeks to fly on its own as board votes to leave Highfill | Arkansas Democrat Gazette". September 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Benton County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "22/23 Elementary Attendance Areas" (PDF). Bentonville School District. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022. - Linked from here
  10. ^ "22/23 Middle School Attendance Areas" (PDF). Bentonville School District. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022. - Linked from here
  11. ^ "22/23 Junior High School Attendance Areas" (PDF). Bentonville School District. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022. - Linked from here
  12. ^ "22/23 High School Attendance Areas" (PDF). Bentonville School District. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022. - Linked from here
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