Bella Vista is a city[1] in Benton County, Arkansas. During and prior to the 2000 census, Bella Vista was a census-designated place (CDP), with a total population of 16,582 in 2000. It previously was the largest unincorporated community in the state of Arkansas; however, in November 2006 it voted to incorporate and form a municipality. The Bella Vista Property Owners Association estimates that there are currently 24,000 residents in the community, which covers about 65 square miles (168 km²). The town has two USPS ZIP codes: 72714 on the east side and 72715 on the west side. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
First established in 1965, the village is located on U.S. Route 71 at the end of Interstate 540 between Bentonville and the Missouri state line. Although originally primarily an affluent retirement community, recent growth includes many young couples and families. Prior to incorporation, Bella Vista was "governed" by its Property Owners Association, a private organization performing all the normal functions of a local government.
Recreation
Tanyard Creek falling from
Lake Windsor Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Bella Vista has eight lakes. These lakes are not "public" in that only members of the community or their guests are permitted to use them. Lake Ann, Lake Windsor, and Lake Loch Lomond are the largest all-sports lakes in the town. Lake Avalon, Lake Norwood, and Lake Rayburn are primarily fishing lakes with "no wake" restrictions. Current POA boat permits are required as are Arkansas fishing licenses, when fishing Bella Vista lakes.
- Lake Ann is an all-water sport lake with 112.5 acres (0.455 km2) of surface area. Because it is 53.5 feet (16.3 m) deep with no power limit, water skiing is allowed on Lake Ann.
- Lake Windsor is the second largest of the lakes, covering 220 acres (0.89 km2) with a maximum depth of 79.5 feet (24.2 m). Lake Windsor is also an unlimited power lake, and water skiing is allowed.
- Loch Lomond is the largest of all the lakes in the Village. It is 80 feet (24 m) deep and covers 477 acres (1.93 km2). There is no power limit, skiing is allowed, and boat rental is offered.
- Lake Avalon is a limited-power lake that features an enclosed, heated fishing dock located off Tamworth Circle. This lake covers 67 acres (270,000 m2) and is 50 feet (15 m) deep.
- Lake Brittany is 77 feet (23 m) deep, has a 35-acre (140,000 m2) surface area and is a limited-power lake. Although there is currently no launching ramp, the terrain is suitable for launching.
- Lake Norwood, located just north of Bella Vista's Town Center, has 34.5 acres (140,000 m2) of surface area and is 75 feet (23 m) deep. The Lake Norwood launching ramp is located north of Harp's Food Store in Town Center. This is a limited-power lake.
- Lake Rayburn is 60 feet (18 m) deep and has a 47-acre (190,000 m2) surface area. This lake has limited power regulations. It also features a designated swimming area and a launching ramp that is accessible from Lakeside Drive.
- Lake Bella Vista is located just off Highway 71. This lake covers 22 acres (89,000 m2) and is 8 feet (2.4 m) deep.
Golf course in Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Tanyard Creek in Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Bella Vista Lake has a 1.8-mile (2.9 km) long walking/biking trail that goes around the lake. (The trail, however, is actually maintained by the City of Bentonville.) Tanyard Creek is another walking trail off Lake Windsor in the center of the village. It has a footbridge and some waterfalls except during dry times.
Geography
Bella Vista is located at 36°27'50" North, 94°16'16" West (36.463850, -94.270974).[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 171.9 km² (66.4 mi²). 169.9 km² (65.6 mi²) of it was land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (1.19%) was water.
Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 16,582 people, 7,818 households, and 6,004 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 97.6/km² (252.8/mi²). There are 8,854 housing units at an average density of 52.1/km² (135.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.87% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.01% of the population.
There were 7,818 households out of which 13.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.4% are married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.38.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 12.3% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 41.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 61 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,090, and the median income for a family was $48,233. Males had a median income of $34,547 versus $24,690 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,406. About 1.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under the age of 18 and 1.0% of those 65 and older.
Government
Property Owners Association in the town center
Bella Vista's Declarations and Protective Covenants[4] is the "rule book" that governs the village. The Property Owners Association must follow this "rule book" composed of various articles. There are Class A and Class B members of Bella Vista Village. Class B refers to Cooper who gets 10 votes per lot owned and Class A refers to lots owners who receive one vote per lot owned. However, Cooper now owns too few lots to sway the vote. Both Class A and class B members must approve a vote before it is binding.
The POA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors who serve three-year terms. They set the direction and long-term objectives for the POA guided by the village’s declarations and protective covenants. The day-to-day activity of the POA is directed by its general manager, with division heads and site managers responsible for the various departments and facilities throughout the village.
Public safety
New fire station off Trafalgar Rd.
The Bella Vista Fire Department logged 454 incidents in 2005. Total fire loss for 2005 in Bella Vista was $216,700, due to a $208,000 building fire and an $8,700 vehicle fire.
Infrastructure
The POA provides water and sanitation (trash pick-up) service to Bella Vista residents. There also are two semi-annual pick ups of large items. Carroll Electric Cooperative provides electricity for Bella Vista residents. Phone service is provided by SBC, and cable television is provided by Cox Communications. Village Waste Water provides sewer service to portions of Bella Vista.
Economy
Travel to Bella Vista and the surrounding areas increases greatly in the summertime. There are lots of vacation rental homes in the village as well as a fishing, golfing and watersports economy that comes alive every year.[citation needed] National Recreational Properties is currently advertising Bella Vista in television infomercials. Actor Erik Estrada is their spokesman.
Education
There are two school districts serving the village. On the east side the Bentonville School District [5] and on the west side Gravette School District. [6] Also serving the village is a private preschool, Bella Vista Montessori Academy.[7] New to the village is Cooper Elementry part of the Bentonville District, It serves school to half of Bella Vista's K-4 population. http://portal.bentonville.k12.ar.us/CES/default.aspx
Transportation
Infrastructure issues currently exist for Bella Vista, where traffic levels are quickly increasing. Google provides a map [8] showing the spur route Interstate 540 in Arkansas and the Interstate-standard US 71 in Missouri, which will eventually connect to become part of a long planned future Interstate 49. Some local refer to this as a western bypass or bypass of the current US 71 that runs through Bella Vista. Many in Arkansas and Missouri, especially truckers, are desperate to see the highway fully connected and flowing due to current traffic congestion. On April 13, 2006 the AR Highway Commission approved the use of Tolls to finance construction.[9]
Notable residents
References
External links
