Bella Vista, Arkansas

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,104 people, 12,396 households, and 8,792 families residing in the city.

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 16,582 people, 7,818 households, and 6,004 families residing in the community, which at the time was recorded as a census-designated place (CDP). The population density was 252.8 inhabitants per square mile (97.6/km²). There were 8,854 housing units at an average density of 135.0 per square mile (52.1/km²). 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% were 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.

Tanyard Creek falling from Lake Windsor in Bella Vista

Bella Vista has seven 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. No personal water crafts (AKA: Jet Skis) are allowed on any of the Bella Vista lakes, however, only 20 miles east of Bella Vista is Beaver Lake, a 31,700 acre US Army Corps of Engineers Lake, and Jet Skis are welcome there.

• Lake Ann is a 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 city. 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.
• 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.

Tanyard Creek

Lake Bella Vista, formerly part of Bella Vista, and the 1.8 mile walking/biking trail that goes around the lake is now part of the City of Bentonville Parks system. In the center of Bella Vista is the Tanyard Creek Nature Trail[9] below the Lake Windsor dam. It has a footbridge and some waterfalls except during dry times. In October 2016 the City of Bella Vista, with the cooperation of the Property Owners Association, opened 40 mi (64 km) of hiking and mountain bike trails entitled 'The Back 40' which is located on the east side of the city. The Little Sugar trail system, which was designed and built for mountain biking and opened in 2019, is located in the central part of the city and features approximately 50 mi (80 km) of trails. In July 2023, the Bella Vista Property Owners Association approved by a 7-1 vote the construction of 7 new trails. The trail Master Plan developed in 2015 shows 150 mi (240 km) of trails to be built by 2025.

Carroll Electric Cooperative provides electricity for Bella Vista residents.

Fire station off Trafalgar Road

The Bella Vista Fire Department is a career fire department with four fully staffed fire stations. There are three shifts with 16 career firefighters on each shift. The fire department also provides Advanced Life Support paramedic service to the city with six ambulances. In 2010, the department took control over the Bella Vista Ambulance Services.

Bella Vista Way (US 71) at the Lancashire Boulevard (AR 340) exit in Bella Vista

The final segment of Interstate 49 (I-49), which runs from Fort Smith, Arkansas to Kansas City, Missouri, was completed around Bella Vista on October 1, 2021.[16] The new route bypassed Bella Vista to the south and west, removing through traffic from Highway 71, which had seen increasing traffic congestion over the decades. I-49 has four exits providing access to Bella Vista: US 71 (Bella Vista Way), two exits with Highway 72, and Benton County Road 34 (CR 34, Rocky Dell Hollow Road).

Bella Vista Way is a four-lane controlled access divided highway that bisects the city from north to south. Two Arkansas state highways cross Bella Vista: Highway 279 (Forest Hills Boulevard) runs north-south from Gravette to Missouri, and Highway 340 (Lancashire Boulevard) from east to west from Highway 279 to Missouri. Almost all of the remaining street network in Bella Vista is laid out using a street hierarchy typical of large residential subdivisions, with hundreds of cul-de-sac streets.[17]

The POA provides water service to Bella Vista residents. The City of Bella Vista contracts with Republic Services for trash collection. There also are two semi-annual pick ups of large items.

A dump site had begun an underground fire in August 2018. In December 2018, health officials declared the air within a half-mile radius around the property was at unhealthy levels on one occasion. An emergency declaration was made by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.[18] The Bella Vista POA took over this project in early May 2019 and had the fire extinguished in less than 30 days.[19]

Village Waste Water provides sewer service to portions of Bella Vista.