Conway by the Numbers

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce partners with other organizations to improve the lives of local residents. (Conway Area Chamber of Commerce)

A Growing Community

Faulkner County: In March of 2024, the Census Bureau announced that Faulkner County grew by 1.9% in 2023. That was the second fastest rate in Arkansas (Benton 2.7%, Washington 1.9%).

Conway: In May of 2023, the Census Bureau announced that Conway had grown 2.5% in 2022. That was the fastest rate of growth in Arkansas (Rogers 2.2%, Fayetteville 2%).

Top Faulkner County Industries

Educated Workforce

Known as the City of Colleges, Conway is home to three higher education institutions, all of which have been in the city since the late 1800s and produce graduates who stay in the area and enter the workforce.

25 or older possess a bachelor’s degree or higher (National Average: 34.3%)

High school graduation rate (National Average: 89.1%)

A Growing and Diverse Economy

From 2018 to 2023, jobs increased by 6.2% in Faulkner County, going from 47,969 to 50,963. This change outpaced the national growth rate of 3.6% by 2.6%. As the number of jobs increased, the labor force participation rate increased from 61.4% to 63%. The Arkansas labor force participation rate is 57.4%.

Accolades

• In February, Conway was awarded the Bike Friendly Silver designation from the League of American Bicyclists. This makes Conway the most bike-friendly city in Central Arkansas and one of only three cities in the state with a Gold or Silver designation.

• In 2023, Kiplinger’s Financial ranked Conway as the #8 “Most Affordable” city in the United States.

Largest Employers

• Conway Regional Health System — 1,760
• University of Central Arkansas — 1,600
• Acxiom — 1,500
• Conway Public School District — 1,249
• Conway Human Development Center — 900
• Walmart — 825
• Virco — 600
• Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway — 584
• Nabholz — 550
• City of Conway — 550