Arkansas city where first ever Walmart opened sees population boom
A quiet southern town has suddenly seen its population explode and it may all trace back to the moment it became known as the birthplace of the first-ever Walmart store.
Rogers, Arkansas , once a quiet Southern town known only for being the site of the first-ever Walmart store, is undergoing a major transformation with a population boom turning it into one of the fastest-growing cities in America. Located in Benton County, Rogers has seen a rapid influx of new residents.
The US Census Bureau ranked the Northwest Arkansas area as the 22nd fastest-growing metro in the nation. The population jumped from 591,895 people in 2023 to 605,615 in 2024 - with people lured by affordable real estate, strong schools, scenic parks and a thriving job market. It all started when the first-ever Walmart opened its doors on July 2, 1962 in Rogers – then called Wal-Mart Discount City.
Though that original store closed long ago, the company's footprint and influence remains strong in the region. Its corporate headquarters is located nearby in Bentonville and continues to shape the local economy and housing market. Mayor Greg Hines told Daily Mail the city is growing for all the right reasons. 'Rogers is seeing steady growth as more people choose to live and work here,' he said.
'They're drawn by job opportunities, strong schools, and access to parks and trails.' The first Walmart store opened here in 1962, and that moment 'shaped the direction of the city', he explained. 'It helped attract other businesses and laid the groundwork for long-term economic growth.' Today, new residents include remote workers, young families, and retirees, drawn to the mix of quaint neighborhoods, new developments and a lower cost of living than many coastal cities.
'Today, sectors like healthcare, retail, and manufacturing are driving the local economy,' he told Daily Mail. 'We're focused on planning for the future, investing in infrastructure, and quality of life initiatives to support a growing population and make sure Rogers stays a good place to live and work.'
Demographically, Rogers has grown more diverse in recent years. Census data shows the Hispanic population has surged, making up over 30 percent of the city's population.
The area also attracts a growing number of college-educated professionals and families looking for quality of life and career mobility. The market has something for everyone – from historic fixer-uppers under $200K, to custom lakefront mansions topping $2 million, to quaint vintage style mid-century homes.
A listing for a 4-bed, 3-bath modern farmhouse with a wraparound porch and mountain views priced at less than $400K - a steal compared to what it would cost in other more pricey states. The current Walmart store in Rogers which is located a few blocks from the original site, still draws in daily shoppers.
Today the company operates over 3,000 stores across the US and 1,607 abroad. Walmart did not respond to a request for comment. The Rogers Historical Museum is located just blocks from the site of the original Walmart and offers a glimpse into the city's transformation. The museum displays vintage photos, storefront recreations and shows how the once-sleepy railroad town became a booming retail hub.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Pensioners could be set for a £500 boost to state pension next year – here's why
Pensioners could be set for a boost from April next year, with the state pension looking set to rise by up to £538. That's because of the rules around the state pension triple lock and how recent economic data sets out the likelihood of a rise. At present, increases to the state pension are decided by either inflation, wage growth or 2.5 per cent – whichever is the highest. That is to ensure pensioners' income doesn't leave them trailing as living costs continue to increase – though with people living longer and the pension bill escalating rapidly, change is likely to come in the future. Employment data released on Wednesday shows the UK job market slightly cooling, with lower vacancies at present still counteracted by wage growth – one of the three factors dictating state pension payment changes. How much is the state pension and how much will it go up? Next month is when data around wages will count for 2026/27, so this month gives a good indication of where we are headed. Right now, the full new state pension is £230.25 a week, or £11,973 per year. But with inflation expected at 4 per cent across much of the rest of 2025 and pay growth easing back to 4.6 per cent, a rise of between 4.0 and 4.5 per cent is estimated to be the outcome. That equates to £478.92 extra at the lower end, and £538.79 at the higher end of the scale. Will I need to pay tax? However, with that rise in state pension income comes another dilemma for those receiving it: the potential for paying taxes they didn't previously need to. 'This isn't the crunch month for the triple lock, but we're not far off now. Total pay is up 4.6 per cent in the year to April-June, and it's the May-July figure that counts for the triple lock,' explained Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown. 'A rise of 4.0 to 4.5 per cent means the state pension would be between £12,451 and £12,512. This would bring it within touching distance of the personal allowance – so anyone with even a very modest personal pension income could end up paying income tax.' The standard Personal Allowance is £12,570, which is the amount of income you do not have to pay tax on, the government website notes. Beyond that figure – so receiving a full state pension would mean just an extra £59 – the basic tax rate would apply. That includes income from property, dividends, earnings or elsewhere. It's important to remember the tax would only be paid on the portion of income above the personal allowance threshold, not the entire amount. That also remains dependent on no changes to the tax threshold levels, the triple lock remaining in effect, and the Treasury backing the increase order during their March review. The numbers apply to the new state pension rather than the basic state pension, which is for those born before 1951 (men) or 1953 (women). 'The Bank of England expects inflation to ease in the coming months, so that by the time we get to the state pension rise in April next year, this increase might be well ahead of annual price rises at the time,' Ms Coles continued. 'Of course, this is only part of the picture. Inflation has been particularly focused on household bills and food prices, which pensioners on lower incomes spend a larger proportion of their income on. It means many of those who rely heavily on the state pension will be holding their breath for the rise in the spring.'
The Guardian
7 minutes ago
- The Guardian
US prices continued rise in July as Trump tariffs impact consumer costs
US prices continued to rise in July, according to key economic data released on Tuesday, as Donald Trump's international tariffs shakeup started to impact consumer costs. Prices were 2.7% higher last month compared with a year ago, according to the consumer price index (CPI), which measures the prices of a basket of goods and services. Though inflation dipped down in the spring, the annualized inflation rate jumped up 0.4% since April. Though the inflation rate stayed stable between June and July, core inflation, which excludes the volatile energy and food industries, went up 3.1% over the last month – a higher pace than what was seen in June. The report is the latest to show that the US economy is experiencing some turbulence from Trump's unparalleled shakeup of US trading policy, despite insistence from Republicans that the economy is 'firing on all cylinders'. On top of a 10% universal tariff on all imports, Trump has set higher tariffs for dozens of countries, including the US's top trading partners. On Monday, hours before a midnight deadline, Trump delayed enacting steep tariffs on China for another 90 days while negotiations continue. Although many of these tariffs only went into effect 7 August, Trump's 10% universal tariff, along with higher tariffs on certain industries like steel and aluminum, have been in effect since the spring. Economists say that it takes time for tariffs to show up in consumer prices. Some retailers have been stocking up their inventory to delay the impact of tariffs and keep prices stable. But the jump in prices suggests that companies have started to pass down costs to customers, as leaders of companies like Walmart, Nike and Macy's have said would happen. Tariffs have also hit the labor market harder than economists had anticipated. Data released earlier this month dramatically revised down job figures that initially showed a healthy job market. The government had reported 291,000 jobs were added to the economy in May and June, but the revision brought the total down to 33,000. The increase in prices and the shrinking labor market has thrown the US Federal Reserve into a tight spot. The Fed's twin mandate is to maximise employment while keeping inflation in check. Trump has lambasted the central bank, arguing it needs to cut rates interest rates in order to spur growth. But Fed officials have refrained from a rate adjustment, citing uncertainty about the impact of Trump's tariffs on prices. Trump has spent the last few months directing his ire at economic officials – first at the Fed, and now at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which collects and reports economic data. The White House cut BLS's budget, which has forced the agency to downsize its data collection and could ultimately impact the accuracy of its data on pricing and the labor market. Just hours after July's job figures report showed a sluggish month of job growth, Trump fired Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of BLS. Citing no evidence, Trump claimed that the job figures 'were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.' The move has alarmed some economists who said the move undermines the credibility of the institution.
Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Wall Street stunned as inflation defies odds on tariffs
For months, analysts have warned about major price spikes. They haven't happened yet. Pricing at American stores remained steady at 2.7 percent last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its July inflation report. Economists had predicted prices would rise 2.8 percent. It's the second straight month with the same reading. June's inflation report reflected a 2.7 percent price spike across the economy.
