Northwest Arkansas' foreign-born population has grown significantly in the past several years. As seen in a recent study, in 2014, immigrants made up 25 percent of the total population in Springdale, 19.5 percent in Rogers, 13.5 percent in Bentonville, and 7.4 percent in Fayetteville. Between 2009 and 2014, the foreign-born population of Washington County as a whole grew by 42 percent. At that rate of growth, the foreign-born population in Fayetteville is expected to rise as high as 20% by 2022. 

Foreign-born residents of our community contribute to every sector of our economy, and more than 10 percent (as of 2014) were self-employed entrepreneurs. In addition, the international student population is growing as a result of the University of Arkansas' recruitment efforts and we hope to welcome them and their families to stay as potential workforce in our rapidly growing economy. 

We realize the value that new Americans bring to our economy: more jobs, more contributions, more businesses, and a well-educated demographic, and the City of Fayetteville is committed to making intentional efforts to integrate and include new Americans.

Working toward that goal, in 2017 the City worked closely with Welcoming America, and other organizations to develop and adopt a Welcoming Fayetteville Plan. The Plan lays out recommendations for strategies for the inclusion and integration of new Americans in our community, so that we can help break down barriers and make everyday life easier for those who are new to our country.