For many years, the Twin Lakes Area has had an influx in retirees and families moving to Baxter County that were predominantly from the upper Midwest states.
Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas have been fueling the migration for decades, but there appears to be a new movement afoot.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States, the housing market has become red hot, creating a seller’s market in the Twin Lakes Area. Local Realtors cannot keep listings and are selling homes and land to clients — often sight unseen — as many Americans are seeking to escape the urban sprawl.
The question currently on the lips of current residents is, “Where are our new neighbors coming from?”
While there are no hard answers, clues are beginning to paint the picture.
The Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce serves as a recruiter for the Twin Lakes Area, for both business, tourists and those who choose to make Baxter County their home. Dani Pugsley, President and CEO of the Chamber, says new trends are emerging.
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Another tool that is providing a glimpse of what’s going on in the area is cell phone data. Pugsley recently encountered a representative of a company that compiles the data and learned some interesting facts.
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Currently, the demographics of who is moving Baxter County is also mysterious, but there are some indicators on that front as well. According to Dr. Jake Long, superintendent of Mountain Home Public Schools, enrollment in the district has remained flat during the school year, revealing those moving to the area are not bringing families.
Anecdotal evidence indicates “empty nesters” are moving to the Twin Lakes Area, meaning people without children in the home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age of a resident in the City of Mountain Home is 46, while Baxter County is 52, which indicates those moving are not necessarily senior citizens.
More concrete numbers will be available when the complete results of the 2020 U.S. Census are made available to cities and counties. Currently, only state data has been received and that indicates a 3 percent increase in population for Arkansas.
Pugsley says one thing is for sure, Mountain Home and Baxter County are growing.
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KTLO, Classic Hits & The Boot News will have more on economic development and defining the “identity” of Mountain Home coming up this week in our newscasts.
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