Rural living is becoming increasingly attractive across the nation. The statistics show that 66% of Americans would consider moving to a rural area if telecommuting were an option. Searcy County, Arkansas, stands out as a top destination. As the only rural county in Arkansas with net population growth over the last decade, it draws new residents with its natural beauty, strong community spirit, entrepreneurial culture, affordable housing, and expanding broadband for remote work.

Communities Unlimited (CU) supports this trend through its “Relocation Rural” initiative, showcasing success stories like Searcy County. Despite decades of poverty and population decline, the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce, led by Executive Director Darryl Treat, shifted the narrative 12 years ago by focusing on the county’s strengths, particularly through social media.

“I joined the Chamber 12 years ago, and we had to address the challenges of being one of Arkansas’s poorest counties with a declining population,” Treat said. “We chose to accentuate the positives.”

With nearly 8,000 residents, the Chamber’s efforts have boosted local pride, encouraged residents to stay, and drawn back those who had left. This positive messaging, combined with the rise of remote work, has made Searcy County an appealing choice for newcomers.

The Chamber’s collaboration with local governments has been key to these successes. “Our alignment with local governments is one of our biggest advantages,” Treat said.

Searcy County is not just about scenic views and essential services — it’s also a hub for entrepreneurs, with local businesses ranging from healthcare to retail. Visitors and residents enjoy cabins, local dining, and outdoor activities on the Buffalo National River. The county’s diverse economy includes timber, manufacturing, and more.

With a low cost of living, supportive schools, and a close-knit community, Searcy County offers an appealing lifestyle. The Buffalo River, which drew 1.5 million visitors in 2023, further highlights the area’s appeal. Searcy County’s success is a testament to the potential for growth and renewal in rural America, and CU proudly supports these efforts.

In a multi-part series, we explore Searcy County’s history, tracing its journey from early struggles to recent successes. This transformation serves as an inspiring example for rural communities nationwide.

Searcy County Part 1:

Searcy County, Arkansas, is located in the north-central part of the state within the Ozark Mountains. It borders Boone County to the north, Newton County to the west, Van Buren County to the south, and Marion County to the northeast. The county seat, Marshall, is situated along U.S. Highway 65, a major route connecting the area to the rest of Arkansas.

Other communities in Searcy County include Pindall, Saint Joe, Gilbert, Leslie, and Witts Springs. A prominent feature is the Buffalo National River, which flows through its western part. Despite its natural beauty, Searcy County has long been one of the most impoverished in Arkansas, with a declining population.

The history of Searcy County is as rugged as its landscape. Settled in 1838 by pioneers moving westward from Tennessee, the county quickly gained a reputation for its challenging terrain. It was named after Richard Searcy, a pioneer in the Arkansas Territory. According to Treat, the early settlers faced a tough and unforgiving land.

The Civil War brought devastation to the county. “Searcy County saw some skirmishes, but many men went off to fight on both the Confederate and Union sides,” Treat said. Renegades and bushwhackers preyed on those who remained, and in the chaos, both the county courthouse and the marshal’s office were burned to the ground. “It was a bleak place back then,” Treat said.

After the war, Searcy County began to recover, and by 1890, the population had grown to over 9,600 people. Treat shared a personal connection to this era, noting that his great-great-grandfather served as county judge from 1886 to 1890. “In the 2020 census, we had a little less than 8,000, so we had quite a bit more people back then than we do today,” Treat said.

In the early 20th century, Searcy County experienced a brief period of prosperity driven by the barrel-making industry in Leslie. Treat explained that the area’s abundance of white oak timber attracted the H.D. Williams Company to establish a cooperage in Leslie, which was reputed to be the largest wood-processing factory in the world at the time. The barrels produced in Leslie were even shipped to France, marking a time when international business flowed out of this small Arkansas county.

By then, the population in Searcy County was soaring by the decade. It increased to nearly 12,000 by 1900 and peaked at 14,825 by 1910.

However, as Treat noted, “Prohibition reduced the need for barrels. White oak timber grows very slowly… eventually, the supply ran out.” The decline of the barrel industry led to the closure of the factory and the railroad, which had been vital to the county’s economy. By the early 1940s, Searcy County found itself without a railroad, one of the few counties in Arkansas in such a position. The population dwindled to 10,424 by 1950.

As the county grappled with the loss of the barrel industry, it briefly found hope in strawberries. Treat noted that for a period, Searcy County proudly referred to itself as the strawberry capital of the world. The strawberry industry brought seasonal prosperity, with over a thousand acres under cultivation, but it was not to last. “As labor laws changed and family sizes shrank, it became harder to bring in the labor needed, and eventually, we lost the industry to Florida and California,” Treat said.

The 1960s presented another turning point when the federal government proposed dams on the Buffalo River, which could have brought economic growth to the region. Instead of dams, Searcy County received the Buffalo National River designation. Treat lamented that regardless of whether a lake or a national river was established, the community would have lost land. However, with the creation of the National River, the county lost much of its most valuable farmland. The promised economic benefits never materialized. “The Park Service reports only about 800 jobs, far short of that original prediction of 3,500,” Treat said.

Searcy County attempted to diversify its economy by entering the garment industry and building a shirt factory in the 1960s. Treat recalled that at its height, the garment industry provided jobs for hundreds of people in Marshall. However, the introduction of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) led to the downfall of this local industry. Now, the once-bustling factory stands empty, and the population fell to 7,731 by the 1970s.

Today, with a population of 7,806, the economy of Searcy County is primarily based on cattle and tourism. Despite having 48 miles of the Buffalo National River, the tourism sector supports only 118 direct jobs. Treat pointed out that even though the county is home to the Buffalo National River, often considered the state’s “crown jewel,” the average weekly wages in the area ($718) are still less than half the national average of $1,435, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A few years ago, Searcy County held the unfortunate distinction of ranking last out of all 75 counties in Arkansas for weekly wages, a position it has since traded back and forth with neighboring Newton County. Searcy County remains near the bottom in Arkansas, currently ranked 73rd, with Newton County just behind at 74th.

“People often tell us how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place, and we are thankful for that, but it doesn’t pay the bills,” Treat said.

Even before joining the Chamber 12 years ago, Treat was aware of the significant challenges Searcy County faced, especially in attracting jobs. He pointed out that the lack of interstate access, natural gas, and key institutions like hospitals or colleges were substantial barriers to the county’s economic growth.

But Treat’s deep connection to Searcy County fuels his commitment to its future.

Treat explained that the Chamber operates as an entirely volunteer-run organization, with no one receiving a salary due to a lack of funds. Given the economic challenges in the county, they can’t impose high fees on local businesses, so everyone contributes their time without compensation.

Searcy County’s history is defined by resilience. Despite challenges from its rugged terrain and the loss of key industries, the county has persisted. Treat’s dedication to improving its prospects embodies this enduring community.

“When you’re behind, you have to run harder,” Treat concluded, encapsulating the spirit of a community determined to carve out a better future, no matter the odds.