Living in Cave Springs, Arkansas
Cave Springs is a small town with a big draw: Bentonville schools, quiet neighborhoods, a protected spring-fed lake in the middle of town, and a five-mile drive to the airport. It sits right between Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale, and it’s one of the fastest-growing communities in Northwest Arkansas.
One of NWA’s fastest-growing towns
Cave Springs had just 1,729 residents at the 2010 census. By 2014 the Census Bureau estimated about 2,455. The 2020 census counted 5,495, more than triple the 2010 count, and the 2025 estimate is 6,701. Regional planners project the city could reach roughly 16,000 people by 2050.
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 (census) | 1,729 | |
| 2014 (estimate) | 2,455 | |
| 2020 (census) | 5,495 | |
| 2025 (estimate) | 6,701 |
Most of that growth is newer single-family neighborhoods, and Cave Springs consistently ranks among the highest home values and household incomes in Arkansas. Niche ranks it among the best suburbs in the state.
Schools
Most of Cave Springs is in the Bentonville School District, one of the strongest in Arkansas. A smaller part of town is zoned to Rogers Public Schools. Typical Bentonville assignments for Cave Springs addresses:
| School | Grades | GreatSchools |
|---|---|---|
| Evening Star Elementary (most of town) | K–4 | 9/10 |
| Central Park at Morning Star (some areas) | K–4 | 8/10 |
| Bright Field Middle School | 5–6 | 9/10 |
| J. William Fulbright Junior High (most of town) | 7–8 | 9/10 |
| Grimsley Junior High (western areas) | 7–8 | 9/10 |
| Bentonville West High (western areas) | 9–12 | 9/10 |
| Bentonville High School (most of town) | 9–12 | #3 in AR* |
*SchoolDigger statewide rank among 305 high schools. Ratings as of October 2026 and subject to change. Cave Springs and Rogers swapped some land in 2024, and the district line runs through town, so always confirm the zoned schools for a specific address. I’m happy to check any home for you.
Parks, nature & the outdoors
In town
- Illinois River Watershed Sanctuary: 30 free acres around spring-fed Lake Keith on Main Street, with trails, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding, a learning center, and bat viewing at dusk from March through October
- Cave Springs Cave Natural Area: a 57-acre state natural area with a 1.45-mile loop trail past the cave, home to the largest known population of the rare Ozark cavefish
- The Creeks Golf & RV Resort, with neighborhoods built around the course
- A bike connection to the Razorback Greenway from the sanctuary’s North Shore Pavilion
A short drive away
- Lake Atalanta and the Railyard Bike Park in Rogers
- Bentonville’s trail system, Coler Preserve and Crystal Bridges
- Beaver Lake and Hobbs State Park
- Lake Fayetteville and Devil’s Den State Park to the south
Families & youth activities
Cave Springs is a family town. About a third of residents are under 18, and more than half of households have children. Kids here have access to:
- Bentonville Schools athletics, arts and activities, including 35 sports at Bentonville West
- Outdoor education, fishing and nature programs at the Watershed Sanctuary and learning center
- Cave Springs Days every September, the town’s festival, which draws up to 5,000 visitors
- Everything in Rogers and Bentonville within about 15 minutes: the Rogers Aquatics Center, Scott Family Amazeum, youth sports leagues and more
Amenities & location
- XNA airport is about 5 miles west, so it’s one of the easiest commutes for frequent travelers
- Bentonville is 8 miles north, Lowell and J.B. Hunt’s headquarters 6 miles east, and Fayetteville 16 miles south
- Pinnacle Hills and the Walmart AMP in Rogers are about 10 minutes away
- A small, walkable downtown along Main Street (Highway 112)
Shopping & dining
Cave Springs keeps a small-town feel, so most big shopping happens nearby at Pinnacle Hills Promenade and along I-49 in Rogers. In town you’ll find local spots along Main Street and East Lowell Avenue, including:
- Pastafina Italian Restaurant: a longtime local favorite
- May’s Street Wok and Cave on Main downtown
- Nelson’s Hardware & Supplies, a Cave Springs fixture
Community & organizations
- City of Cave Springs: a mayor-council city that hosts Cave Springs Days each fall
- Illinois River Watershed Partnership: runs the sanctuary and learning center
- Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission: protects the cave and its rare cavefish, gray bats and Ozark trillium
- Local congregations including Lakeview Baptist Church, plus easy access to the Rogers-Lowell and Greater Bentonville chambers
Community profile
Cave Springs is a young, family-focused community, with a median age in the mid-30s. It’s smaller and less diverse than its larger neighbors. At the 2020 census, about 82% of residents were white (non-Hispanic), 6% Hispanic or Latino, 7% multiracial, and about 2% each Asian and Black. Residents are a short drive from the international communities, restaurants and cultural events of Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale.
Thinking about Cave Springs?
Cave Springs offers a quiet, small-town setting at the center of NWA, and school zoning can vary street by street. I’ll help you find the right neighborhood and confirm the details before you make an offer. I’m Chris DuBose, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette in Rogers, licensed in Arkansas (SA00097363) and Missouri (2026019341).
