Moving to or from Conway?
A college town 30 minutes north of Little Rock with three colleges — University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix, and Central Baptist — anchoring a young, educated population and a data-and-tech corporate presence led by Acxiom.
- 65,000 City population
- 145,000 Metro area
- 1871 Founded
- Central Arkansas / Faulkner County Region
Why people move to Conway.
- University of Central Arkansas — the largest of Conway's three colleges with 10,000+ students
- Hendrix College — one of the Southeast's most respected liberal-arts colleges
- Acxiom/LiveRamp corporate headquarters and data-industry jobs
- Downtown Conway's walkable restaurant and bar scene near UCA
- Lake Conway — one of the largest Arkansas Game and Fish-constructed lakes with fishing and boating
- Being Little Rock's fastest-growing suburb
Conway calls itself 'The City of Colleges' because it hosts three higher-education institutions within city limits — University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College — a distinction few US cities under 100,000 population can claim. The city's youth skew and educated workforce attracted Acxiom (now LiveRamp) to establish a major corporate center here.
Where people live in Conway.
A quick guide to Conway's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Downtown / UCA
Walkable core with restaurants, bars, and University of Central Arkansas campus
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Hendrix College area
Historic neighborhood with character homes near Hendrix campus
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Centennial Valley
Master-planned community with amenities and top-rated schools
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Lake Conway / Woodland
Lakefront neighborhoods with boating access and larger lots
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West Conway
Newer subdivisions with family-oriented layouts
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Vilonia / Mayflower
Nearby small towns with more affordable housing and rural feel
Where people spend their time in Conway.
- University of Central Arkansas campus Central Conway
- Hendrix College campus Central Conway
- Lake Conway South Conway
- Conway Art League & Faulkner County Museum Downtown
- Cadron Settlement Park West Conway
- Conway Downtown Partnership District Downtown
Planning a Conway move.
- UCA's academic calendar drives rental spikes — mid-August move-in and early May move-out book mover schedules 6-8 weeks ahead
- Conway is one of Arkansas' fastest-growing cities, so housing inventory is tight and prices have risen sharply
- Tornado risk is real in central Arkansas — April 2014 tornado struck nearby Vilonia and Mayflower; confirm storm-shelter access
- Little Rock commute via I-40 is 30-40 minutes at off-peak times, 45-60 minutes at rush hour
Moving in Conway: FAQ.
Is Conway a good Little Rock suburb or its own city?
Both. Conway has developed enough of its own economic and cultural base — colleges, Acxiom/LiveRamp, healthcare — that many residents don't commute to Little Rock. But for professionals working in Little Rock, Conway offers a 30-minute commute (off-peak) with meaningfully lower housing costs and different school districts than the Little Rock area.
Is Conway growing?
Yes — one of Arkansas' fastest-growing cities by percentage and absolute numbers. The three-college base, Acxiom's tech jobs, I-40 logistics access, and Little Rock overflow all contribute. Housing prices have roughly doubled since 2015, though still reasonable compared to national metros.
How severe is tornado risk?
Real. The April 2014 EF4 tornado killed 16 people in nearby Vilonia and Mayflower and caused significant damage. Most Conway homes have basements or interior safe rooms; new construction often includes storm shelters. Verify shelter access before renting or buying, and install a NOAA weather radio.
Are there good restaurants near the colleges?
Yes — downtown Conway's restaurant scene has grown with the college population. Expect a mix of Southern comfort food, BBQ, coffee shops, and a growing craft-beer scene. Places like Stoby's (a Conway institution), Mike's Place, and Kings Live Music define the downtown experience. Restaurants near UCA cater heavily to students; downtown is more adult-oriented.
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