The 2003 US Census report shows Northwest Arkansas` population
boomed between 2002 and 2003 as the Arkansas Delta continued to
lose residents. overall, the state saw a .72 percent population
gain. Arkansas had an estimated 2,725,714 residents in 2003.
Benton County was the state`s fastest-growing county, at 4.08
percent growth. Lee County led the state in population decline
with a -3.07 percent population loss. Among the state`s larger
cities, Bryant recorded the highest population growth between
2002 and 2003 at 15.83 percent. Census estimates showed Bryant
had more than 12,000 residents in 2003. Little Rock, the state`s
largest city, had .22 percent growth from 2002 to 2003.