On Sunday, November 25, 1923, the Southwest Times Record announced that plots in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Fort Smith would be available for purchase. The advertisement clearly outlines the origins of the oldest planned subdivision in the city. It depicts a map of a community designed around a circular park. “All of the streets shoot off like a wagon wheel,” says Rebecca Morter, Realtor with the Griffin Company of Weichert Realtors. The community began with a clean slate of empty lots, which were bought for the sole purpose of constructing homes as unique as the private homeowners that originally built them. Morter moved to the area about six years ago. “I’m an old house lover, so I was immediately drawn to this neighborhood,” she says. “It has a story and a history and a soul. I love that.” The park continues to play an integral role in the community, acting as a gathering place for people of all ages.
Some homes built into the hillside have basement garages in Hillcrest.
Hillcrest Neighborhood Park sits at the center of the roundabout in Hillcrest.
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Century-old homes give Hillcrest personality
Residential streets lined with sidewalks shaded by towering oak trees branch out from the park at the center of the neighborhood. Most of Hillcrest was built between the 1920s and 1930s. It is these older homes that give the community what Morter describes as a “soul.” Craftsman bungalows and cottages, many of which draw inspiration from Tudor architecture, fill the neighborhood. There are also some ranch styles few and far between. Morter says each house, whether brick, wood or stone, is unique. “Every one has its own personality.” Prices for a three-bedroom typically range from $175,000 to $285,000. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that Hillside is at a relatively moderate risk of tornadoes. Most homeowners' insurance policies will cover damage from strong winds or tornadoes.
Ranch-style homes and bungalows are common in Hillcrest neighborhood.
Century old homes with modern updates can be found in Hillcres.
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Neighborhood park is heart of Hillcrest
The Hillcrest Neighborhood Park is the literal and metaphorical center of the community. Whenever residents go there, they will likely run into a neighbor on the playground or at the picnic tables. It is also the location of community events, such as Movie in the Park. “We took some queues from the early days of Hillcrest,” says Morter, reminiscing about the Hillcrest Watermelon Party, where neighbors can chat, play yard games, and eat watermelon. While the event has taken a couple of years off, it can be traced to the community’s inception.
Nearby, Creekmore Park is another popular destination with various recreational opportunities. The Creekmore Express Train – which becomes the Holiday Express Train in December – winds through the park, taking riders past the pool, putt-putt golf course and tennis center. There is also plenty of green space. Across the street, readers can explore the genealogy department at the Fort Smith Public Library. The library also has a full calendar of programming that includes used-book sales, Storytime and author visits.
There are so many ways to play at Creekmore Park.
Grab a book and read on the benches by the fountain at Fort Smith Public Library near Hillcrest.
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Highly rated Fort Smith schools
Hillcrest is part of the Fort Smith Public School District. Both Ballman Elementary School and Ramsey Junior High School are graded B-plus by Niche. Southside High School earns an A. Southside’s STAR Academy allows students to pursue independent study, spending extra time in classes to get ahead of schedule on assignments or do homework they may not have time for at the end of the day. The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is about 3 miles away and offers over 30 undergraduate degrees and three master's programs.
Ballman Elementary School is part of the Fort Smith Public School district.
Ramsey Junior High School is part of the Fort Smith Public School district.
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Major roads surround quiet Hillcrest
The neighborhood is nestled between three of Fort Smith’s major thoroughfares: Rogers Avenue, U.S. Route 71 and Interstate 540. Drivers can take these roads to Downtown Fort Smith, 2 miles away, or to Fort Smith Regional Airport, about 5 miles away. Although Hillcrest is close to these busy roads and the airport, it is still a quiet community. Baptist Health—Fort Smith and Fort Smith ER & Hospital both offer medical care about 3 miles away.
US-71 Business connects downtown Fort Smith to Hillcrest neighborhood.
Hillcrest residents have easy access to I-540 that connects to I-40.
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Downtown drinks and dining
Because Hillcrest is almost entirely residential, people travel Downtown for coffee, dinner or a drink. Fort Smith Coffee Co. has two locations, but Morter’s favorite is the original inside an old gas station. “They have the best coffee in the area,” Morter says. While she emphasizes that this is her opinion, many people in the city agree. The brand was even awarded the Best Cafe in Fort Smith at the 2024 Quality Business Awards. AJ’s Oyster House is a Fort Smith staple known for its New Orleans-inspired menu. Friends can meet for drinks and live music at the 906 Lounge. While Downtown, shoppers can support local businesses, including Bookish and Belle Starr Antiques. Calico County offers traditional country food, about 2 miles away. The closest grocery store is Harps Food Store. Artisanal items like gourmet candy and seasoning blends can be found at The Market by the Park, located inside Sweet Bay Coffee. Home Depot, Target and Walmart are all within 3 miles of Hillcrest.
Fort Smith Coffe Co is a perfect place to meet during the day or night near Hillcrest.
AJ's Oyster house is a popular option near Hillcrest, be sure to reserve a table in advance.
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City-wide events throughout the year
Fort Smith is a busy city, with many fun activities scheduled on weekends. The summer starts with the Old Fort Days Rodeo, a tradition that began in 1933. The rodeo has become a weeklong competition that includes bareback horse riding, calf roping, bull riding, and steer wrestling. In the fall, folks can head to the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair and enjoy live music, carnival rides and creative arts competitions.
Find farm fresh produce at Fort Smith Farmers Market just a few miles North of Hillcrest.
Just North of Hillcrest, Levitt AMP Concert Series provides free concerts in Summer and Fall.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Cynthia Yarbrough,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Hillcrest Neighborhood Park
Creekmore Park
Transit
Airport
Fort Smith Regional
14 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Hillcrest
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Hillcrest, Fort Smith sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Hillcrest, Fort Smith over the last 12 months is $223,993, up 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$220,000
Median Single Family Price
$220,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$125
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median List Price
$244,950
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
0%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
152
Median Year Built
1947
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,539
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Cynthia Yarbrough,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
395
Median Age
40
Population under 18
23.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$69,090
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,806
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
41.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.9%
% Population in Labor Force
64.7%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
24/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
24/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
