Conway's most famous resident, American Idol winner Kris Allen, exemplifies much of what the city and its people are like. In his mid-twenties, Allen falls into the majority here â€" almost 75 percent of Conway's inhabitants are under the age of 45.

The average age has a lot to do with the city being home to three different colleges: Hendrix College, Central Baptist College and the University of Central Arkansas, which Allen once attended. And those institutions provide a thriving arts scene with programs for the general public, including music, art exhibits, special speakers and drama.

Major Employers

With so many educated young people, it's no wonder Conway attracts employers. One of the latest additions to the corporate landscape here is Hewlett-Packard, who decided to bring 1,200 customer service and technical support center jobs to the city.

Conway’s location â€" 30 miles north of Little Rock on Interstate 40 â€" also makes it the central gateway to the Ozarks. Many tourists stop off in Conway on their way to vacation destinations, which allows for a thriving shopping market. Conway has numerous specialized boutiques downtown and Conway Commons, a 600,000-square-foot outdoor mall that boasts national retailers.

Housing

Like other central Arkansas locales, Conway has a wide range of housing available, and the median home price is far below the national average. If you're looking for luxury, try Centennial Valley or Paddington Estates.