Fort Smith Wiki
neighborhoods

Barling — Fort Smith, AR

Barling is a small city just east of Fort Smith in Sebastian County. Long a quiet residential neighbor with its identity tied to the Army post at its doorstep, Barling now sits at the center of the metro’s biggest growth story: a large share of the Chaffee Crossing redevelopment district lies within its city limits.

Fort Chaffee’s neighbor

Barling’s modern history is inseparable from Fort Chaffee, the World War II-era Army post built in 1941 on land adjoining the town. For decades the fort brought soldiers, jobs, and steady activity to Barling’s edge. When the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure round ended Fort Chaffee’s active-Army era, the land transferred for civilian redevelopment — more than 7,000 acres now managed by the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority — put Barling on the receiving end of new neighborhoods, businesses, and infrastructure it had never had.

The planned Interstate 49 segment through the east side of the metro begins at Highway 22 in Barling, which will eventually put the city directly on a national interstate corridor (see getting around Fort Smith).

Living in Barling

Barling offers a range of housing, from older homes on established lots to new subdivisions built on former fort land. Property values have historically run below comparable Fort Smith neighborhoods, which keeps the city attractive to buyers seeking affordability with metro access. Students in Barling attend Fort Smith Public Schools.

Metro contractors treat Barling as home turf. The Fort Smith Directory lists roofing contractors serving Barling and HVAC pros covering Barling among other trades.

FAQ

Is Barling part of Fort Smith? No — Barling is a separate incorporated city, though it functions as part of the greater Fort Smith metro and shares the Chaffee Crossing district with Fort Smith.

What is Barling’s connection to Fort Chaffee? The Army post was built adjacent to Barling in 1941, and after the 1995 BRAC realignment, much of the redevelopment land — today’s Chaffee Crossing — lies within Barling’s limits.

What schools serve Barling? Barling students attend Fort Smith Public Schools.