TL;DR: Gentry’s population has grown to 5,106 as of 2026, a 32.6% increase since the 2020 census.
Gentry Public Schools and District Boundaries
Gentry is located within Benton County, Arkansas, on the county's western edge, as verified by Wikipedia and the Encyclopedia of Arkansas as of August 2026. The city operates its own public school system, Gentry Public Schools, which serves the community through a campus network managed by the district. The administrative center is located at 201 S Giles Ave, Gentry, AR 72734, and the district can be reached by phone at 479-736-2253, according to the school's official website as of August 2026. That's a level of local control smaller than what a resident would get from one of the larger regional districts. The district provides a full K-12 continuum of education, comprising Gentry High School, Gentry Middle School, Gentry Intermediate School, Gentry Primary School, and a Pre-K program.
Prospective buyers should be aware that a small portion of the city is zoned to Siloam Springs Schools rather than Gentry Public Schools, a boundary detail confirmed by Wikipedia as of August 2026. This zoning variance means that specific residential lots within Gentry will determine which school district serves the property. For those prioritizing local education options, Discover Gentry, Arkansas to review the specific attendance zones for each neighborhood. Mason Capital Group advises verifying the exact school district for any specific parcel before making an offer to ensure alignment with educational priorities.
Economic History of Gentry, Arkansas
Gentry was created in 1894 along the Kansas City Southern Railroad and incorporated on July 9, 1898; it was originally called 'Orchard' for its apple orchards, then renamed for a railroad official (Encyclopedia of Arkansas, checked Aug 2026). The city's economy shifted from fruit shipping and lumber to poultry starting in the 1920s, with a Ralston Purina hatchery arriving in 1965 ahead of McKee Foods in 1983 (Encyclopedia of Arkansas, checked Aug 2026). McKee Foods Corporation, maker of Little Debbie snacks, opened its Gentry manufacturing facility in 1983 and remains the city's largest employer (Encyclopedia of Arkansas, checked Aug 2026). That kind of industrial continuity -- one large employer in place for over four decades -- is part of what distinguishes Gentry from newer, faster-growing suburbs elsewhere in the county. For those seeking a foothold in this established community, current featured listings offer a direct view into the stability of the local real estate landscape.
The transition from agricultural roots to a manufacturing hub has defined the city's trajectory. The Kansas City Southern Railroad's arrival in 1894 turned Gentry from a shipping point into a center for poultry processing and snack manufacturing, a history that's still visible in the city's layout today.
Gentry Population and Local Attractions
Gentry’s population was 3,851 at the 2020 census; World Population Review’s 2026 estimate is 5,106, roughly 32.6% growth since 2020 (World Population Review, checked Aug 2026). That's fast growth for a town this size, and it's worth knowing about whether you're buying (more competition for the available inventory) or selling (a larger pool of potential buyers, though still a smaller market than Bentonville or Rogers). Population figures alone don't tell you what a specific home or lot is worth, but they're a useful signal for how quickly a given listing might move.
The area’s recreational assets provide context for the lifestyle appeal of the community. SWEPCO Lake, also called Lake Flint Creek, offers fishing and recreation (Wikipedia, checked Aug 2026), and Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari sits just west of town (see our companion piece on Gentry's rural character for more on both). For buyers comparing Gentry against the more built-up parts of Benton County, this mix of an established employer, its own school district, and genuinely rural land on the edge of town is the practical trade-off: lower price points and more land per dollar, in exchange for a longer drive to Bentonville's core job centers.
Working With Mason Capital Group in Gentry
Mason Capital Group has maintained a physical presence in Bentonville for over 30 years, with $2.4B+ in cumulative transaction activity across Northwest Arkansas. If you're buying or selling in Gentry, we can walk you through current comparables in this specific corner of the county.
We operate out of 609 SW 8th Street, 6th Floor, Bentonville, AR 72712, and can be reached at 479-925-3333. If you are seeking the best real estate agent in Gentry, for neighbourhood-level detail, see Discover Gentry, Arkansas. If you are weighing a move in Gentry, you can list your home with us to go further.
What is the current population of Gentry, Arkansas?
Gentry’s population was 3,851 at the 2020 census; World Population Review's 2026 estimate is 5,106, roughly 32.6% growth since 2020 (World Population Review, checked Aug 2026).
Who are the major employers in Gentry?
McKee Foods Corporation, maker of Little Debbie snacks, opened its Gentry manufacturing facility in 1983 and remains the city's largest employer (Encyclopedia of Arkansas, checked Aug 2026).
What school district serves Gentry?
Gentry Public Schools is the city's own district (gentrypioneers.com, checked Aug 2026): address 201 S Giles Ave, Gentry, AR 72734, phone 479-736-2253. Schools: Gentry High School, Gentry Middle School, Gentry Intermediate School, Gentry Primary School, and a Pre-K program.
Is there any part of Gentry zoned to a different school district?
A small portion of Gentry is zoned to Siloam Springs Schools rather than Gentry Public Schools (Wikipedia, checked Aug 2026) -- not independently confirmed against either district's own map this run.