Because of its unique location, Arco can offer both the benefits of a rural lifestyle and the amenities of the "Big City". Arco itself is a town with a population of 1,200 with another 2,000 people living in the surrounding county. It is situated at the junction of Highways 20/26 and Hwy 93. which makes it the natural hub of a very large area.
The town has schools, a hospital, and all the businesses needed to serve the daily needs of residents. In addition, with the larger cities of Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Sun Valley all located within a 1 to 2 hour drive of Arco, all of the amenities of city life can be quickly accessed.
Living in Arco or surrounding areas means being able to fish the Big Lost River in the morning, shop at the mall in Idaho Falls or one of the other cities nearby in the afternoon, and still see the sunset over the Pioneer Mountains in the evening.

Housing Bargains

Butte County has all the attributes of the resort areas of the West except for the availability of downhill skiing. Here outdoor activities, magnificent vistas, and a western flavor all exist with the only thing missing being the sky-high costs associated with resort living. Many houses in the area can be purchased for under $100,00.00 and land is available for less then $2,000.00 per acre. In the nearest resort, these prices would be astronomically higher.

Employment

Farming, ranching, and tourism support many families and rural development programs are beginning to attract new businesses to the Lost River Valley. Many Arco residents are employed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL, the largest employer in eastern Idaho) which is a short commute away. Scheduled bus service is available from Arco to the INL site.