As I have noted, NWA has passed 500,000 in population. Here is a report based on the current growth factors and "average" predictors.
Many feel it will be above average as it is now and closer 900,000 in just 15 years. look closely at the growth of folks in their 20's to upper 40s and here's where this is important for SDC and Branson. It's families. It needs to gear to younger clientele ASAP. That certainly doesn't bode well for most music theaters but presents growth family- centric attractions.
To put the rapid growth of NWA in perspective. Springfield's MSA sets at over 500,000( about 20,000 more than NWA) and in 2030 using the "average" model will hit just over 700,000.
Put those two together and SDC's back yard has over 500,000 more folks in it in 15 years.
I haven't played with Tulsa, Little Rock, Ft. Smith and KC numbers yet.