Briarcliff is a second-class city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 236 at the 2010 census. The community began as a small retirement community near Lake Norfork following completion of the Norfork Dam. Initially an unincorporated area, residents voted to incorporate as a town in 1997. In 2000, town residents approved upg…Briarcliff is a second-class city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 236 at the 2010 census. The community began as a small retirement community near Lake Norfork following completion of the Norfork Dam. Initially an unincorporated area, residents voted to incorporate as a town in 1997. In 2000, town residents approved upgrading Briarcliff's status to a second-class city in order to establish a municipal government.