Unemployment Rises In All 8 Metro Areas

Metro area unemployment rose in all 8 major metropolitan areas in Arkansas from December 2010 to January 2011.

Of Arkansas’ eight metro areas, only Memphis-West Memphis (10.4%) and Texarkana (7.8%) saw a jobless rate decline in January compared to January 2010.

The lowest metro rate in the state was Northwest Arkansas at 6.8%. The highest metro rate was 10.9% in Pine Bluff.

NATIONAL, STATE NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 282 of the 372 U.S. metropolitan areas, higher in 73 areas, and unchanged in 17 areas, noted the BLS report. Also, 16 areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15%, while 5 areas registered rates of less than 5%.

By way of comparison, unemployment rates were lower in December than a year earlier in 238 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 115 areas, and unchanged in 19 areas, noted the BLS report. In December, 14 areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15%, while 14 areas registered rates of less than 5%.

The U.S. unemployment rate in January was 9%, down from 9.7% in January 2010 and down from 9.4% in December 2010. Arkansas’ January unemployment rate was 7.8%, down from 7.9% in December and down from 8% in January 2010. The Oklahoma rate during January was 6.6%, down from 6.8% in December and down from 7.3% in January 2010.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
Jan. 2011: 6.8%
Jan. 2010: 6.8%
Dec. 2010: 6.2%

Fort Smith
Jan. 2011: 9.2%
Jan. 2010: 8.9%
Dec. 2010: 8.6%

Hot Springs
Jan. 2011: 8.9%
Jan. 2010: 8.7%
Dec. 2010: 8%

Jonesboro
Jan. 2011: 8.3%
Jan. 2010: 8.1%
Dec. 2010: 7.4%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
Jan. 2011: 7.4%
Jan. 2010: 7.4%
Dec. 2010: 6.9%

Memphis-West Memphis
Jan. 2011: 10.4%
Jan. 2010: 11.2%
Dec. 2010: 9.4%

Pine Bluff
Jan. 2011: 10.9%
Jan. 2010: 10.5%
Dec. 2010: 9.8%

Texarkana
Jan. 2011: 7.8%
Jan. 2010: 8%
Dec. 2010: 7.1%