Unemployment Improves In Arkansas Metro Areas

Seven of Arkansas’ eight metro areas saw March jobless rate declines compared to February 2011 and March 2010. Pine Bluff saw a decline in the rate compared to February but was up compared to March 2010.

The lowest March metro rate in the state was Northwest Arkansas at 6.2%. The highest metro rate was 10.1% in Pine Bluff, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released Wednesday (April 27).

NATIONAL, STATE NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 317 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 44 areas, and unchanged in 11 areas, noted the BLS report. Also, 14 areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15%, while 8 areas registered rates of less than 5%.

The U.S. unemployment rate in March was 8.8%, down from 9.7% in March 2010 and down from 8.9% in February. Arkansas’ March unemployment rate was 7.8%, unchanged from 7.8% in February and down from 7.9% in March 2010.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
March 2011: 6.2%
Feb. 2011: 6.7%
March 2010: 6.8%

Fort Smith
March 2011: 8.4%
Feb. 2011: 9.1%
March 2010: 8.6%

Hot Springs
March 2011: 8.3%
Feb. 2011: 8.8%
March 2010: 8.4%

Jonesboro
March 2011: 7.6%
Feb. 2011: 7.9%
March 2010: 7.8%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
March 2011: 6.8%
Feb. 2011: 7.1%
March 2010: 7.3%

Memphis-West Memphis
March 2011: 9.9%
Feb. 2011: 10.4%
March 2010: 10.4%

Pine Bluff
March 2011: 10.1%
Feb. 2011: 10.4%
March 2010: 10%

Texarkana
March 2011: 7.4%
Feb. 2011: 7.5%
March 2010: 7.6%