Metro Jobless Rates Rise In December, Fall Year-over-year

In the eight metro areas in or connected to Arkansas, six had jobless rate increases in December compared to November, and all posted jobless rates lower than December 2010.

Jobless rates and data in Wednesday’s (Feb. 1) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are preliminary and subject to change.

During December, the lowest metro jobless rate was 5.6% in Northwest Arkansas and the highest rate was 9.4% in Pine Bluff.

Unemployment rates were lower in December than a year earlier in 329 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 36 areas, and unchanged in 7 areas, noted the BLS report. Also, 10 areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15%, while 24 areas registered rates of less than 5%.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
Dec. 2011: 5.6%
Nov. 2011: 5.5%
Dec. 2010: 6.1%

Fort Smith
Dec. 2011: 8%
Nov. 2011: 7.8%
Dec. 2010: 8.5%

Hot Springs
Dec. 2011: 7.4%
Nov. 2011: 7%
Dec. 2010: 8%

Jonesboro
Dec. 2011: 6.9%
Nov. 2011: 6.4%
Dec. 2010: 7.4%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
Dec. 2011: 6.5%
Nov. 2011: 6.3%
Dec. 2010: 6.8%

Memphis-West Memphis
Dec. 2011: 8.8%
Nov. 2011: 9.2%
Dec. 2010: 9.4%

Pine Bluff
Dec. 2011: 9.4%
Nov. 2011: 9.2%
Dec. 2010: 9.8%

Texarkana
Dec. 2011: 6.8%
Nov. 2011: 6.9%
Dec. 2010: 7.1%

Michael Tilley with our content partner, The City Wire, is the author of this report. He can be reached by email at [email protected].