NWA job numbers improve in February

The Northwest Arkansas metro jobless rate rose to 6.4% during February, but is below the 6.7% posted in February 2011, but with a sharp increase in the number of employed during the month.

Four of the eight metro areas in or connected to Arkansas had jobless rate increases in February compared to January, with one metro area unchanged and three with lower jobless rates. Two of the eight metro areas posted jobless rates higher than February 2011, with four posting lower rates and two unchanged.

During February, the lowest metro jobless rate was 6.4% in Northwest Arkansas and the highest rate was 10.3% in Pine Bluff.

The number of employed in Northwest Arkansas during February was an estimated 221,080, up from 216,680 during January, and well ahead of the 213,642 employed in the region during February 2011.

Based on the figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were an estimated 7,438 more people employed in the metro area during February compared to February 2011.

The size of the workforce grew to 236,297 during February, higher than the 231,277 during January, and above the 228,915 during February 2011.

The number of unemployed in the metro area during February was 15,217, above the 14,597 during January, and just slightly below the 115,273 during February 2011.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS METRO NUMBERS
• The region’s manufacturing sector employed an estimated 27,200 in February, below the 27,600 in January 2011, and below the 27,900 during February 2011. Employment in the sector is down more than 20.6% from more than a decade ago when January 2002 manufacturing employment in the metro area stood at 34,300.

• Jobs in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector — by far the region’s largest job sector —  totaled 46,100 in February, up from 45,700 in January, and above the 44,600 during February 2011. Employment in the sector is off from the high of 50,500 posted in December 2006.

• Employment in the region’s tourism industry was 18,600 during February, up from 18,100 in February and well ahead of 17,500 during February 2011. The sector reached an employment high of 19,400 in July 2008.

• In Education & Health Services, employment was 23,300 during February, up from 22,900 during January and up from 23,300 during February 2011.

NATIONAL NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 344 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 19 areas, and unchanged in 9 areas, noted the BLS report. Also, 13 areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15%, while 12 areas registered rates of less than 5%.

The U.S. unemployment rate in February was 8.3%, down from 8.9% from a year earlier.

Oklahoma’s jobless rate during February was 6%, down from 6.1% during January, and below the 6.1% during February 2011. The Missouri jobless rate during February was 7.4%, down from 7.5% in January, and well below the 8.9% during February 2011.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
Feb. 2012: 6.4%
Jan. 2012: 6.3%
Feb. 2011: 6.7%

Fort Smith
Feb. 2012: 9.1%
Jan. 2012: 8.9%
Feb. 2011: 9.1%

Hot Springs
Feb. 2012: 8.8%
Jan. 2012: 8.5%
Feb. 2011: 8.8%

Jonesboro
Feb. 2012: 8.1%
Jan. 2012: 8.1%
Feb. 2011: 7.9%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
Feb. 2012: 7.4%
Jan. 2012: 7.2%
Feb. 2011: 7.1%

Memphis-West Memphis
Feb. 2012: 9.2%
Jan. 2012: 9.4%
Feb. 2011: 10.4%

Pine Bluff
Feb. 2012: 10.3%
Jan. 2012: 10.4%
Feb. 2011: 10.4%

Texarkana
Feb. 2012: 7.1%
Jan. 2012: 7.5%
Feb. 2011: 7.5%

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS METRO AREA HISTORY
Past annual average unemployment rates
2010: 6.5%
2009: 6.1%
2008: 4.1%
2007: 3.8%
2006: 3.6%
2005: 3.3%
2004: 3.8%
2003: 3.7%
2002: 3.3%
2001: 3%
2000: 2.9%

FORT SMITH METRO AREA HISTORY
Past annual average unemployment rates
2010: 8.2%
2009: 7.9%
2008: 4.8%
2007: 5.3%
2006: 4.9%
2005: 4.5%
2004: 5.2%
2003: 5.5%
2002: 5%
2001: 4.2%
2000: 3.7%