Metro Jobless Rates Higher For Month, Lower For Year

May metropolitan area jobless numbers fell in all 8 regions of the state in a year-over-year comparison, but they rose in all 8 areas on a month-to-month basis.

New figures released by the Bureau of Labor statistics show that the state's most populated regions all reflected the similar trend.

Northwest Arkansas had the lowest metro jobless rate in May 2012 at 5.7%, down from May 2011 when unemployment hit 6.1%. In April, the region had a jobless rate of 5.3%.

Pine Bluff's rate of 9.2% was the highest in the state in May, up from 8.7% in April, but lower than 10% one year ago.

Arkansas’ jobless rate was 7.3% in May, up from 7.2% during April and below the 8.1% rate in May 2011.

Dr. Michael Pakko, economist with UALR's Institute for Economic Advancement, said the spike in rates largely reflected regular seasonal patterns. He also noted that “smoothed seasonally adjusted estimates” show the rates between April and May were largely unchanged.

NATION

AL NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 331 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 32 areas, and unchanged in 9 areas, noted the BLS report. Also, five areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15%, while 29 areas registered rates of less than 5%.

The U.S. unemployment rate in May was 8.2%, down from 9% from a year earlier.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
May 2012: 5.7%
April 2012: 5.3%
May 2011: 6.1%

Fort Smith
May 2012: 7.7%
April 2012: 7.1%
May 2011: 8.3%

Hot Springs
May 2012: 7.8%
April 2012: 7.2%
May 2011: 8.3%

Jonesboro
May 2012: 7%
April 2012: 6.5%
May 2011: 7.6%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
May 2012: 6.7%
April 2012: 6.2%
May 2011: 6.9%

Memphis-West Memphis
May 2012: 8.8%
April 2012: 8.4%
May 2011: 9.9%

Pine Bluff
May 2012: 9.2%
April 2012: 8.7%
May 2011: 10%

Texarkana
May 2012: 6.5%
April 2012: 6.3%
May 2011: 7.3%

Michael Tilley with our content partner, The City Wire, contributed to this report.