Arkansas’ jobless rate dips in June

Arkansas’ June jobless rate fell to 7.2%, reflecting a decline in the size of the workforce and an estimated decline of 1,884 in the number of unemployed.

The state’s jobless rate was 7.3% in May, and was 8.1% during June 2011. Arkansas was one of 11 states to see a jobless rate decrease between May and June.

However, June marks the 41st consecutive month the Arkansas jobless rate has been above 7%.

The June estimate has 1.287 million employed, compared to 1.289 million in May, and up over the 1.253 million in June 2011. There were 33,106 more Arkansans employed in June compared to June 2011.

ARKANSAS SECTOR NUMBERS
In the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector — Arkansas’ largest job sector — employment during June was an estimated 234,600, below the revised 236,000 during May and below the 236,300 during June 2011. Peak employment in the sector during 2011 was 240,400 during January 2009.

Manufacturing jobs in Arkansas during June totaled 156,400, down from 157,300 in May and below the 158,200 during June 2011. Employment in the once booming manufacturing sector fell in 2011 to levels not seen since early 1968. The June jobs figure is more than 33% below the January 2001 sector employment of 236,000.

Government job employment during May was 222,000, down compared to the 222,500 during May but ahead of the 219,000 during June 2011.

The state’s Education and Health Services sector during June had 173,400 jobs, up compared to May and up from 165,900 during June 2011. Employment in the sector is up almost 28% compared to January 2002.

Arkansas’ tourism sector (leisure & hospitality) employed 104,600 during June, above the 103,900 during May and ahead of the 98,300 during June 2011.

The construction sector employed an estimated 43,800 during June, below the 45,500 during May and below the 46,800 during June 2011.