Metro Jobless Rates Improve In August

All eight metro areas in or connected to Arkansas had jobless rate declines in August compared to July, but only three areas (Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith and Jonesboro) had jobless rate decreases compared to August 2012.

During August, the lowest metro jobless rate in the state was in Northwest Arkansas and the highest rate was 9.8% in the Pine Bluff area, according to figures released Monday (Oct. 21) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
August 2013: 5.4%
July 2013: 5.9%
August 2012: 5.5%

Fort Smith
August 2013: 7.2%
July 2013: 7.6%
August 2012: 7.9%

Hot Springs
August 2013: 7.5%
July 2013: 7.8%
August 2012: 7.3%

Jonesboro
August 2013: 6.7%
July 2013: 7.2%
August 2012: 6.8%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
August 2013: 6.5%
July 2013: 6.8%
August 2012: 6.5%

Memphis-West Memphis
August 2013: 9.4%
July 2013: 9.5%
August 2012: 9.1%

Pine Bluff
August 2013: 9.8%
July 2013: 10.3%
August 2012: 9.2%

Texarkana
August 2013: 7.2%
July 2013: 7.3%
August 2012: 6.9%

NATIONAL NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 311 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 47 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, noted the broad BLS report.

The U.S. unemployment rate in August was 7.3%, down from 8.1% from a year earlier. Arkansas’ jobless rate was 7.4% in August, unchanged compared to July and up from 7.3% in August 2012.

Oklahoma’s jobless rate during August was 5.3%, unchanged compared to July, and unchanged compared to August 2012. The Missouri jobless rate during August was 7.2%, compared to 7.1% in July and up compared 7% in August 2012.