Metro Area Jobless Rates Decline In November

All eight metro areas in or connected to Arkansas had jobless rate declines in November compared to October, and seven areas had jobless rate increases compared to November 2012.

During November, the lowest metro jobless rate in the state was in Northwest Arkansas and the highest rate was 9.5% in the Pine Bluff area.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
November 2013: 4.8%
October 2013: 5.1%
November 2012: 4.7%

Fort Smith
November 2013: 6.9%
October 2013: 7.3%
November 2012: 7.3%

Hot Springs
November 2013: 7.5%
October 2013: 7.8%
November 2012: 6.8%

Jonesboro
November 2013: 6.3%
October 2013: 6.4%
November 2012: 6.2%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
November 2013: 6.1%
October 2013: 6.5%
November 2012: 5.8%

Memphis-West Memphis
November 2013: 8.8%
October 2013: 9.5%
November 2012: 8.1%

Pine Bluff
November 2013: 9.5%
October 2013: 9.6%
November 2012: 8.4%

Texarkana
November 2013: 6.8%
October 2013: 7.1%
November 2012: 6%

CENTRAL ARKANSAS
The size of the central Arkansas regional workforce during November was estimated at 342,307, up from the 341,147 during October, and slightly ahead of the 342,016 during November 2012.

Metro employment of 321,322 was up 0.68% compared to October 2013, but was down compared to the 322,184 employed in November 2012.

Unemployed persons in the region totaled 20,985 during November, down from the 22,021 during October but more than the 19,832 during November 2012.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
The size of the Northwest Arkansas regional workforce during November was estimated at 241,333, up from the 239,913 during October, and ahead of the 236,832 during November 2012. June 2013 was the first month the region’s workforce topped 240,000. The average annual monthly labor size was 231,461 during 2012, 227,938 during 2010 and 225,177 during 2009.

Following are other key figures from the BLS metro report.
• Unemployed persons in the region totaled 11,694 during November, down from the 12,351 during October and more than the 11,069 during November 2012.

• The Northwest Arkansas manufacturing sector employed an estimated 27,100 in November, up from 26,800 in October, and above the 26,900 during November 2012. Sector employment is down more than 21% from more than a decade ago when November 2002 manufacturing employment in the metro area stood at 34,300.

• Jobs in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector — the region’s largest job sector — totaled 52,100 in November, up from 51,300 during October, and up from the 49,500 during November 2012. The November employment level is a new record in Northwest Arkansas for the sector, although it is subject to revision in future reports.

• Employment in the region’s tourism industry was 21,900 during November, down from 22,100 in October and up from 20,800 during November 2012. September employment of 22,300 was a new record for the sector, although the figure could be revised in subsequent reports.

• In Education & Health Services, employment was 26,200 during November, up from 26,000 during October and up from 24,800 during November 2012.

• In the Government sector, employment was 31,500 during November, up from 31,300 in October and up compared to 31,100 during November 2012.

FORT SMITH
The size of the Fort Smith regional workforce during November was 132,163, down from the 132,867 during October, and below the 132,392 during November 2012. The labor force reached a revised high of 140,253 in October 2007.

Unemployed persons in the region totaled an estimated 9,170 during November, down from the 9,714 during October, and below the 9,704 during November 2012.

The Fort Smith area manufacturing sector employed an estimated 18,400 in November, down from 18,500 in October, and below the 18,800 during November 2012. Employment in the sector is down more than 35% from a decade ago when November 2003 manufacturing employment in the metro area stood at 28,500. Also, the annual average monthly employment in manufacturing has fallen from 28,900 in 2005 to 19,200 in 2012 – the first year the average has dropped below 20,000 since surpassing that level.

Jobs in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector — the region’s largest job sector — totaled 25,800 in November, down from the 26,000 in October, and above the 25,000 during November 2012. A revised October employment of 26,000 marked a new employment high in the sector.

Employment in the region’s tourism industry was 9,100 during November, down from 9,300 in October and above the 8,900 in November 2012. The sector reached an employment high of 9,800 in August 2008.

In Education & Health Services, employment was 17,900 during November, down from 18,100 in October and above the 17,300 during November 2012. October employment was s a record for sector employment in the Fort Smith area. Annual average monthly employment in the sector has steadily grown since 2005 when it reached 14,000. In 2012 the average was 17,100.

In the Government sector, employment was 19,800 during November, up from 19,700 in October and unchanged compared to November 2012.

JONESBORO
The size of the Jonesboro regional workforce during November was estimated at 60,700, up from the 60,240 during October, and ahead of the 59,939 during November 2012.

Metro employment of 56,888 was up over the 56,359 in October 2013, and was ahead of the 56,202 employed in November 2012.

Unemployed persons in the region totaled 3,812 during November, down from the 3,881 during October and below the 3,737 during November 2012.