Arkansas Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.8% For November

Arkansas’ jobless rate fell three-tenths of a percent in November to 5.8%. In October, the rate stood at 6.1% and one year ago Arkansas’ unemployment benchmark was at 7.5%.

The U.S. jobless rate remained unchanged in November at 5.8%, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

There was a large jump in both the civilian labor force and employment population during the month. In November, the total number of working Arkansans was 1,238,700, up 10,300 from October 2014 and 11,900 from November 2013.

In November, the overall civilian labor force – or available working population – was 1,315,600. That was up 8,100 from October, but down 10,700 from a year ago.

“Arkansas’ unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point in November, due in large part to the increase in employment. This month’s addition of 10,300 employed is the largest employment gain of 2014,” said DWS Communications Director Becky Heflin said.

In the monthly survey of employers, Arkansas 8 major industry sectors posted gains, while 3 sectors showed declines.

The November 2014 sector breakdowns on a year-over-year basis are as follows:

Mining/Logging +400
Construction +4,000
Manufacturing +5,400
Trade/Transportation +1,700
Information -600
Financial +400
Professional/Business -100
Education/Health +3,600
Leisure/Hospitality +3,500
Other +400
Government -300