Sales tax collections slightly lower year-over-year in Jonesboro, Craighead County

For one of the rare times during the last decade and a half, Craighead County and its seat Jonesboro, collected less yearly sales and use taxes – but barely. The city collected $26.162 million in 2024, a dip of 0.4% ($98,780) when compared to 2023, according to figures released by the city.

The city missed its projected budget by 4.1% ($1.1 million). The amount collected is still the second most ever by the city.

By percentage, collections dropped the most in June by 6.4% followed by a drop of 4.5% in February when compared to those months the previous year. In January, collections were up 8.6% and were up 5.5% in May when compared to those months last year.

Sales tax figures lag by 60 days meaning the numbers released were collected two months prior. Economists consider sales tax collections as a leading economic indicator, one that can show how a local economy can be expected to perform in the short-term.

Northeast Arkansas’ hub city has a diversified workforce that has helped it to withstand national economic downturns in recent decades, according to officials. That diverse mix of jobs include healthcare, manufacturing, government, retail, agriculture and others. The city also is a nexus for those in surrounding counties seeking healthcare, and Arkansas State University is the region’s largest university and employer.

Craighead County showed a similar, slight dip. The county collected $29.885 million in 2024, about $27,000 less than it did in 2023.