Sales tax collections down in Jonesboro and Craighead County

Sales and use tax collections in Jonesboro and Craighead County were down in the month of April as both the city and county continue to have stagnant collections through the first four months of the year.

Jonesboro collected $1.97 million during the month, a 3.5% ($70,973) drop when compared to the same month in 2024, according to records released by the city. For the year, the collections in the city are down 1.7% ($151,030) when compared to the first four months last year.

To date, the city has collected a total $8.663 million. That’s down 3.1% ($277,946) from the projected budget for the time period. Collections have been down every month this year when compared to the projected budget.

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 health care, manufacturing, government, retail, agriculture and others. The city is also a nexus for those in surrounding counties seeking health care, and Arkansas State University is the region’s largest university and employer.

In the county, collections were also down. The county’s collections dipped by 3.1% ($74,000) when compared to last April.

For the year, Craighead County has collected $10.085 million in sales and use taxes, a 2.7% ($274,000) drop when compared to the first four months of 2024.