Most Arkansas metro areas post job gains in May

Northwest Arkansas had an almost 3% year-over-year job gain, and six of the seven metro areas in or connected to Arkansas posted job gains in the May metro jobs report. Year-over-year job numbers were down 0.3% in the Hot Springs metro.

The Memphis-West Memphis area had the highest unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Northwest Arkansas had the lowest rate in May at 2.7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report posted Wednesday (July 2). The May report is preliminary and subject to revision.

Arkansas’ jobless rate rose to 3.7% in May from 3.4% in May 2024.

Arkansas’ four largest metro regions – areas with most of the workforce in the state – had a combined 15,549 year-over-year job gains in May, more than the 13,386 overall state job gains in May. The difference reflects job growth in urban areas and job losses in the state’s rural areas.

Central Arkansas – Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway – had 372,485 employed in May, up 5,007 jobs, or 1.4%, compared with May 2024. The metro had 12,601 unemployed, up 8.5% from 11,610 in May 2024. Northwest Arkansas, the state’s second largest metro area, had an estimated 306,190 jobs in May, up 8,619 jobs, or 2.9%, compared with May 2024. The metro had 8,603 unemployed, up 11.7% from 7,700 in May 2024.

The Fort Smith metro, Arkansas’ third largest metro, had an estimated 98,880 jobs in May, up 1,101 jobs, or 1.1%, compared with May 2024. Regional employment remains below the peak of 104,228 in June 2008. The metro had 3,482 unemployed, up 3.8% from 3,355 in May 2024. The Jonesboro metro had an estimated 64,813 jobs in May, up 1.3% compared with May 2024. The metro had 2,243 unemployed, up 14% from 1,969 in May 2024.

The 2025 numbers reflect revisions to the data and counties included in the estimates. McDonald County, Mo., was removed from the Northwest Arkansas metro, LeFlore County, Okla., was removed from the Fort Smith metro, and Pine Bluff is no longer reported as a metropolitan statistical area.

NATIONAL NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were higher in May than a year earlier in 285 of the 387 metro areas, lower in 84 areas, and unchanged in 18 areas, according to the BLS report. A total of 45 areas had jobless rates of less than 3% and 7 areas had rates of at least 8%.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 23 metro areas, decreased in 2 areas, and was essentially unchanged in 362 areas. The national unemployment rate in May was 4%, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.7% a year earlier.

In May, Sioux Falls, S.D.-Minn., had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.7%. El Centro, Calif., had the highest rate at 17.4%. A total of 231 areas had May jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4%, 138 areas had rates above it, and 18 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.

METRO JOBS DATA
Following are labor market data for the seven metro areas.
• Northwest Arkansas
Labor force
May 2025: 314,793
May 2024: 304,728

Employment
May 2025: 306,190
May 2024: 297,571

Unemployed
May 2025: 8,603
May 2024: 7,700

Jobless rate
May 2025: 2.7%
May 2024: 2.5%

• Fort Smith metro (Arkansas-Oklahoma)
Labor force
May 2025: 102,362
May 2024: 101,134

Employment
May 2025: 98,880
May 2024: 97,779

Unemployed
May 2025: 3,482
May 2024: 3,355

Jobless rate
May 2025: 3.4%
May 2024: 3.3%

• Hot Springs
Labor force
May 2025: 43,541
May 2024: 43,547

Employment
May 2025: 41,982
May 2024: 42,097

Unemployed
May 2025: 1,559
May 2024: 1,450

Jobless rate
May 2025: 3.6%
May 2024: 3.3%

• Jonesboro
Labor force
May 2025: 67,056
May 2024: 65,960

Employment
May 2025: 64,813
May 2024: 63,991

Unemployed
May 2025: 2,243
May 2024: 1,969

Jobless rate
May 2025: 3.3%
May 2024: 3%

• Central Arkansas (Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway)
Labor force
May 2025: 385,086
May 2024: 379,088

Employment
May 2025: 372,485
May 2024: 367,478

Unemployed
May 2025: 12,601
May 2024: 11,610

Jobless rate
May 2025: 3.3%
May 2024: 3.1%

• Memphis/West Memphis (Tennessee-Arkansas)
Labor force
May 2025: 630,853
May 2024: 622,656

Employment
May 2025: 605,256
May 2024: 600,668

Unemployed
May 2025: 25,597
May 2024: 21,988

Jobless rate
May 2025: 4.1%
May 2024: 3.5%

• Texarkana (Arkansas-Texas)
Labor force
May 2025: 62,889
May 2024: 61,648

Employment
May 2025: 60,429
May 2024: 59,230

Unemployed
May 2025: 2,460
May 2024: 2,418

Jobless rate
May 2025: 3.9%
May 2024: 3.9%