September job numbers up in all Arkansas metros

The central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas regions posted significant year-over-year job gains and new records for nonfarm payroll jobs, but the two regions also posted more than 35% jumps in the number of unemployed.

Jobless rates in the seven metro areas in or connected to Arkansas ranged from a low of 3.3% in Northwest Arkansas to a high of 4.5% in the Hot Springs and Texarkana metros, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report posted Wednesday (Dec. 17). All seven regions posted year-over-year job gains, ranging from 10,300 in Northwest Arkansas to 100 in Hot Springs.

The September report is preliminary and subject to revision. The report was delayed six weeks because of the federal government shutdown.

Central Arkansas — Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway — had 403,100 nonfarm jobs in September, up 5,300 jobs, or 1.3%, compared with September 2024. The metro had 15,612 unemployed, up 36% from 11,483 in September 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the September report.

Northwest Arkansas, the state’s second largest metro area, had an estimated 321,000 nonfarm jobs in September, up 10,300 jobs, or 3.3%, compared with September 2024. The metro had 10,691 unemployed, up 37.7% from 7,762 in September 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the September report.

The Fort Smith metro, Arkansas’ third largest metro had an estimated 104,600 nonfarm jobs in September, up 800 jobs, or 0.77%, compared with September 2024. Regional employment remains below the peak of 108,800 in November 2007. The metro had 4,352 unemployed, up 32.1% from 3,294 in September 2024.

The Jonesboro metro had an estimated 66,100 nonfarm jobs in September, up 1,000 jobs, or 1.5%, compared with September 2024. The metro had 2,680 unemployed, up 37% from 1,956 in September 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the September report.

The 2025 numbers reflect significant 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.

ARKANSAS, NATIONAL NUMBERS
Arkansas’ year-over-year job numbers were up 1.65% in September, but the number of unemployed was up more than 12%. As a result, the state’s September jobless rate was 3.9%, up from 3.5% in September 2024.

Unemployment rates were higher in September than a year earlier in 275 of the 387 U.S. metro areas, lower in 83 areas, and unchanged in 29 areas, according to Wednesday’s BLS report. A total of 45 areas had jobless rates of less than 3% and 8 areas had rates of at least 8%. The national unemployment rate in September was 4.3%, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.9% a year earlier.

In September, Sioux Falls, S.D.-Minn., had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.8%. El Centro, Calif., had the highest rate at 21.5%. A total of 245 areas had September jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.3%, 127 areas had rates above it, and 15 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.

ARKANSAS METRO JOBS DATA
Following are labor market data for the seven metro areas.
• Northwest Arkansas
Nonfarm Employment
September 2025: 321,100
September 2024: 310,800

Unemployed
September 2025: 10,691
September 2024: 7,762

Jobless rate
September 2025: 3.3%
September 2024: 2.5%

• Fort Smith metro (Arkansas-Oklahoma)
Nonfarm Employment
September 2025: 104,600
September 2024: 103,800

Unemployed
September 2025: 4,352
September 2024: 3,294

Jobless rate
September 2025: 4.2%
September 2024: 3.2%

• Hot Springs
Nonfarm Employment
September 2025: 40,400
September 2024: 40,300

Unemployed
September 2025: 1,945
September 2024: 1,467

Jobless rate
September 2025: 4.5%
September 2024: 3.4%

• Jonesboro
Nonfarm Employment
September 2025: 66,100
September 2024: 65,100

Unemployed
September 2025: 2,680
September 2024: 1,956

Jobless rate
September 2025: 3.9%
September 2024: 2.9%

• Central Arkansas (Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway)
Nonfarm Employment
September 2025: 403,100
September 2024: 397,800

Unemployed
September 2025: 15,612
September 2024: 11,483

Jobless rate
September 2025: 4%
September 2024: 3%

• Memphis/West Memphis (Tennessee-Arkansas)
Nonfarm Employment
September 2025: 664,600
September 2024: 658,900

Unemployed
September 2025: 27,777
September 2024: 26,583

Jobless rate
September 2025: 4.4%
September 2024: 4.3%

• Texarkana (Arkansas-Texas)
Nonfarm Employment
September 2025: 61,400
September 2024: 60,400

Unemployed
September 2025: 2,889
September 2024: 2,514

Jobless rate
September 2025: 4.5%
September 2024: 4%