Arkansas jobless rate up to 7.9%

Arkansas’ jobless rate in November was 7.9%, up from 7.8% in October and up from the 7.6% in November 2009.

The Oklahoma jobless rate was 6.9%, unchanged from October, and up from the 6.8% in November 2009.

The Arkansas rate marks the 21st consecutive month above 7%, and continues to reflect a state economy struggling to create jobs. The number of unemployed rose to 106,509 in November from 104,831 in October. The number of unemployed in November is 2.45% greater than November 2009.

The state’s civilian labor force was 1.350 million in November, down 1.69% compared to November 2009, but up over the 1.344 million in October, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released Friday (Dec. 17).

“Arkansas’ unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point, slightly less than the national rate increase. This is the second consecutive month that the civilian labor force has grown, as more Arkansans entered or re-entered the workforce,” noted a statement from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

Arkansas’ total nonfarm employment rolls added a scant 100 jobs between October and November, settling at 1.169 million. However, the November figure is 10,800 jobs above the 1.158 million in November 2009. The state’s nonfarm employment is down 38,900 jobs since the peak of 1.208 million in February 2008.

Employment in Arkansas’ manufacturing sector grew to 165,200 in November, and is above the 159,300 employed in the sector in November 2009. The manufacturing sector in Arkansas has lost 73,700 jobs in the past 10 years (November 2000-November 2010), or 30.8% of sector employment.

“The increase occurred in durable goods manufacturing, related to new businesses and multiple expansion projects,” the DWS statement said of manufacturing job gains.

SECTOR NOTES
• Construction and construction-related jobs fell to an estimated 52,700 in November compared to 53,400 in October. The estimate is up over the 51,500 in November 2009. The job count is 4,800 below the peak of 57,500 first reached in February 2006.

• Jobs in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector — the state’s largest sector — gained slightly from 229,500 in October to 230,800 in November. The sector is down 0.34% compared to November 2009.

• The Professional & Business services sector lost an estimated 1,600 jobs in October to settle at 112,500. The sector employed 114,100 in October and 113,600 in November 2009.

• The state’s tourism sector — Leisure & Hospitality jobs — fell to 99,200 jobs in November. The sector employed 100,700 in October, and  100,800 in November 2009. The sector has been on a steady decline since peaking in August 2008 with 101,800 jobs.

• The government sector saw jobs increase to 212,500 in November, up from 212,400 in October, but below the 217,200 in November 2009.

NATIONAL STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, 21 states and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate increases, 15 states registered rate decreases, and 14 states had no rate change. Compared to a year ago, 28 states and the District of Columbia posted unemployment rate decreases, 17 states reported increases, and 5 states had no change.

The U.S. jobless rate in November was 9.8%, up from 9.6% in October, but down from 10% in November 2009.

Nevada continued to register the highest unemployment rate among the states, 14.3% in November. The states with the next highest rates were California and Michigan, 12.4% each, and Florida, 12%.

North Dakota reported the lowest jobless rate, 3.8%, followed by South Dakota and Nebraska, 4.5% and 4.6%, respectively.