Most Arkansas metros post year-over-year job gains in December

Six of the seven metro areas in or connected to Arkansas posted year-over-year job gains in December, but most of the areas continue to show increases in the number of unemployed. Only the Memphis/West Memphis metro posted a decrease in the number of unemployed.

Year-over-year nonfarm job numbers were unchanged in the Hot Springs metro.

Jobless rates in the seven metro areas in or connected to Arkansas ranged from a low of 3.1% in Northwest Arkansas to a high of 4.4% in the Fort Smith and Hot Springs metros, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The December report is preliminary and subject to revision.

Central Arkansas – Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway – had 405,500 nonfarm jobs in December, up 4,100 jobs, or 1%, compared with December 2024. The metro had 15,381 unemployed, up 28.4% from 11,978 in December 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the December report.

Northwest Arkansas, the state’s second largest metro area, had an estimated 323,700 nonfarm jobs in December, up 11,100 jobs, or 3.6%, compared with December 2024. The metro had 10,046 unemployed, up 23% from 8,166 in December 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record of 324,900 in October 2025.

The Fort Smith metro, Arkansas’ third largest metro, had an estimated 105,200 nonfarm jobs in December, up 700 jobs, or 0.7%, compared with December 2024. Regional employment remains below the peak of 108,800 in November 2007. The metro had 4,529 unemployed, up 35% from 3,354 in December 2024.

The Jonesboro metro had an estimated 66,900 nonfarm jobs in December, up 900 jobs, or 1.4%, compared with December 2024. The metro had 2,639 unemployed, up 25.4% from 2,105 in December 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the December 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’ nonfarm jobs again set a record in December, rising 1.13% compared with December 2024. Job gains were driven by an almost 5% boost to tourism industry jobs, and an almost 3% rise in Education and Health Services jobs. However, the number of jobless rose 21%. The state’s jobless rate in December was 4.2%, up from 3.6% in December 2024.

Nationwide, unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 255 of the 387 metro areas, lower in 110 areas, and unchanged in 22 areas, according to the BLS report. A total of 61 areas had jobless rates of less than 3% and 9 areas had rates of at least 8%. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 5 metro areas, decreased in 2 areas, and was essentially unchanged in 380 areas. The U.S. jobless rate in December was 4.1%, up from 3.8% in December 2024.

In December, Decatur, Ala., and Huntsville, Ala., had the lowest unemployment rates at 1.9% each. El Centro, Calif., had the highest rate at 18.6%. A total of 223 areas had December jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.1%, 155 areas had rates above it, and 9 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
December 2025: 323,700
December 2024: 312,600

Unemployed
December 2025: 10,046
December 2024: 8,166

Jobless rate
December 2025: 3.1%
December 2024: 2.6%

• Fort Smith metro (Arkansas-Oklahoma)
Nonfarm Employment
December 2025: 105,200
December 2024: 104,500

Unemployed
December 2025: 4,529
December 2024: 3,354

Jobless rate
December 2025: 4.4%
December 2024: 3.3%

• Hot Springs
Nonfarm Employment
December 2025: 40,800
December 2024: 40,800

Unemployed
December 2025: 1,941
December 2024: 1,543

Jobless rate
December 2025: 4.4%
December 2024: 3.5%

• Jonesboro
Nonfarm Employment
December 2025: 66,900
December 2024: 66,000

Unemployed
December 2025: 2,639
December 2024: 2,105

Jobless rate
December 2025: 3.9%
December 2024: 3.7%

• Central Arkansas (Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway)
Nonfarm Employment
December 2025: 405,500
December 2024: 401,400

Unemployed
December 2025: 15,381
December 2024: 11,978

Jobless rate
December 2025: 3.9%
December 2024: 3.1%

• Memphis/West Memphis (Tennessee-Arkansas)
Nonfarm Employment
December 2025: 666,500
December 2024: 666,100

Unemployed
December 2025: 25,586
December 2024: 26,599

Jobless rate
December 2025: 4%
December 2024: 4.2%

• Texarkana (Arkansas-Texas)
Nonfarm Employment
December 2025: 61,700
December 2024: 61,300

Unemployed
December 2025: 2,645
December 2024: 2,390

Jobless rate
December 2025: 4.2%
December 2024: 3.8%