Arkansas Keeps it Real, Reserve Says, on Income

For the third straight quarter in 2003, Arkansas remained second of seven regional states in real personal income growth, outpaced only by Mississippi.

The Fed published the third quarter numbers in the April issue of The Regional Economist banking magazine, which is published quarterly.

The area is a regional designation of the Eighth Federal Reserve District under the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis.

Arkansas showed significant growth in the third quarter, climbing from 1.9 percent in 2002 to 2.7 percent personal income growth in 2003.

The third quarter number also eclipsed 2003’s second quarter personal income growth of 2.0 percent.

Mississippi had 3.1 percent personal income growth during 2003’s second quarter, the best during the comparable quarters.