Metro Jobless Rates Improve In All 8 Markets

Compared to one year ago, the March unemployment rates in all 8 metropolitan statistical areas in Arkansas declined.

The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers region fell to 5.7% in March 2012 from 6.3% one year ago. Pine Bluff remained the highest of the metro areas with 9.3%, but that was a full percentage point lower than one year ago.

In the U.S., unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 342 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 16 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, noted a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, 13 areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15%, while 17 areas registered rates of less than 5% nationally.

The U.S. unemployment rate in March was 8.2%, down from 8.9% from a year earlier.

Arkansas’ jobless rate was 7.4% in March, down from 7.6% during February and below the 8% rate in March 2011.

ARKANSAS METRO AREAS
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
March 2012: 5.7%
Feb. 2012: 6.5%
March 2011: 6.3%

Fort Smith
March 2012: 8%
Feb. 2012: 9.2%
March 2011: 8.8%

Hot Springs
March 2012: 7.8%
Feb. 2012: 8.8%
March 2011: 8.6%

Jonesboro
March 2012: 7%
Feb. 2012: 8.1%
March 2011: 7.9%

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
March 2012: 6.7%
Feb. 2012: 7.4%
March 2011: 7%

Memphis-West Memphis
March 2012: 8.8%
Feb. 2012: 9.2%
March 2011: 10%

Pine Bluff
March 2012: 9.3%
Feb. 2012: 10.3%
March 2011: 10.3%

Texarkana
March 2012: 6.7%
Feb. 2012: 7.1%
March 2011: 7.4%