Unemployment rates in Arkansas metro areas continue to show year-over-year reductions, with the decline in rates ranging from 0.3% in Fayetteville to -2.2% in Memphis.  Statewide, the unemployment rate was down 0.5% from a year earlier (not seasonally adjusted).

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

Seasonally adjusted estimates for September show that unemployment rate changes from August to September were mixed.  Rates ticked up 0.1% in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, but declined in Fort Smith, Texarkana and Memphis.  The drop in the unemployment rate for Memphis was particularly notable – down 0.4%.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

Payroll Employment
Nonfarm payroll employment showed increases across most of Arkansas’ metro areas, with the exception of Memphis (-0.2%).  Jonesboro (+1.1%), Fort Smith (+0.8%) and Little Rock (+0.6%) were up significantly, with Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and Texarkana also showing increases (all +0.3%).

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics (CES)

Employment growth over the past year has generally been consistent with longer term trends, with Fayetteville and Jonesboro leading the pack.  Hot Springs has experienced above-trend growth over the past 12 months, +2.4%.  Fort Smith, Little Rock and Memphis have all shown relatively small changes in employment, while employment in Pine Bluff and Texarkana continues to decline.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics (CES)