County unemployment numbers under statewide rate
The unemployment rate for the state dropped by one tenth of a point according to the latest labor force data released Friday by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.
According to the ADWS, Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined from 4.5 percent in February to 4.4 percent in March. Arkansas’ civilian labor force decreased 3,789, a result of 2,382 fewer employed and 1,407 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The United States’ jobless rate declined two tenths of a percentage point, from 6.2 percent in February to 6.0 percent in March.
“Arkansas’ unemployment rate continues to decline, down to 4.4 percent in March,” said Bureau of Labor and Statistics Program Operations Manager Susan Price. “Unemployment is now half a percentage point higher than in March 2020, when Arkansas’ prepandemic unemployment rate was at 3.9 percent.”
The latest data available for Saline County shows the county at a 4.2 percent rate of unemployment, placing the county at number four for the lowest unemployment rate in the state. Benton County has the lowest rate at 3.7 percent, while Chicot County ranks last with an 11.2 percent unemployment rate.
According to the ADWS, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas increased 9,400 in March to total 1,258,700. Nine major industry sectors posted job gains. Employment in leisure and hospitality rose 3,200. Most of the hiring occurred in food services (+2,400). Educational and health services added 2,000 jobs, largely in health care and social assistance (+1,500). Jobs in professional and business services increased 1,000. Gains were posted in administrative and support services (+900) and management of companies (+500). Other notable expansions occurred in manufacturing (+800), financial activities (+800), and other services (+800).
Compared to March 2020, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll job totals are down 29,200. Declines were reported in seven major industry sectors, while three sectors added jobs. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest loss (-12,000). Most of the decreases occurred in food services (-8,500) and accommodation services (-2,600). Employment in government is down 9,000. Local government (-6,400) and state government (-2,100) posted much of the loss. Jobs in educational and health services declined 6,100, all in health care and social assistance (-6,100). Smaller decreases were reported in professional and business services (-1,700), information (-1,300), and trade-transportation utilities (-1,100). Jobs in manufacturing rose 1,300. Expansions in durable goods (+4,200) more than offset losses in nondurable goods (-2,900). Construction (+600) and financial activities (+400) posted minor gains.