In February 2025, five out of seven metro areas in Arkansas reported year-over-year job gains, with Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, and Memphis-West Memphis among the largest gainers. However, the Jonesboro and Texarkana metro areas experienced job declines. Arkansas' overall unemployment rate increased to 3.6%, up from 3.4% in February 2024. Nationally, unemployment rates rose in 255 of 387 metro areas, with the U.S. jobless rate reaching 4.5% in February 2025.
Key highlights:
- Northwest Arkansas had the lowest jobless rate at 3.3%, while Texarkana, Hot Springs, and Memphis-West Memphis had the highest rates at 4.4%.
- Arkansas’ four largest metro areas—Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith, and Memphis-West Memphis—contributed significantly to the state’s overall job gains, with 11,560 new jobs, representing 63.5% of the state’s total increase.
- Central Arkansas added 8,015 jobs, while Northwest Arkansas saw an increase of 4,209 jobs. Fort Smith had a modest gain of 553 jobs.
- Nationally, Rapid City, S.D., and Sioux Falls, S.D.-Minn. had the lowest jobless rates at 2.1%, while El Centro, Calif., had the highest at 17.2%.
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