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Arkansas Unemployment Rate Falls to 6 Percent in October

2 min read

Arkansas’ unemployment rate fell from September to October, dropping two-tenths of a percentage point to 6 percent, according to a report from the state Department of Workforce Services.

The report said Arkansas’ civilian labor force grew by 7,400, a result of 9,400 more employed and 2,000 fewer unemployed Arkansans.

During the same period, the U.S. jobless rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.8 percent.

More: View the entire report here (PDF).

“Arkansas’ employment increased for the second month in a row, adding 9,400 this month,” DWS Communications Director Becky Heflin said in a news release. “Compared to October 2013, the number of employed Arkansans is up 3,300.” 

Labor Force, Employment Grow Two Months in a Row

After breaking a five-month skid in September, the state’s labor force and employment numbers continued on the comeback trail in October.

Adding 7,400 to the rolls, the labor force crossed back over the 1.3 million mark. Since August, the labor force has added 11,100 workers.

The number of employed workers grew by 9,400 in October. Since August there have been 14,000 workers added to the state’s economy.

Even with the additions, both areas are down from the beginning of the year. 

The labor force is down 20,800 workers from January, and down 18,300 workers from a year ago. Meanwhile, the number of employed workers is down 2,800 from January. But that number is up 3,300 from a year ago.

 

Unemployed at Six-Year Low

The last time the number of unemployed workers in Arkansas was this low was in October 2008 when there were 78,900 unemployed.

This October, there were 79,000 unemployed workers. It dropped 2,000 from a month ago.

The number of unemployed is also down, significantly, from January (18,000) and a year ago (21,600).

 

Nonfarm Jobs Up 

Nonfarm payroll jobs were up 6,600 in October, totaling more than 1.2 million jobs in the state.

Seven major industry sectors reported growth — led by government, educational & health services, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing — while three sectors reported declines and one stayed the same.

From a year ago, nonfarm jobs were up 16,300 with six sectors showing growth and four showing decline.

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