Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Unemployment Drops Slightly In County

Clark County's unemployment rate fell slightly from January to February, going from 3.6 to 3.5 percent.

Jobless rates in surrounding counties were lower for the most part, with few seeing increases in the number of citizens needing jobs.

In Dallas County, the jobless figures climbed from 6.8 percent to 7.4 percent for the recording period, according to information from the Arkansas Employment Security Division.

Hot Spring County, though, saw a slight decline in its numbers, dropping from 6.5 to 6.3 percent.

Montgomery County had a significant drop of nearly a full percentage point, going from 6.0 to 5.3 percent.

In Nevada County, the numbers fell from 7.8 to 7.4 percent for the period in question.

Ouachita County enjoyed a nice drop in the number of its residents who need work, as its rate fell from 10.9 to 10.6 percent.

Pike County's rate also dropped, but only by 0.1 percent, falling from 5.5 percent to 5.4 percent.

The unemployment rates for February were lower in 35 counties than they were in January. However, they were higher in 33 and unchanged in seven.

The 3.5 percent figure was good enough for a second place spot for Clark County in the state's rankings.

Montgomery County entered the list in 21st, with Pike next in 22nd place.

Hot Spring County was listed in 31st position, while Dallas County is number 40 on the hit parade, tied with Nevada County.

Next on the list is Ouachita County, ranked 66th out of Arkansas' 75 counties.

Saline County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.3 percent, while Bradley County has the largest problem with joblessness at 13.7 percent.

There are six counties with jobless rates from 3.0 to 3.9 percent, and another nine falling into the 4.0 to 4.9 percent bracket.

The 5.0 to 5.9 percent range houses 12 counties, with another nine in the 6.0 to 6.9 percent bracket.

There are 11 counties composing the 7.0 to 7.9 percent division, with six in the 8.0 to 8.9 percent range.

Six more counties have jobless rates from 9.0 too 9.9 percent, while a total of 15 counties have double-digit unemployment in the state.

Ten are housed in the 10.0 to 10.9 percent region, with two in the 11.0 to 11.9 percent area. One, Jackson, is in the 12.0 to 12.9 percent slot, with two in the 13.0 to 13.9 percent position.

Mississippi County's jobless rate is 11.3 percent, with Lee coming in at 11.5 percent. Jackson's unemployment figure is 12.6 percent, while Randolph County's is 13.6 percent.

Checking the state's five Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), the Fayetteville- Springdale-Rogers MSA again has the lowest unemployment are at 3.8 percent, unchanged from January.

The Little Rock-North Little Rock MSA is next with a 4.2 percent rate, up from 4.1 percent a month earlier.

Then comes the Jonesboro MSA at 4.7 percent, rising from January's 4.5 percent rate.

The Fort Smith MSA rated fourth at 5.6 percent, down from 5.7 percent a month earlier.

And, once again, the Pine Bluff MSA had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, climbing from 8.4 percent.

Arkansas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in February, down 0.1 percent from January's figure of 5.3 percent.

The national jobless rate also fell 0.1 percent, from 4.7 percent to 4.6 percent.