Arkansas unemployment rises to 3.9% in latest Department of Commerce report against record high job level

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas unemployment numbers continue to climb in the latest Department of Commerce report.

The report shows unemployment went from 3.8% in August to 3.9% in September. This 0.1% increase followed the national increase for the same time period, which is now at 4.4%.

The state unemployment rate has been steadily climbing, though slowly, since a record low of 2.9% in the summer of 2023. The state has avoided the up-and-down peaks and valleys of changes in the national employment rate by remaining fairly stable, despite the slow increase.

The report shows the Arkansas civilian labor force increased by 3,437 in September, with 1,891 more unemployed actively seeking work and 1,546 additional employed. Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas rose by 16,000 in September to reach a new record high level of 1,393,300 jobs.

Compared to September 2024, Arkansas has 22,700 more jobs, the report stated. The Private Education and Health Services category posted the most significant growth, adding 8,800 jobs. Other notable category gains occurred in Trade-Transportation-Utilities, up 4,900; Leisure and Hospitality, up 4,700; Professional and Business Services, up 3,500; and Manufacturing, up 2,200, according to the report.

By county, Department of Commerce figures show the delta with the most significant unemployment rate of 7.2% in Desha County and 7% in Phillips County, both followed closely by Izard County in the state’s north with a 6.9% unemployment rate.

In northwest Arkansas, Benton, Washington, and Madison counties had below-state-average unemployment rates of 3.1%, 3.3%, and 3.3%, respectively.

Central in the state, Pulaski County showed a 4.3% unemployment rate, with surrounding Faulkner County at 3.7%, Saline County at 3.4%, Lonoke County at 3.6%, and Jefferson County at 6.3%.