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%.
Little Rock region sets record with 380,038 employed
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.
Little Rock shelters see an uptick amid Job Corps pause
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…