| Profile The North Central Arkansas Workforce Investment Area was home to 232,130 in 2010, a 1.8 percent increase in population from 2006. The labor force increased by 475 workers from 2009 to 2010, while employment increased by 50 to 93,600 during the same period. Unemployment increased by 425 employees between 2009 and 2010 and the unemployment rate rose four-tenths of a percentage point to 8.7 percent in 2010.
Job creation decreased in between the third quarter 2009 and third quarter 2010, while the number of new hires, the number of separations, and turnover rates all increased between the third quarters of 2009 and 2010. There were 70 less new jobs created in the third quarter of 2010, or 3,426 new jobs created while the number of new hires increased by 1,141 to 12,599 workers between the third quarters of 2009 and 2010. Separations increased by 728, or 13,743 workers, between the same periods. The turnover rate increased one-half a percentage point between the periods to 9.7 percent in the third quarter of 2010.
Cashiers, with an estimated employment of 2,750, is the largest occupation in the Area in 2010. Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer is the second largest, with an estimated employment of 2,190. Registered Nurses, with an estimated employment of 1,550, has the highest average wage of the 10 largest occupations, earning $53,765 annually.
Industry
Support Activities for Mining is anticipated to see the largest growth between 2010 and 2012. It is expected to add 373 workers to 1,883 in 2012. Pipeline Transportation is forecasted to see the fastest growth in the Area with a 50 percent growth over the projection period. Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing is expected to see the largest and fastest decline, losing 76 workers, or 97.44 percent, during the period, leaving a total of 2 employees in 2012.
Occupations
Personal and Home Care Aides is anticipated to see the most growth between 2010-2012, with 89 workers added, bringing its workforce to 931 in 2012. Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is expected to see the fastest growth, increasing its workforce by 33.33 percent to 28 workers in 2012. Farmers and Ranchers is projected to see the largest decline, losing 209 workers, giving a total of 8,005 in 2012. Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters is expected to see the fastest decline, losing 29 workers, or 80.56 percent, for a total of 7 workers in 2012.
The North Central Arkansas WIA includes 10 counties: Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, White, and Woodruff. Missouri shares a border with this Area.
Population 2006-2010
| 2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
Percent Change |
| 228,133 |
228,884 |
229,915 |
231,007 |
232,130 |
1.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program
2006-2010 Labor Force/Employment
| Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Labor Force |
101,675 |
101,225 |
102,625 |
101,975 |
102,450 |
| Employment |
95,525 |
94,850 |
96,200 |
93,550 |
93,600 |
| Unemployment |
6,150 |
6,375 |
6,425 |
8,425 |
8,850 |
| Unemployment Rate |
6.0 |
6.3 |
6.3 |
8.3 |
8.7 |
Source: Arkansas Department of Workforce Services
2011 Monthly Unemployment Rate*
| Year |
Period |
Unemployment Rate |
| 2011 |
January |
9.9 |
| 2011 |
February |
9.7 |
| 2011 |
March |
9.2 |
| 2011 |
April |
8.7 |
| 2011 |
May |
8.8 |
| 2011 |
June |
9.4 |
*Not Seasonally Adjusted, Not Preliminary
Source: Arkansas Department of Workforce Services
Quarterly Workforce Indicators
(All Ownerships)
| QWI Quickfacts |
2006_3 |
2007_3 |
2008_3 |
2009_3 |
2010_3 |
| Job Creation |
3,665 |
3,634 |
4,541 |
3,496 |
3,426 |
| New Hires |
14,225 |
14,614 |
16,080 |
11,458 |
12,599 |
| Separations |
16,478 |
16,362 |
17,490 |
13,015 |
13,743 |
| Turnover |
10.3% |
10.8% |
10.9% |
9.2% |
9.7% |
Job Creation: The number of new jobs that are created by either new area businesses or the expansion of employment by existing firms.
New Hires: Total number of accessions that were also not employed by that employer during the previous four quarters.
Separations: Total number of workers who were employed by a business in the current quarter, but not in the subsequent quarter.
Turnover Rate = (1/2)*(full-quarter accessions + full-quarter separations)/employment stable jobs
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Local Employment Dynamics
As of 9/07/2011 |
