Clark County’s unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) is at 5.4% for July 2023, according to a preliminary county-by-county report released this month by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services

This is up from 4.9% in June and 3.6% in May.

According to the report, Clark County had a labor force of 8,340 persons with 7,891 employed and 449 unemployed in July. This compares to June’s labor force of 8,426 with 8,014 employed and 412 unemployed.

Statewide, Arkansas’ unemployment rate is currently recorded at 2.6% for July, no change from June. The state had a labor force of 1,386,974. The national unemployment rate for July is currently recorded at 3.5% for July, down from 3.6% in June. The United States had a labor force of 167,103,000.

Of the six neighboring Southwest Arkansas counties surveyed, each reported an increase in jobless rates from June to July. Counties are listed with their county seats in parentheses: i.e., Clark County (Arkadelphia):

The unemployment rate for Dallas County (Fordyce) is at 3.8% for July, up from 3.6% in June. Dallas County reports a labor force of 2,653.

The unemployment rate for Hot Spring County (Malvern) is at 3.7% for July, up from 3.3% in June. Hot Spring County reports a labor force of 14,084.

The unemployment rate for Montgomery County (Mt. Ida) is at 4.9% for July, up from 4.4% in June. Montgomery County reports a labor force of 2,953.

The unemployment rate for Nevada County (Prescott) is at 4.1% for July, up from 3.8% in June. Nevada County reports a labor force of 3,331.

The unemployment rate for Ouachita County (Camden) is at 3.8% for July, up from 3.4% in June. Ouachita County reports a labor force of 9,490.

The unemployment rate for Pike County (Murfreesboro) is at 3.6% for July, up from 3.4% in June. Pike County reports a labor force of 4,053.