Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.9% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 2,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market rose by 51 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 176 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 330 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 0.3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Fort Smith, AR-OK Unemployment July 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 23,300; -300
  • Manufacturing: 16,900; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 16,700; +100
  • Government: 15,200; -2,100
  • Business Services: 12,500; +600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 9,400; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 5,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 3,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Fort Smith, AR-OK Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.