GDP
Arkansas produced roughly $175 billion in economic output in 2023, led by retail, transportation, poultry and steel.
Real GDP (chained 2017 dollars)
1997–2025BEA, chained 2017 dollars (FRED ARRGSP).
| Indicator | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (USD B) | 175 | 29200 |
- •Three Fortune 500 companies — Walmart, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt — are headquartered in Arkansas.
GDP Growth
Arkansas's real GDP grew about 2.0% in 2023.
Real GDP growth
1998–2025Annual % change in BEA real GDP (ARRGSP).
Personal Income
Arkansas's per capita personal income was about $54,500 in 2023, below the U.S. average.
Per capita personal income
1970–2025BEA, current dollars (FRED ARPCPI).
Median Household Income
Median household income in Arkansas is about $58,700, among the lowest in the nation, offset by very low living costs.
Median household income (CPS)
1984–2025Census CPS ASEC, current dollars (FRED MEHOINUSARA646N).
| Indicator | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income (USD) | 58700 | 78538 |
Poverty Rate
About 16.0% of Arkansans lived below the poverty line in 2023.
Poverty rate, all ages (SAIPE)
1989–2024Census Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (FRED PPAAAR05000A156NCEN).
| Indicator | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16 | 11.1 |
Inflation
South-region consumer prices covering Arkansas rose about 2.8% year over year.
CPI inflation, U.S.
2007–2024BLS CPI-U U.S. city average, annual average change (CPIAUCNS).
CPI inflation, South region
2007–2025BLS CPI-U all items, South region, annual average change (CUUR0300SA0).
| Indicator | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Inflation (%) | 2.8 | 2.9 |
Economic Output
Arkansas exported roughly $6.4 billion in goods in 2023, led by agricultural and industrial machinery.
Nominal GDP (current dollars)
1997–2025BEA, current dollars (FRED ARNGSP).
Industry Breakdown
Manufacturing and agriculture together anchor Arkansas's economy, with manufacturing near 13% of GDP.
Government jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED ARGOVT).
Manufacturing jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED ARMFG).
Construction jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED ARCONS).