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Bradley County, Arkansas, has an annual GDP of approximately 442 million dollars, with a GDP per capita of about 42,262 dollars. The county's GDP growth rate over the last year has declined by 2%, contrasting with the state's growth rate of 1.3% and the national rate of 1.9%. Over the past 13 years, Bradley County's compound annual growth rate (CAGR) stands at a modest 0.3%, significantly lower than Arkansas's 2.12% and the national average of 2.2%. Notably, Bradley County has a high goods-producing GDP contribution of 47.9%, which is substantially above the state average of 22%. This indicates a strong reliance on manufacturing or agriculture, but the recent decline in growth suggests potential challenges ahead, especially when compared to more dynamic counties like Benton and Pulaski, which have shown more robust economic performance.
Bradley County, AR, exhibits a notably low employment rate of 60.3% for individuals aged 20-64, significantly below the Arkansas state average of 69.3% and the national average of 73.8%. The county's employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree (72.8%) and high school graduates (54.5%) also lags behind state figures (83.5% and 63.4%, respectively). Furthermore, the employment rate for Black residents in Bradley County is particularly concerning at 37.3%, compared to 52.1% statewide. This suggests systemic challenges in job accessibility and educational attainment within the county, highlighting a need for targeted economic development initiatives to improve employment opportunities and educational resources, especially in comparison to more prosperous counties like Benton and Washington, which boast employment rates above 74%.
Bradley County, AR, exhibits significant economic challenges compared to both state and national averages. With a mean household income of $43,688 and a median household income of $57,798, it falls well below Arkansas's state averages of $56,335 and $79,592, respectively. The county's income per capita of $23,830 is also notably lower than the state average of $31,868. Furthermore, a striking 26.1% of households earn less than $20,000, which is considerably higher than the state average of 16.3%. This economic disparity highlights the need for targeted economic development initiatives in Bradley County, especially when compared to more prosperous counties like Benton County, which boasts a mean household income of $85,269. The income inequality, indicated by a Gini index of 0.4717, suggests a moderate level of income disparity, but the high percentage of low-income households raises concerns about overall economic stability and growth potential in the region.