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Calhoun County, Arkansas, presents a unique economic profile characterized by a significant reliance on goods production, which constitutes 73.3% of its GDP, far exceeding the state average of 22% and the national average of 17.4%. Despite this strength, the county's annual GDP stands at approximately $400 million, with a GDP per capita of $83,783, indicating a relatively high income level compared to other counties in Arkansas. However, Calhoun County has faced economic challenges, evidenced by a sharp GDP growth rate decline of 8.3% over the last year, contrasting with the state's modest growth of 1.3%. This downturn highlights potential vulnerabilities in its goods-producing sector, especially when compared to more diversified economies like Pulaski and Benton counties, which have shown more resilience and growth.
Calhoun County, AR, exhibits significantly lower employment rates compared to both state and national averages. With an employment rate of 50.4% for individuals aged 20-64, it lags behind Arkansas's 69.3% and the national rate of 73.8%. The county's employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree (71.9%) is also below the state (83.5%) and national (84.3%) figures. Notably, the employment rate for Black residents in Calhoun County is just 32.7%, starkly lower than Arkansas's 52.1% and the national average of 57.2%. This suggests systemic challenges in job accessibility and economic opportunities within Calhoun County, highlighting a need for targeted economic development initiatives to improve employment outcomes and educational attainment.
Calhoun County, AR, exhibits a Mean Household Income of $60,237 and a Median Household Income of $65,273, which are below the state averages of $56,335 and $79,592, respectively. The county's Income Per Capita stands at $24,047, significantly lower than both the state ($31,868) and national averages ($41,261). Notably, Calhoun County has a higher percentage of households earning less than $20K (20%) compared to the state (16.3%) and a lower percentage of households earning over $200K (7.6% vs. 8.6% for Arkansas). The county's Gini index of 0.3919 indicates a more equitable income distribution than many neighboring counties, suggesting that while income levels are low, wealth is less concentrated. Overall, Calhoun County faces economic challenges relative to both state and national benchmarks, highlighting the need for targeted economic development initiatives.