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Drew County, Arkansas, has an annual GDP of approximately 757 million dollars and a GDP per capita of about 43,751 dollars. The county's GDP growth rate over the last year has declined by 1.2%, reflecting a challenging economic environment, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.34% over the past 13 years. Notably, Drew County has a significant goods-producing GDP contribution of 37.4%, which is higher than the state average of 22%, indicating a strong manufacturing or agricultural base. However, this is contrasted by a lower service-providing contribution of 42.3%, compared to the state’s 66.3%. In comparison to other counties in Arkansas, Drew County's economic performance is weaker, particularly when juxtaposed with Pulaski County's robust GDP per capita of 91,000 dollars and positive growth rates.
Drew County, AR exhibits an employment rate of 68.5% for individuals aged 20-64, which is slightly below the Arkansas state average of 69.3% and significantly lower than the national average of 73.8%. The county's employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree is relatively strong at 85.8%, surpassing the state average of 83.5% and approaching the national figure of 84.3%. However, the employment rate for Black residents in Drew County is notably low at 38.9%, compared to 52.1% statewide, indicating potential disparities in employment opportunities. Overall, while Drew County shows strengths in educational attainment, it faces challenges in overall employment rates and racial equity compared to both state and national benchmarks.
Drew County, AR, exhibits significant economic challenges compared to both state and national averages. With a mean household income of $44,968 and a median household income of $66,829, Drew County falls below Arkansas's state averages of $56,335 and $79,592, respectively. The county's income per capita of $27,349 is also notably lower than the state average of $31,868. Furthermore, Drew County has a higher percentage of households earning less than $20,000 (24.7%) compared to the state (16.3%) and national averages (12.1%). The income inequality, indicated by a Gini index of 0.4952, suggests a moderate level of income disparity, which is slightly higher than the state average of 0.4821. Overall, Drew County's economic indicators highlight a need for targeted development strategies to improve income levels and reduce poverty.