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Lawrence County, Arkansas, has an annual GDP of approximately 567 million dollars, with a GDP per capita of about 34,886 dollars. The county's GDP growth rate for the last year stands at 4.3%, which is notably higher than the state's growth rate of 1.3% and reflects a positive trend compared to its 0.02% CAGR over the past 13 years. The goods-producing sector contributes 24.9% to the GDP, indicating a robust manufacturing or agricultural base, while the service sector accounts for 60.4%. In comparison to other counties in Arkansas, Lawrence County's GDP per capita is lower than Pulaski and Benton counties, which have per capita figures of 91,000 and 74,948 dollars, respectively. This suggests that while Lawrence County is experiencing growth, it still lags behind more economically developed areas in the state.
Lawrence County, AR, exhibits an employment rate of 63.4% for individuals aged 20-64, which is notably lower than the state average of 69.3% and significantly below the national average of 73.8%. While the county's employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree (84.8%) aligns closely with the state (83.5%) and national (84.3%) figures, its high school graduate employment rate of 61.2% lags behind both state (63.4%) and national (67.9%) averages. Additionally, the employment rate for Black residents in Lawrence County is particularly low at 36.8%, compared to 52.1% statewide and 57.2% nationally. This suggests that while educational attainment is relatively strong, broader economic challenges may be impacting overall employment opportunities, particularly for marginalized groups.
Lawrence County, AR, exhibits a mean household income of $43,606 and a median household income of $62,355, significantly lower than both the state averages of $56,335 and $79,592, respectively. The county's income per capita stands at $25,301, which is also below the state average of $31,868. Notably, 18.9% of households earn less than $20,000, indicating a higher level of economic distress compared to the state average of 16.3%. In contrast, neighboring counties like Benton and Pulaski boast mean household incomes exceeding $58,000, highlighting a stark economic disparity within the region. The income inequality, as indicated by the Gini index of 0.4590, suggests a relatively balanced income distribution compared to other counties in Arkansas, but the overall economic conditions in Lawrence County remain challenging.