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Little River County, Arkansas, has an annual GDP of approximately 607 million dollars and a GDP per capita of about 50,476 dollars. The county's GDP growth rate over the last year was modest at 0.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 0.26% over the past 13 years, indicating a stagnation in economic growth compared to the state and national averages. In contrast, Arkansas has a GDP of 166 billion dollars and a growth rate of 1.3%, while the national GDP stands at 25.7 trillion dollars with a growth rate of 1.9%. Notably, Little River County's goods-producing sector contributes a significant 57.1% to its GDP, which is higher than the state average of 22%. This reliance on goods production may explain its slower growth, as the service sector, which is more dynamic, contributes only 33% to the local economy.
Little River County, AR, exhibits an employment rate of 69.5% 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 stands at 84.6%, aligning closely with the state rate of 83.5% and the national figure of 84.3%. Notably, the high school graduate employment rate in Little River County is 68.6%, surpassing the state average of 63.4%. Comparatively, while the county's overall employment figures are modest, its educational attainment rates suggest a potential for growth, particularly in attracting higher-skilled jobs, as seen in more prosperous counties like Benton (79%) and Washington (74.1%) in Arkansas.
Little River County, AR, presents a mixed economic picture when compared to both state and national averages. With a mean household income of $58,627 and a median household income of $71,108, it falls slightly below the Arkansas state averages of $56,335 and $79,592, respectively. However, it outperforms several neighboring counties, such as Jefferson and Miller, which have lower income levels. The county's income per capita stands at $28,764, indicating a lower economic output per individual compared to the state average of $31,868. Notably, Little River County has a relatively low income inequality, as reflected by its Gini index of 0.4101, which is better than both the state and national figures. This suggests a more equitable income distribution, although the presence of 15.1% of households earning less than $20,000 highlights ongoing economic challenges.