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Mississippi County, Arkansas, has an annual GDP of approximately 3.65 billion dollars, with a GDP per capita of 90,480 dollars, indicating a relatively high economic output per resident. The county's GDP growth rate over the last year was 1.1%, while its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past 13 years stands at an impressive 5.96%. Notably, Mississippi County has a significant goods-producing sector, contributing 60.4% to its GDP, which is markedly higher than the state average of 22%. In comparison to other counties in Arkansas, such as Pulaski and Benton, which have higher GDPs but lower goods-producing contributions, Mississippi County's economy is heavily reliant on manufacturing and agriculture. This focus on goods production may provide resilience against economic fluctuations, distinguishing it from more service-oriented counties in the state.
Mississippi County, AR exhibits an employment rate of 66.2% for individuals aged 20-64, which is below the Arkansas state average of 69.3% and significantly lower than the national average of 73.8%. However, the county stands out with a high employment rate of 90.3% for those with a Bachelor's degree, surpassing both state (83.5%) and national (84.3%) figures. The high school graduate employment rate at 60.7% is also below the state average of 63.4%. Notably, the employment rate for Black individuals in Mississippi County is 49.7%, which is lower than the state average of 52.1%. Overall, while Mississippi County shows strengths in higher education employment, it faces challenges in overall employment rates compared to both state and national benchmarks.
Mississippi County, AR, exhibits a mean household income of $50,012 and a median household income of $71,494, which are notably lower than the state averages of $56,335 and $79,592, respectively. The county's income per capita stands at $27,863, reflecting economic challenges compared to the state’s $31,868. Additionally, Mississippi County has a higher percentage of households earning less than $20,000 (21.2%) compared to the state average of 16.3%, indicating a significant portion of the population is struggling financially. The income inequality, as measured by the Gini index (0.4905), is also pronounced, suggesting disparities in income distribution. Overall, Mississippi County lags behind both state and national benchmarks, highlighting the need for economic development initiatives to improve local living standards.