The document analyzes economic and demographic characteristics of Pulaski County, Arkansas. It finds that Pulaski County experienced 2.2% population growth from 2010 to 2013, ranking it 8th out of Arkansas counties. While Pulaski County recovered faster than the rest of the state from the recession, its per capita income, median household income, and rates of poverty are lower than the national averages, with people of color faring worse than whites on these economic measures.

2. The Pulaski County Economy
• Economic Characteristics
• Experience in Recession and Recovery
• Demographic & Economic Features
• Black/White Comparisons

3. Arkansas Per Capita Personal Income, Percent of U.S. (2012)
(AR ≈ 81%)

4. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

5. Population Growth
• From 2010 through 2013, only 22 Arkansas counties saw
positive population growth.
• Pulaski County was #8 with 2.2% cumulative growth.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

6. Recession and Recovery
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

7. Recession and Recovery
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.

8. USA Arkansas Pulaski County Little Rock
Population, percent change, April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013 2.4% 1.5% 2.2%
Population, percent change, April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012 1.7% 1.2% 1.6% 1.6%
Persons under 5 years, percent, 2012 6.4% 6.6% 6.9% 7.0%
Persons under 18 years, percent, 2012 23.5% 24.1% 23.8% 24.1%
Persons 65 years and over, percent, 2012 13.7% 15.0% 12.6% 11.3%
White alone, percent, 2012 (a) 77.9% 80.0% 59.7% 48.9%
Black or African American alone, percent, 2012 (a) 13.1% 15.6% 35.5% 42.3%
Asian alone, percent, 2012 (a) 5.1% 1.4% 2.2% 2.7%
Two or More Races, percent, 2012 2.4% 1.8% 1.9% 1.7%
Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2012 (b) 16.9% 6.8% 6.0% 6.8%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2012 63.0% 73.9% 54.6% 46.7%
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2008-2012 85.7% 83.3% 89.1% 89.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2008-2012 28.5% 19.8% 31.6% 38.4%
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2012 dollars), 2008-2012 $28,051 $22,007 $27,744 $29,841
Median household income, 2008-2012 $53,046 $40,531 $46,102 $45,135
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2008-2012 14.90% 18.70% 17.20% 18.20%
Black-owned firms, percent, 2007 7.10% 5.50% 14.10% 16.20%
Hispanic-owned firms, percent, 2007 8.30% 2.30% 2.10% 2.20%
Women-owned firms, percent, 2007 28.80% 24.50% 26.70% 27.50%
Retail sales per capita, 2007 $12,990 $11,602 $16,435 $17,853
(a) Includes persons reporting only one race. (b) Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in applicable race categories.
Selected Census Quick Facts
Source: US Census Bureau State & County QuickFacts

9. Some Statistics in Black & White

10. Income and Poverty
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2012
U.S. Arkansas Pulaski Co.
White 13.0% 16.5% 11.4%
Black 28.1% 35.1% 30.7%
Hispanic* 25.4% 31.7% 25.1%
Poverty Rates by Race and Ethnicity, 2012
*Hispanic poverty rates are for the Little Rock-N. Little Rock-Conway MSA.
U.S. Arkansas Pulaski Co.
White 54,729 42,740 56,105
Black 25,256 30,652 31,223
Hispanic* 40,417 33,131 30,127
*Hispanic median incomes are for the Little Rock-N. Little Rock-Conway MSA.
Median Household Income by Race and Ethnicity, 2012

11. Unemployment
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2012
U.S. Arkansas Pulaski Co.
White 8.0% 7.1% 5.7%
Male 8.3% 7.2% 6.5%
Female 7.7% 6.9% 4.8%
Black 16.8% 16.1% 14.9%
Male 18.2% 18.4% 14.3%
Female 15.6% 14.3% 15.4%
Hispanic* 11.4% 5.9% 6.9%
Male 10.6% 5.9% 7.5%
Female 12.6% 5.9% 5.8%
Unemployment Rates by Race, Ethnicity, & Gender, 2012
*Hispanic unemployment rates are for the Little Rock-N. Little Rock-Conway MSA.

12. Educational Attainment
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2012