Metroplan estimates that, by January 1, 2024, regional population had reached 770,672, 7.1 percent higher than its Census 2020 level of 748,031. Regional population growth averaged about 0.8 percent annually from 2010 to 2020, compared with annualized U.S. population growth of about 0.7 percent over the same period. Source: Census 2010, Metroplan estimates, Census Bureau estimates.

In 2023, 33.2 percent of Central Arkansas adults over age 25 held BA degrees or higher, slightly below the national average (36.2 percent). The region’s rank was 163rd out of 393 U.S. metros measured for this metric. In Pulaski County, 36.2 percent of population over age 25 held BA degrees or higher. Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

In December 2024, regional unemployment was 3.1 percent, compared with a U.S. rate of 3.8 percent. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. Figures not seasonally adjusted.
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In 2024, 397,900 persons were employed in the Central Arkansas region. From 2020 to 2024, employment grew 12.5 percent in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway MSA. Total U.S. jobs grew 11.7 percent in the same period. From 2010 to 2019 – prior to the Covid pandemic, Little Rock region employment grew 8.2 percent, while total U.S. employment grew 15.8 percent. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payroll jobs series.

Income per resident was $59,463 in 2023. This ranked central Arkansas 181st highest among 384 U.S. metro areas measured. Regional per capita income ranked 34th out of 60 mid-sized U.S. metro areas (between 500,000 and 1 million population). Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, rankings by Metroplan.

From 2018 to 2023, local income per resident grew by 32.3 percent. This compares with a national average of 30.7 percent. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Figures in nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Figures in nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

In 2022, residents of the Little Rock Urbanized Area drove an average of 38.0 daily miles per capita. This ranks second among the top 100 largest U.S. urbanized areas (just behind Nashville and ahead of Knoxville), and substantially higher than the 24.2-mile daily average figure for all U.S. urbanized areas. Source: Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2022.

The Little Rock Urbanized Area had an average of 14,013 vehicles per day per lane of freeway in 2022. This compares with an average for U.S. urbanized areas of 14,037 vehicles per day. Source: Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2022.

Owner-occupied housing is less expensive in central Arkansas than in much of the rest of the country. In 2023, the median monthly housing cost for owners with a mortgage was $1,412, ranking 98th lowest among 393 U.S. metro areas. The region ranked 5th lowest among the 56 mid-sized metros (between 500,000 and 1 million population). Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Rankings by Metroplan.

Median renter cost in the region in 2023 was $1,031, ranking 140th lowest among 393 U.S. metro areas, and 8th lowest among the 56 mid-sized metros (between 500,000 and 1 million population). Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Rankings by Metroplan.