So you were planning of moving to Arkansas, but you just haven’t been absolutely convinced yet? Ok, you will be pleased that you are here. We did a lot of research and put this analyst’s answer to all things Arkansas together. It has facts, figures, statistics, pros/cons, and even some odd things, all to help you pin down your ultimate ruling.
There is absolutely no lack of wonder and natural beauty in Arkansas, known officially as The Wonder State, and generally as The Natural State. The crystal-clear streams, rivers and lakes of the state are like something from a fantasy. The Ozark Mountains also pass straight across Arkansas and cover the area with a big ol ‘assist of the defectively of Mama Nature.
Back in the early part of the 20th century, during the Great Depression, another famous nickname, The Land of Opportunity, came from a tourist slogan and was intended to draw development and economic prosperity to the state. Looks like this has succeeded.
The Arkansas population is about 3,020,327, with about 16,048 coming here alone in 2017. In terms of population density, Arkansas ranks No. 34 in the nation.
But apart from the breathtaking views, The Natural State is often popular for other famous things, such as celebrities. Bill Clinton, Billy Bob Thornton, Johnny Cash and some notable names were all born here. In the mid-’90s, the rock band Evanescence was also formed in Little Rock, the capital of the state. If you ask us, that’s quite a lineup. But who’s thinking that we’re moving on and dreaming about the Arkansas job market?
Unless you are generate profits, like the Walton Family , you’re sure to have to get a job. Let’s talk about what Arkansas job market looks like.
The state unemployment rate is 3.8 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is a few strands lower than the average. According to minimum-wage.org, the minimum wage actually stands at $8.50 per hour, which is just a minor improvement over the national minimum.
But you wouldn’t like a minimum wage. The hottest job in Arkansas right now are physical therapist, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, phlebotomist, speech/language pathologist, machinist and EMT are some of the fastest-growing occupations here.
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But you’re searching for more cash. The highest-paying occupations are OB/GYN, dentist, pediatrician, podiatrist, surgeon, anesthetic nurse, and psychiatrist. For now, the medical sector seems to pretty much dominate the top-dollar possibilities for the state.
If you go along with your bright new career, you’re likely going to be looking for a new environment to settle. Well, let’s see what the housing market looks like in Arkansas.
If you’re on a limited budget, you’ll be glad to learn that Arkansas’ average home is about $175,000, and sells for approximately $143,000. The state’s estimated median home value is $122,000, and over the past year, prices have risen 5.2 percent.
But if you prefer rentals, the average monthly rent for a home is around $1,095 a month.
If you want something minimal, You’ll pay about $678 each month for a one-bedroom apartment in the state’s capital, Little Rock. It’s still insanely affordable, but some of the locations in Arkansas are still cheaper. We looked at the internet, and a one-bedroom is anywhere from $522/month to month in Hot Springs, Fayetteville, Jonesboro and Bentonville.
At the moment, there isn’t too much of this going on around the state. In the northwest corner such as Fayetteville, there is a decent amount of construction underway.
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