Money is tight for a lot of families across the country, and data showed it is especially true in Arkansas.
Recent data ranked the Natural State in the bottom three for median household incomes, along with Mississippi and West Virginia.
But one local economist said folks in Northwest Arkansas can help improve the entire state.
"For Northwest Arkansas to prosper, really, it's in our best interest for the whole state to do well economically."
When it comes to making money, people in Arkansas ranked almost dead last. According to the United States Census Bureau, the state is in the bottom three for median incomes.
But University of Arkansas Economist Kathy Deck said folks in Northwest Arkansas are fortunate.
"Northwest Arkansas is wealthier than much of the rest of the state."
The median household income for the state is $38,307 based on 2010 census data. In the Northwest corner alone, that number jumps to $43,080.
"It's important for those of us here in Northwest Arkansas to care if the rest of Arkansas is not doing well... We as a state really do rise and fall together."
To put the state on the right path, Deck said higher-education needs to be the top priority.
"That's the easiest and most obvious way that our work force is going to get better jobs and make better wages."
The current unemployment rate in Arkansas is 7.3%, while locally it is a bit better at 5.7%.
"There are a lot of people working very hard to make sure that the prosperity in Arkansas looks like the prosperity in the rest of the country."
And with the current influx of jobs in Northwest Arkansas, Deck said supporting our local economy will have a positive impact on our state.
"We just hope that the decisions we make now put us in a good position for the future."
Recent data ranked the Natural State in the bottom three for median household incomes, along with Mississippi and West Virginia.
But one local economist said folks in Northwest Arkansas can help improve the entire state.
"For Northwest Arkansas to prosper, really, it's in our best interest for the whole state to do well economically."
When it comes to making money, people in Arkansas ranked almost dead last. According to the United States Census Bureau, the state is in the bottom three for median incomes.
But University of Arkansas Economist Kathy Deck said folks in Northwest Arkansas are fortunate.
"Northwest Arkansas is wealthier than much of the rest of the state."
The median household income for the state is $38,307 based on 2010 census data. In the Northwest corner alone, that number jumps to $43,080.
"It's important for those of us here in Northwest Arkansas to care if the rest of Arkansas is not doing well... We as a state really do rise and fall together."
To put the state on the right path, Deck said higher-education needs to be the top priority.
"That's the easiest and most obvious way that our work force is going to get better jobs and make better wages."
The current unemployment rate in Arkansas is 7.3%, while locally it is a bit better at 5.7%.
"There are a lot of people working very hard to make sure that the prosperity in Arkansas looks like the prosperity in the rest of the country."
And with the current influx of jobs in Northwest Arkansas, Deck said supporting our local economy will have a positive impact on our state.
"We just hope that the decisions we make now put us in a good position for the future."
