A farmer surveys a rice crop in Arkansas.Â
Bill Barksdale | Getty Images
| Category | Score | 2018 Rank | 2017 Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce | 186 | 43 | 37 | C- |
| Infrastructure | 231 | 12 | 12 (Tie) | B |
| Cost of Doing Business | 257 | 1 | 7 (Tie) | A+ |
| Economy | 127 | 39 | 32 | D+ |
| Quality of Life | 81 | 50 | 47 | F |
| Technology & Innovation | 57 | 47 | 48 | F |
| Education | 66 | 42 | 38 | D- |
| Business Friendliness | 53 | 40 | 39 | D+ |
| Access to Capital | 29 | 36 | 32 (Tie) | D |
| Cost of Living | 49 | 2 | 4 | A+ |
| [[link#105237323#Overall]] | 1136 | 40 | [[link#104395294#41]] | - |
Economic Profile
Governor: Asa Hutchinson, Republican
Population: 3,004,279
GDP growth (Q4 2017): 2.5 percent
Unemployment rate (May 2018): 3.8 percent
Top corporate tax rate: 6.5 percent
Top individual income tax rate: 6.9 percent
Gasoline tax: 21.50 cents/gallon
Bond rating: (Moody's/S&P): Aa1, stable/AA, stable
Major private employers: Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart Stores
Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence
