Arkansas Vitals under Sarah Huckabee Sanders
While other sites show the latest numbers for the rich people’s casino that is the stock market, Arkansas Vitals tracks the stats that actually impact our lives. Just as importantly, Real Deal Democrats look at trends over a gubernatorial administration, so that the People can hold the governor accountable.
Under Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansans are worse off in seven key quality of life categories.
Unemployment Rate: Worse under Sanders
Unemployed Arkansans before Sanders: 3.0%
Unemployed Arkansans under Sanders: 3.7%
Change: 0.7% rise in unemployment
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Income inequality: Worse under Sanders
Income Inequality in Arkansas before Sanders: 0.4799
Income Inequality in Arkansas under Sanders: 0.4807
Change: 0.17% rise in income inequality
Note: The closer to 0 the more equal is income; the closer to 1 the more unequal is income.
Source: United States Census Bureau
Per Capita Income: WORSE under Sanders
Average Arkansan salary before Sanders: $55,299
Average Arkansan salary under Sanders: $54,815
Change: 0.88% loss or $484 less per year
Note: adjusted for inflation to reflect 2022 dollars
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis
Uneducated Rate: Worse under Sanders
Percent of Arkansans with a college degree before Sanders: 25.3%
Percent of Arkansans with a college degree under Sanders: 25.1%
Change: .2% decrease in percent of Arkansans with a college degree
Source: United States Census Bureau
Obesity Rate: Worse under Sanders
Obese Arkansans before Sanders: 37.4%
Obese Arkansas under Sanders: 40.0%
Change: 2.6% rise in obesity
Source: Trust for America’s Health
Homelessness Rate: Worse under Sanders
Homeless Arkansans before Sanders: 0.8%
Homeless Arkansans under Sanders: 0.9%
Change: 0.1% rise in homelessness
Source: United States Census Bureau
Razorbacks: Worse under Sanders
Before Sanders: 369 wins-133 losses for a .735 winning percentage
Under Sanders: 314 wins-185 losses for a .629 winning percentage
Change: 14% decline in Razorback winning percentage
Source: Razorbacks Baseball, Basketball (men’s and women’s), Football, Soccer, and Softball
Note: This will be updated to include earlier years as new seasons conclude