Conway’s economic fundamentals remain solid, anchored by strong labor dynamics and a buoyant hospitality sector. With an unemployment rate of 4.1% — outperforming both state and national averages — and a local civilian labor force nearing 40,000, our community continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Hospitality and commerce are clear bright spots in our year-to-date July numbers: hotel sales have surged nearly 15% to $12.4 million, while restaurant sales grew more than 3.5% to exceed $160 million, signaling vibrant visitor engagement and sustained local consumer confidence.
At the same time, we are observing a deliberate shift toward normalization in residential real estate and construction. Total year-to-date sales in Conway held steady at $1.128 billion (down 0.12%), while single-family home permits dipped roughly 21% as higher interest rates encourage a more cautious approach to new housing developments. However, broader Faulkner County economic activity continues to expand, reflected in a 2.3% increase in total sales ($1.52 billion) and an 11.8% rise in overall county home sales volume ($404 million). As community bankers, we view these mixed signals as a healthy rebalancing, and we remain fully committed to partnering with local business owners and families to invest in Conway’s long-term growth.
-Patrick Lewis, Community Bank President at Arvest Bank
Labor Force, June 2026
| U.S. | 170,198,000 |
| Arkansas | 1,481,562 |
| Faulkner County | 69,959* |
| Conway | 39,342* |
Unemployment Rate, June 2026
| U.S. | 4.2% |
| Arkansas | 4.1% |
| Faulkner County | 4.1%* |
| Conway | 4.0%* |
Total Sales in Conway, July 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $1.128 billion (-0.12%) |
| 2025 | $1.129 billion |
Total Sales in Faulkner County, July 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $1.516 billion (+2.23%) |
| 2025 | $1.482 billion |
Total Use in Conway, July 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $187.69 million (-4.67%) |
| 2025 | $196.88 million |
Total Use in Faulkner County, July 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $319.52 million (+2.40%) |
| 2025 | $312.01 million |
Restaurant Sales in Conway, July 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $160.73 million (+3.57%) |
| 2025 | $155.19 million |
Hotel Receipts in Conway, July 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $12.39 million (+14.97%) |
| 2025 | $10.78 million |
Economy at a Glance Presenting Sponsor:
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