At a Glance: Arkansas Arkansas is the 33rd most populous state in the U.S., with 3,088,354 residents across its 52,035.5 square miles according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 41 for business in 2025 by CNBC. Arkansas is home to key economic industries, including agriculture, aerospace and forestry. Energy Arkansas ranks 22nd for energy production, with nuclear and renewable energy the main products, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state ranks 15th for energy consumption, with natural gas, ethanol and coal the main sources. Arkansas's residential electricity rate is $0.132/kWh, below the national average of $0.175/kWh. Commercial users pay $0.105/kWh, below the national average of $0.142/kWh. Industrial users pay $0.072/kWh, slightly above the national average industrial rate of $0.093/kWh. Residential natural gas prices average $33.64 per thousand cubic feet, higher than the national average of $25.27. Environment Annual carbon emissions have increased 74.4% since 1970, as the state’s population tripled, going from 1.7 million to 3 million. Arkansas's population is projected to decrease by 3%, dropping to 2.9 million residents by 2050. Per-capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy consumption decreased 9% in the state between 2005 and 2023. About 12 percent of Arkansas's land is under permanent protection through federal, state and tribal agencies. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists 36 species in Arkansas as threatened or endangered. SUGGESTED STORIES At a glance: Alaska Alaska is the 48th most populous state in the U.S., with 740,133 residents across its 586,000 square miles according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 50 for business in 2025 by CNBC. Alaska is home to key economic industries, including oil, natural gas, fishing, agriculture a Read more At a glance: Maine Maine is the 42nd most populous state in the U.S., with 1,395,722 residents across its 30,845 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 42 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Main is known for its lobster industry, logging, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Energ Read more At a glance: Vermont Vermont is the 49th most populous state in the U.S., with 647,464 residents across its 9,217 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 37 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Vermont’s key industries include agriculture, specialty foods, tourism, manufacturing, and te Read more
At a glance: Alaska Alaska is the 48th most populous state in the U.S., with 740,133 residents across its 586,000 square miles according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 50 for business in 2025 by CNBC. Alaska is home to key economic industries, including oil, natural gas, fishing, agriculture a Read more
At a glance: Maine Maine is the 42nd most populous state in the U.S., with 1,395,722 residents across its 30,845 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 42 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Main is known for its lobster industry, logging, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Energ Read more
At a glance: Vermont Vermont is the 49th most populous state in the U.S., with 647,464 residents across its 9,217 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 37 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Vermont’s key industries include agriculture, specialty foods, tourism, manufacturing, and te Read more
