#24 Arkansas
Governor: Mike Beebe (D)
Population: 2,949,131
GDP growth: 1.3 percent
Unemployment rate (May 2013): 7.3 percent
Top corporate rate: 6.5 percent
Top Individual tax rate: 7 percent
Gasoline tax: 21.8 cents/gallon
Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/Stable
Major private employers: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., University of Arkansas Medical Center, O.K. Transportation, Baptist Health Medica lCenter, Weyerhauser Co., Whirlpool Corp., University of Arkansas, McClellan VA Medical Center, St. Vincent Health System, Tyson Nashville Cafeteria, Verizon Wireless
Economic profile sources: American Petroleum Institute (April 2013), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2012), Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2013 release), CareerOneStop, Moody's Investors Service (senior-most tax-backed ratings), National Governors Association, Tax Foundation (2013), U.S. Census Bureau (2012 estimate)