Overview

Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is a diverse city with a population of approximately 42,000 people. Pine Bluff is 45 miles from Little Rock with easy access to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. The city has experienced significant social and economic changes over the years. Historically, Pine Bluff was known for its thriving agriculture and timber industries. However, as these industries declined, the city’s economy suffered. Today, Pine Bluff is facing significant social and economic challenges, including high levels of poverty, crime, and unemployment.

The social impact of these challenges is significant. Pine Bluff has one of the highest poverty rates in the state of Arkansas, with over a third of the population living below the poverty line. This has led to a range of social problems, further exacerbating economic inequality. However, the city is very focused to support adequate education and job training opportunities for its residents. 

Despite all challenges, Pine Bluff has shown great signs of progress in recent years. The city has received significant investment from the public and private sectors, including the construction of a new hospital, the revitalization of downtown, and the creation of new job training programs. These efforts have helped to create new economic opportunities for residents and improve their quality of life. However, there is still much work to be done to address the social and economic challenges facing Pine Bluff and ensure that all residents have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Overall, Pine Bluff’s social and economic challenges are complex and interconnected. Addressing them will require a comprehensive approach that includes investment in education, job training, healthcare, and community development. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to create a brighter future for Pine Bluff and its residents.

The PeopleShores Center in Pine Bluff is in a standalone building adjacent to the campus of Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK). We are fortunate to have a mutually beneficial relationship for business and education synergies and other wraparound support services such as childcare, training, and continuing education. Currently, industries supported by the center includes Healthcare, Financial Services, Insurance and Education. The services provided are Technical Help Desk, Claims Processing, Customer Call Center Support, IT systems support and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) BOT Development. 

Demographics

According to the United States Census Bureau’s 2020 Census report, the demographics of Pine Bluff, Arkansas are as follows:

• Total population: 42,000
• Gender: 47.3% male, 52.7% female
• Race and ethnicity: 72.9% Black or African American, 22.1% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 2.9% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race make up 1.5% of the population.
• Age: The median age in Pine Bluff is 38.8 years.
• Household income: The median household income in Pine Bluff is $32,458.
• Poverty rate: The poverty rate in Pine Bluff is 39.5%.