LITTLE ROCK—Arkansas’ unemployment rate fell from 5.6 percent in January to 5 percent in February, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services said Friday.

The jobless rate for the U.S. fell one-tenth of a percentage point in February to 4.8 percent. The state’s civilian labor force declined by 12,900 people for the month. There were 4,600 fewer employed and 8,300 fewer unemployed Arkansans.

From January to February, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs grew by 8,300 to total 1,198,600. Eight major industry sectors showed growth in February. Government added the most jobs at 3,900 with the return of non-teaching personnel to public schools and universities.

The opening of the live racing season at Oaklawn Park race track in Hot Springs helped fuel a growth of 1,800 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector.