22. Texarkana, Tex.

Q1 2010 annualized job growth: 0.8%
Q3 2009 annualized job growth: 1%

First quarter of recovery: Q1 2010
Unemployment rate: 6.9%
Median household income: $40,248

The metro, which includes the twin cities of Texarkana, Tex., and Texarkana, Ark., benefits greatly from its proximity to the Red River Army Depot less than 20 miles away. The area is also home to a Cooper Tire plant, which employees about 1,400 people and plans to add a few hundred jobs early next year.

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