One of the nation's poorest cities, Pine Bluff's population has been declining fast.

Severe economic and social problems have plagued the area. Close to a third of the metro area's population lives below the poverty level and it ranks second only to the Detroit for crime.

Related: 'Oil boom brought us money -- and pain'

Manufacturers have outsourced many of the area's jobs abroad, according to Moody's Analytics and the unemployment rate remained in double-digit territory at 10.5% in January.