This essay argues that it is in the national interest for the Federal Reserve, as well as for all central banks, to be independent within government.

The Federal Reserve System is a model of an independent central bank, with the authority to resist political pressure and act in the long-term best economic interest of the country. But this has not always been the case. In the past—and not too distant past at that—US monetary policy has frequently yielded to other governmental requirements. Even for the modern Federal Reserve, independence is a nuanced, mutable and, ultimately, fragile concept, but one that is essential to maintain.

Graph and download economic data for Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Independence County, AR (REALGDPALL05063) from 2001 to 2023 about Independence County, AR; AR; real; industry; GDP; and USA.

U.S. Granted Utility Patents Originating in Independence County, AR was 3.00000 Number in January of 2015, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, U.S. Granted Utility Patents Originating in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 3.00000 in January of 2014 and a record low of 0.00000 in January of 2000. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for U.S. Granted Utility Patents Originating in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Personal Income in Independence County, AR was 1813240.00000 Thous. of $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Personal Income in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 1813240.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 56513.00000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Personal Income in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Estimate of People of All Ages in Poverty in Independence County, AR was 5006.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimate of People of All Ages in Poverty in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 7684.00000 in January of 2011 and a record low of 4627.00000 in January of 1989. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimate of People of All Ages in Poverty in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Employed in Independence County, AR was 17552.00000 Persons in August of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Employed in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 17745.00000 in April of 2025 and a record low of 13922.00000 in January of 1990. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Employed in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Number of Private for All Industries in Independence County, AR was 886.00000 Establishments in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Number of Private for All Industries in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 887.00000 in April of 2008 and a record low of 677.00000 in April of 1990. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Number of Private for All Industries in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

Disconnected Youth (5-year estimate) for Independence County, AR was 8.66% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Disconnected Youth (5-year estimate) for Independence County, AR reached a record high of 14.00 in January of 2012 and a record low of 2.51 in January of 2018. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Disconnected Youth (5-year estimate) for Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Per Capita Personal Income in Independence County, AR (PCPI05063) from 1969 to 2023 about Independence County, AR; AR; personal income; per capita; personal; income; and USA.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Independence County, AR was 37002.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Independence County, AR reached a record high of 37002.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 33247.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Independence County, AR was 13.50% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Independence County, AR reached a record high of 21.40 in January of 2011 and a record low of 13.50 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

Per Capita Personal Income in Independence County, AR was 47318.00000 $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Per Capita Personal Income in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 47318.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 2512.00000 in January of 1969. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Per Capita Personal Income in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Poverty Universe, Age 5-17 related for Independence County, AR was 6722.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, Age 5-17 related for Independence County, AR reached a record high of 6722.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 5476.00000 in January of 2008. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, Age 5-17 related for Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Civilian Labor Force in Independence County, AR was 18238.00000 Persons in August of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Civilian Labor Force in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 18362.00000 in July of 1999 and a record low of 15147.00000 in August of 2014. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Civilian Labor Force in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

All-Transactions House Price Index for Independence County, AR was 213.06000 Index 2000=100 in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, All-Transactions House Price Index for Independence County, AR reached a record high of 213.06000 in January of 2024 and a record low of 66.80000 in January of 1987. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for All-Transactions House Price Index for Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

Estimate of People Age 0-17 in Poverty in Independence County, AR was 1633.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimate of People Age 0-17 in Poverty in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 2411.00000 in January of 2011 and a record low of 1487.00000 in January of 1989. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimate of People Age 0-17 in Poverty in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Income Inequality in Independence County, AR was 15.11504 Ratio in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Income Inequality in Independence County, AR reached a record high of 15.11504 in January of 2023 and a record low of 12.07515 in January of 2019. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Income Inequality in Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Independence County, AR was 18.10% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Independence County, AR reached a record high of 29.10 in January of 2009 and a record low of 17.90 in January of 1989. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

Estimate of Median Household Income for Independence County, AR was 59695.00000 $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimate of Median Household Income for Independence County, AR reached a record high of 59695.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 20862.00000 in January of 1989. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimate of Median Household Income for Independence County, AR - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.