The rural poverty rate rose 0.6 percent in 1990 to 16.3 percent, compared to 12.7 percent for urban areas. All nonmetro population groups had higher poverty rates than metro counterparts. About 43 percent of nonmetro families headed by women were poor. The Family Support Act may help such families. (SV)

Current Population Survey data indicate that rural workers were more likely than urban workers to be poor or near-poor. Poor and near-poor rural workers were more likely than other workers to be southern, young, and in a minority group. Barriers to livable-wage employment included low educational attainment, being a single mother, and having young…

Although rural poverty began to decline, 1994-95, many rural households had incomes just above poverty. Rural minorities were especially disadvantaged; racial differences in educational attainment accounted for 20-33% of income gaps. One-quarter of rural children lived in poverty, most in single-parent households. Most rural poor families lived in…