Reviews employment growth in rural and small town communities, focusing on two periods, 1940-70 and 1970-80. For the rest of the 1980s, predicts a slower growth in nonmetro areas--that is, slower than in metro areas and slower than in the 1970s--yet not as slow as in the 1960s. (JHZ)

Examines increasing rural to urban migration as caused by farming crises, employment cutbacks, slow rural population growth in 1980s, and slow rural recovery from recession. The migration was especially heavy during 1983-1986. Cites indicators showing possible future reversal. Includes charts, graphs, and maps. (Author/TES)

Nine county-level urban-influence categories were developed to enhance research on geographic differences in economic opportunities. Categories differ along many social and economic dimensions: population growth, educational attainment, employment growth, earnings, presence of institutions of higher learning, and hospital and physician supply.…

Whatever migration patterns evolve, changes in the age structure mean that rural communities in general can expect fairly stable elementary school population, reduced high school population, slower growth in new business and employment, and continued increase in the elderly population. (JHZ)

Population distribution and community size make rural areas better suited to production than managerial jobs. Production jobs, however, are threatened by business cycles, foreign competition and technological displacement, more so than by education levels of rural workers. Links outmigration in rural areas to low wages. (Author/TES)