Examines changes in 298 persistently low income counties during the 1970s. Reveals improvement came through nonfarm industries (especially service and manufacturing) and mining. Indicates transfer payments, particularly from retirement programs, were large source of income growth, providing almost 33% of still-poor counties' income growth from…

Overall poverty rate increased from 12.1% in 1969 to 15.2% in 1983. Nonmetropolitan rates were 17% in both years. While poverty among elderly decreased, especially in nonmetropolitan areas, poverty among children rose. In 1981, 60% of metropolitan and 39% of nonmetropolitan children in poverty were in families headed by women. (NEC)

Unemployment rates vary considerably across nonmetro counties, where adjusted average annual unemployment rate was 12.2% in 1984 compared with 10.4% in metro areas. Differences in unemployment rates among nonmetro areas can be explained in part according to their dependence on agriculture, mining, manufacturing, or other single sources of income.…

Analyzes the distribution of 1985 federal expenditures among U.S. counties by expenditure function and object and by county type (metro/nonmetro and nonmetro economic base). Concludes that federal spending in nonmetro areas focuses on income redistribution and does not promote economic development. (SV)

A survey of 152 public officials in three rural southwestern Ohio counties showed that when compared to officials who belonged to no professional associations, local officials who belonged to professional organizations were more likely to recognize when local problems required outside help and more likely to know where to get that help. (JHZ)