In 1987, 10 percent of rural families headed by a worker had incomes below poverty level. Worker poverty was related to working part of the year or part time; having children; or being under 25-years old, Black, Hispanic, a high school dropout, or a single female head of household. (SV)

Highlights recent research findings on the status of rural southern workers and their readiness for the future. Presents information on poverty, undereducation, underemployment, and racial inequality in rural southern areas. Examines two avenues of action: helping workers get the education and skills they need and helping workers find suitable…

The persistent poor make up only about a third of all the poor, and the rest are temporarily poor because of sudden changes in their lives--loss of job, marital breakup, or illness. The two groups of rural poor have different needs and will be helped by different types of programs. (JHZ)

March 1992 Current Population Survey data were used to identify persons in central city, suburban, and rural areas with multiple disadvantages: high school dropouts, welfare recipients, never-married mothers, underemployed men, and poor people. About 26% of adults with multiple disadvantages lived in rural areas. Of those, 69% were white and 65%…