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)

Annual nonmetro population growth was lower in 1980-88 than in 1970s, but agricultural and manufacturing counties showed some recovery in 1986-88. Retirement counties grew at twice national rate during 1980s, underscoring diversity in nonmetro population trends across regions. Rural outmigration pattern was diverse with a net national balance to…

Economies in rural areas during the 1980s were characterized by (1) fewer jobs in resource-based industries; (2) job shifts from manufacturing to services; (3) an increasing concentration of low-wage, low-skill jobs in rural areas; and (4) a growing earnings gap and outmigration of the best educated rural workers. (KS)

During 1950-87, deaths outnumbered births in 1 or more years in 993 U.S. counties; 95 percent were nonmetro counties, mostly in Florida, central United States, and Appalachia. Because of such natural decrease of population combined with increased outmigration of young adults, these counties may undergo financial stress and have difficulty…

Finds that, among 14,233 Native Americans, urban residents earned significantly more in 1980 than rural residents, mainly due to the interaction of higher worker qualifications in a superior job market. Concludes that migration offers little benefit to rural disadvantaged Indians. (SV)

Provides data from the March 1988 Current Population Survey on percentages of nonmetro adults with college degrees and high school diplomas. Outlines rural-urban differences, sex differences, racial differences, and changes from 1974 to 1988. Discusses outmigration of college graduates from rural areas. (SV)

Examines general demographic, social, and economic situation of older rural people and how their conditons do or do not differ from those of older urbanites. Contrasts migration trends, living arrangements, income, housing, transportation, communication, and health. Figures and tables provide population, residency, living arrangement, and poverty…

Rural high school graduates are less likely to graduate from college than their urban counterparts, mostly because they are less likely to attend college. Half of rural college attendees leave home and do not return by age 25. Those that do return are drawn largely by home ties and intervening life choices rather than local job opportunities.…

This special theme issue reports key results from a comprehensive assessment of skill development among the rural workforce and of rural education and job training in rural areas. This comprehensive assessment had three goals: to develop better measures of rural skills than were previously available, to identify human capital initiatives that…