The labor force is the number of people aged 16 or older who are either working or looking for work. It does not include active-duty military personnel or institutionalized people, such as prison inmates. Quantifying this total supply of labor is a way of determining how big the economy can get. Labor force participation rates vary significantly…

Economic growth and federal assistance programs lowered the overall nonmetro poverty rates during the years 1959-80, but uneven distribution of benefits resulted in high poverty rates among rural counties containing populations with distinctive demographic, socioeconomic, and employment characteristics. The 100 rural counties with the highest…

The manufacturing industry's areal and structural growth trends were analyzed for insights into their possible future role in Appalachia's economy. Between 1950 and 1960, total manufacturing employment expanded in large-, medium-, and small-center population areas, in rates inverse to center size. However, absolute gains in employment were…

The results of an effort to develop a body of internally consistent economic data which facilitate comparison of the population, housing, employment, and income characteristics of 56 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas with a population of over 500,000 are reported in this publication. Part of a continuing research program on local government…

This document consists of ten consecutive issues of the serial "Rural Trends and Conditions," extending from Spring 1995 through February 1999. Issues contain information and statistical data on rural economic and social conditions. Beginning with the Fall 1995 issue, issues exhibit repeating themes such as "Financial…

The report briefly outlines the population characteristics, public employment and political representation status of the Chaves, Curry, Eddy, Lea, and Roosevelt counties in southern New Mexico for a 10-year period. The three sections of each profile focus on the county government, largest city in that county, and school district encompassing that…

This report separates Puerto Ricans into four major subgroups: those who were born on the mainland and live either in New York City, or elsewhere in the United States, and those who were born in Puerto Rico and live either in New York City, or elsewhere in the United States. The report places considerable emphasis on those born on the mainland. A…