The rural poverty rate rose 0.6 percent in 1990 to 16.3 percent, compared to 12.7 percent for urban areas. All nonmetro population groups had higher poverty rates than metro counterparts. About 43 percent of nonmetro families headed by women were poor. The Family Support Act may help such families. (SV)

Current Population Survey data indicate that nonmetropolitan personal income increased in real terms during 1990-96, whereas metropolitan income did not. Among long-term influences, steadily rising educational attainment has fostered convergence between nonmetro and metro income. Table and figure detail nonmetro and metro incomes, 1990-96, for…

Current Population Survey data indicate that the rural poverty rate declined to 16.4% in 1994, after increasing during the early 1990s. Poverty is still most prevalent in the South, and rural minorities, women, and children are especially disadvantaged economically. Among racial/ethnic groups, Hispanics have the highest nonmetro poverty rate and…

Describes classifications of county type by level of urbanization, basic industries, low-income status, and retirement population. Classification by level of urbanization reflects the economic and social opportunities available to county residents. Maps show the location of various types of counties for 1979 or 1980. (KS)

Current Population Survey data indicate an overall decline in the rural-urban pay gap during the early 1990s (due to declining urban wages, not rising rural wages). In 1993, the earnings of 30 percent of rural full-time workers were below the poverty level. Compares low-income workers by gender, age group, education, and race/ethnicity. (LP)

Current Population Survey data indicate that value-added industries, which tend to use raw lumber and agricultural products as inputs, employed one-third of all rural manufacturing workers in 1996. Compared to other rural manufacturing workers, value-added workers generally had lower occupational status, less education, and lower incomes, and were…

In 1996, rural children had higher poverty and just-over poverty rates than urban children. Compared to rural white children, rural minority children had less-educated parents and were more likely to live in poverty, in families with a single parent or without an earner, and in families dependent on social-welfare programs. (Author/SV)

The prevalence of hunger in rural households declined slightly from 1995 to 1998, and food insecurity rates stayed constant. Food insecurity was almost three times as prevalent among rural Blacks as among rural Whites. For rural Hispanics, the rate was about twice that of Whites. Food insecurity was higher in single-parent families than in any…

Nonmetro areas have disproportionately more workers in industries and occupations with projected slow or negative growth by 2006. However, a large share of nonmetro workers are in sectors and occupational groups that are expected to grow at least moderately. Nonmetro areas have fewer workers in occupations projected to grow the fastest: those…

Current Population Survey data indicate that nonmetropolitan earnings rose slightly during 1990-96, metropolitan income declined, and nonmetro income inequality lessened. Nonmetro gains were notable in the South and Midwest and for women, Blacks, and Hispanics. Earnings declined sharply for urban, but not rural, high school dropouts. The urban…

Current Population Survey data indicate that 7.2% of nonmetropolitan workers and 6.2% of metropolitan workers held two or more jobs concurrently in 1996. Multiple jobholding rates were highest in the lowest and highest earnings quintiles and for whites, college graduates, and ages 45-54. Teachers accounted for the largest number of nonmetro…

Nonmetro educational attainment increased substantially between 1970 and 1990; however, nonmetro areas continued to lag metro in both high school and college completion rates. The metro-nonmetro gap in high school completion rates narrowed, whereas the gap in four-year college degree completion rates widened. Compares completion rates by region,…

Poverty rates for nonmetro families with children increased during the 1980s. Of these families, those headed by women had the highest poverty rate at 50.7% and were the household type whose rate increased most in nonmetro areas during the 1980s. Discusses differences in poverty rates and child poverty rates by county type and region. (KS)

This U.S. Department of Agriculture periodical gives current statistical information on rural America. This issue contains articles about the impact on rural areas of economic trends, employment, and industry changes. A general overview indicates that moderate improvements in rural employment since 1986 have been tempered by slow income growth.…

The proportion of births to unmarried women, which has historically been lower in rural than urban areas, has been rising at a faster rate in rural areas since 1980 and by 1994, was higher for rural blacks than urban blacks. In 1994, unmarried teenagers accounted for 11.3% of rural births and 9.6% of urban births. (SV)