Identifies problems concerning the youth labor force, and points out that across most age and school status groups rural youth are less likely to be employed than urban youth. Available from: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Rm. 456 GHI Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20250. (JD)

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)

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.…

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…

Using measures sensitive to rural labor market conditions, determined that nearly a third of the rural labor force is underemployed--by being out of a job, working for low pay, or working too few hours. The current system of calculating unemployment rate seriously underestimates the extent of economic hardship in rural areas. (JHZ)

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%…

Presents results of a 1981 survey of 2,554 household heads in low income counties in 10 southern states. Finds lack of job opportunities, not knowing the right people, not having enough training or education, not knowing where to look for jobs, and discrimination to be major problems perceived by respondents. (LFL)