THE STATE OF RURAL AMERICA
USDA Economic Research Service
Robert GibbsJohn Cromartie
Tom HertzDavid McGranahan
Office of Rural Housing and Economic DevelopmentRural Gateway Peer-to-Peer Conference Call
September 30, 2015
2
Nonmetro (rural)
Metro (urban)
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, 2013
Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, based on U.S. Office of Management and Budget 2013 delineation of metropolitan areas
Urbanized area
Rural population trendsJohn Cromartie
4
Nonmetro areas experience first period of overall population loss during 2010-14
5
Nonmetro natural increase not sufficient to offset current net out-migration
6
Suburban expansion and amenity migration drove nonmetro population growth prior to the recession (2003-2007)
7
Geographic shifts in population growth occurred after the recession (2010-2014)
Rural employment trendsTom Hertz
9
Metro and Nonmetro Quarterly Employment Indices, 2007-2015(1st Quarter) (Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: USDA-ERS analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data.Note: Shaded area indicates recession period.
10
Metro and Nonmetro Quarterly Employment/Population Ratios, 2007-2015 (1st Quarter) (Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: USDA-ERS analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data.Note: Shaded area indicates recession period.
11
Nonmetro Counties With Employment Growth or Losses BetweenFirst Half of 2014 and First Half of 2015
12
Metro and Nonmetro Quarterly Unemployment Rates, 2007-2015(1st Quarter) (Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: USDA-ERS analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data.Note: Shaded area indicates recession period.