Data from the 1986 Current Population Survey (March Supplement) indentified characteristics of working heads of poor families that might assist policymakers involved in alleviating nonmetro poverty (in 1985, 18.3% of persons living in nonmetro areas were poor compared to 12.7% of persons living in metro areas). Comparing the South (a 17-state region) and Nonsouth (all others), working heads of poor families were older in the South than Nonsouth. Educational attainment was low, especially in the South. In 1985, while 7% of the nonmetro work force was black, 15.7% of poor working heads were black. Family type differed little by region, but there were marked differences in family composition. Overall, 27.9% of poor families were headed by females. Only 32.4% worked less than 27 weeks. The levels and sources of family income (including public assistance) varied by region, family size, and occupation. For many of the rural working poor, full-time living wage jobs were not available. Ameliorating policy might develop programs that integrate job development, human capital developing, and equal opportunity. Income support--along with increased availability of affordable child care--may be necessary for poor single family heads whose availability for full-year/full-time employment is limited by family responsibilities. (JMM)