This paper aims to better delineate the patterns of mobility and turnover of rural principals in Texas. Specifically, the authors examine the patterns of movement into, within, and out of rural principal positions, as a means to gain a better understanding of the forces of 'draw' within rural areas and 'drain' out. The study consisted of a sample of 22,385 principals in Texas from 1995 to 2015, representing the population or rural principals in the state. Using methods including OLS and logistic regression as well as discrete time hazard modeling, the study aims to capture the general trends of rural principal mobility to better inform policy interventions. Results demonstrate that: (1) Rural districts tend to hire candidates from rural backgrounds; (2) Rural principals are much less likely to transfer out of the rural context, but tend to switch positions at similar rates as nonrural principals; and (3) Rural principals turnover at similar rates as nonrural principals. The paper includes a discussion and policy recommendations for facilitating healthy rural principal recruitment and retention.