Uses public opinion polls to show that rural Americans, like the rest of the country, prefer less government in general but do not support cuts in specific programs. Finds rural Americans less supportive of government spending, particularly mass transportation, welfare, and public health; more supportive of sales taxes; more changeable. (LFL)

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.…

Finds that, among 1104 Wisconsin households surveyed in 1981-82, nonmetro households reported lower income needs and lower expenditures than metro households. Suggests that the differences are related to lower nonmetro incomes and higher numbers of nonmetro residents with paid-up mortgages. (SV)

During 1950-87, deaths outnumbered births in 1 or more years in 993 U.S. counties; 95 percent were nonmetro counties, mostly in Florida, central United States, and Appalachia. Because of such natural decrease of population combined with increased outmigration of young adults, these counties may undergo financial stress and have difficulty…

After decade of growth, rural income, population, and overall economic activity have stalled and again lag behind urban trends. Causes include banking and transportation deregulation, international competition, agricultural finance problems. Only nonmetropolitan counties dependent on retirement, government, and trade show continuing income growth…

Analyzes the distribution of 1985 federal expenditures among U.S. counties by expenditure function and object and by county type (metro/nonmetro and nonmetro economic base). Concludes that federal spending in nonmetro areas focuses on income redistribution and does not promote economic development. (SV)

Long-term poverty rates among nonmetro Blacks have fallen dramatically since the early 1970s. Associated with that improvement are higher levels of education among young adults and smaller family size. Despite improvements, poverty levels are still much higher for Blacks than for Whites in both metro and nonmetro areas. (Author/KS)

Defines substandard housing and summarizes newly derived data from the 1980 Census showing that 7.5% of all rural occupied housing in the Nation was substandard. Points out regional and rural-urban differences. Notes effects on rural housing of poverty rates, percentage of nonwhite households, average household size, growth in county population,…

Examines the advantages and disadvantages of diversification as a strategy for economic development. In particular, rural economies that specialize in government and education tend to perform well. Includes map of U.S. labor market areas (LMAs), graphs and table comparing rural and urban LMAs' income and employment rates. (TES)

Diversification of rural economies and changes in financial markets and world trade have broken down many barriers that insulated rural areas in the past. United States rural areas--the rural South and Northeast in particular--now appear to be affected slightly more than urban areas by national monetary and fiscal policies. (JHZ)

Reports results of a 1982 survey of suburban and rural local governments in Maryland, which showed that cable television in rural areas is generally inferior to that in the suburbs, providing less revenue for local governments and poorer services. Advises local officials how to improve their current cable arrangements. (JHZ)

According to the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey, rural workers score somewhat lower than urban workers in ability to use written and quantitative materials. However, scores of rural and urban young adults are similar, reflecting recent improvements in rural education. Rural workers earn less than urban workers with similar literacy skills;…

States where a large proportion of the poor are rural residents or racial/ethnic minorities provided less welfare support per poor child under Aid to Families with Dependent Children than did other states. No corresponding rural or racial/ethnic disadvantage was observed for the Food Stamp program, which has nationwide eligibility criteria and…

Income has become somewhat more concentrated among upper-income families since 1967 and growth of total income has slowed since 1973. Both trends suggest a widening income gap between metro and nonmetro areas because nonmetro areas have a higher proportion of low-income families and slower income growth. (JHZ)

In spite of government transfer programs, 10 percent of the United States population remained in poverty after all transfers were made in 1983. In nonmetro areas the poverty rate was 12.8 percent. Many were working poor (taxes reduced their earnings) who will benefit from recent tax reform that lessens their tax burden. (JHZ)