Examines changes in 298 persistently low income counties during the 1970s. Reveals improvement came through nonfarm industries (especially service and manufacturing) and mining. Indicates transfer payments, particularly from retirement programs, were large source of income growth, providing almost 33% of still-poor counties' income growth from…

Annual nonmetro population growth was lower in 1980-88 than in 1970s, but agricultural and manufacturing counties showed some recovery in 1986-88. Retirement counties grew at twice national rate during 1980s, underscoring diversity in nonmetro population trends across regions. Rural outmigration pattern was diverse with a net national balance to…

The percentage of rural workers using computers on the job doubled to 36% during 1984-93, but remained below the urban rate (48.7%). Most of the rural-urban difference in on-the-job computer use reflects the higher educational level of the urban workforce and its larger share of professional, managerial, and white-collar workers. (Author/SV)

The shift in employment from manufacturing to services in 1981-86 slowed the increase in average annual pay of U.S. nonagricultural workers, with greater impact in nonmetro than metro areas. However, the distribution of employment in high, middle, and low paying jobs changed little. (Author/SV)

Questions "supply-push" theory of rural development, which suggests that upgrading workers' skills will guarantee rural development. Data from past two decades show tendency of decreasing growth in job skills and in requirement for quantifiable job skills (e.g., level of education). Upgrading job skills by itself seems unlikely to pay…

Overall poverty rate increased from 12.1% in 1969 to 15.2% in 1983. Nonmetropolitan rates were 17% in both years. While poverty among elderly decreased, especially in nonmetropolitan areas, poverty among children rose. In 1981, 60% of metropolitan and 39% of nonmetropolitan children in poverty were in families headed by women. (NEC)

In 1981-86, approximately 10 million workers were displaced from full-time jobs, with displacement proportionately higher among nonmetro workers, high school dropouts, and production workers. Nonmetro displaced workers were more likely than metro workers to experience long unemployment, relocate, or change occupations and earn less at new jobs.…

Argues that state government must take a strong lead in promoting rural development. Justification for such a role includes improving the efficiency of the state's economy; making full use of fixed investments; improving rural-urban equity; preserving a rural lifestyle; and responding effectively to population density differences between rural and…

Examines reversal of two longstanding unemployment patterns in 1980-82 recession: nonmetropolitan unemployment rate exceeded metropolitan rate and men's unemployment rate exceeded women's. Attributes reversals to recent changes in labor force: shift to service economy, expansion of women's role in workplace, and changes in women's working…

Uses federal survey data to examine U.S. population with inadequate income for less than one year. Reports long-term and persistent poor are more likely to be aged, Black, and disabled. Welfare programs may not target groups comprising the short-term poor, leading to inadequate services. (DHP)

Uses national survey data to demonstrate that, compared to the rural or U.S. non-poor, the rural poor consumed less of eight of nine key nutrients; and disparities were greatest for vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium, and for the youngest (two-five years) age group studied. (SV)

Examines the feasibility of "workfare," a key feature of welfare reform. Uses Current Population Survey (1986) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (1988) to estimate the ratio of potential workfare workers to available jobs. Concludes that, at best, this ratio is 6.2:1 in nonmetro areas and 11.0:1 in metro areas. (SV)

Economies in rural areas during the 1980s were characterized by (1) fewer jobs in resource-based industries; (2) job shifts from manufacturing to services; (3) an increasing concentration of low-wage, low-skill jobs in rural areas; and (4) a growing earnings gap and outmigration of the best educated rural workers. (KS)

In 1982, nonmetro counties had higher per pupil expenditures than metro counties in 41 states. However, nonmetro counties varied widely, with lower spending in poorer areas. Educational expenditures were influenced by per capita income and enrollment in metro and nonmetro counties. Several approaches to evaluating educational equity are discussed.…

Relative to metro growth, nonmetropolitan employment growth was 0.7-1.0 percent lower in the 1970s and 1980s than expected based on eight labor force and labor market variables. Discrepancies between actual and expected growth increased in more rural counties, suggesting the importance of the spatial dimension of rurality. (SV)