Rural America

Rural development researchers and practitioners have argued in recent years that investing in a broad range of assets is a critical component of long-term economic growth in rural communities. Wealth can contribute to people's welfare in many ways beyond increasing income, such as providing economic resilience in adverse circumstances or enhancing one's power and prestige. Understanding the distribution of wealth across and within rural communities is critical. Additionally, population loss is a longstanding concern among rural development practitioners. Nearly half of today's non-metropolitan counties lost population through net out-migration over the past 20 years. Population loss tends to increase tax burdens, reduce property values, and reduce both the demand for and supply of local goods and services. Rural out-migration is also troublesome because it is highly concentrated among young adults, especially those possessing or acquiring education and skills. This book examines rural America, with a focus on rural wealth, out-migration, population and transportation issues.