THE STATE OF RURAL AMERICA

USDA Economic Research Service

Robert GibbsJohn Cromartie

Tom HertzDavid McGranahan

Office of Rural Housing and Economic DevelopmentRural Gateway Peer-to-Peer Conference Call

September 30, 2015

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Nonmetro (rural)

Metro (urban)

Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, 2013

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, based on U.S. Office of Management and Budget 2013 delineation of metropolitan areas

Urbanized area

Rural population trendsJohn Cromartie

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Nonmetro areas experience first period of overall population loss during 2010-14

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Nonmetro natural increase not sufficient to offset current net out-migration

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Suburban expansion and amenity migration drove nonmetro population growth prior to the recession (2003-2007)

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Geographic shifts in population growth occurred after the recession (2010-2014)

Rural employment trendsTom Hertz

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Metro and Nonmetro Quarterly Employment Indices, 2007-2015(1st Quarter) (Seasonally Adjusted)

Source: USDA-ERS analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data.Note: Shaded area indicates recession period.

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Metro and Nonmetro Quarterly Employment/Population Ratios, 2007-2015 (1st Quarter) (Seasonally Adjusted)

Source: USDA-ERS analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data.Note: Shaded area indicates recession period.

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Nonmetro Counties With Employment Growth or Losses BetweenFirst Half of 2014 and First Half of 2015

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Metro and Nonmetro Quarterly Unemployment Rates, 2007-2015(1st Quarter) (Seasonally Adjusted)

Source: USDA-ERS analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data.Note: Shaded area indicates recession period.