Rural Poverty
...Rurality, 2003). Rural areas in the United States compromise over 2,000 counties, contain 75 percent of the nation's land, and include 49 million people7.5 million of which are living in poverty (Enhanced Quality of Life for Rural Americans, 2005).
Persistently poor communities are often compromised of a disproportionate number of economically at-risk people, including racial/ethnic minorities, female-headed households, and high school dropouts. The characteristics of rural communities and the people living in these areas present many challenges. Compared with urban areas, many rural communities have higher poverty rates, greater unemployment, lower education levels and lower incomes. Low population densities in rural areas equate to people being forced to travel further to jobs creating an increased need for reliable transportation, less accessibility to key social and educational services, and fewer options for affordable childcare services and greater difficulty arranging care (Whitener, Weber, Duncan, 2001).
Rural communities have always experienced growth and decline as changes occur within our economy. However, with the nation's emphasis being placed on industrial markets as well as a lack of use for natural resources produced in the rural communitya large part of the rural population has been left living in poverty. The future of America's rural communities and people depend on the availability of good jobs, access to critical services, such as education, health care, adequate food and development of strong communities.
History of Rural Poverty
The issue of poverty has persisted throughout the history of the United States since its inception. Many Americans living in poverty have been unable to adequately provide food, shelter and clothing for themselves and their families. Dating back to colonial times, poverty was widespread due to...
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