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Why Some Rural Places Prosper and Others Do Not

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew M. Isserman

    (Departments of Agricultural and Consumer, Economics and Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, isserman@illinois.edu)

  • Edward Feser

    (Departments of Urban and Regional Planning and Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, feser@illinois.edu)

  • Drake E. Warren

    (Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, dewarre@sandia.gov)

Abstract

More than 300 rural counties are more prosperous than the nation. Each has lower unemployment rates, lower poverty rates, lower school dropout rates, and better housing conditions than the nation. Prosperous counties tend to have more educated populations, more diverse economies, more private non-farm jobs, more farmers and government farm payments, more creative class occupations, and more equal income distributions. They have fewer African-American, American Indian, or Hispanic residents and fewer recent immigrants. Some findings support what many rural people believe to be true: civically engaged religious groups and other identities that bind people together can really matter. Other results contradict conventional wisdom. For instance, climate and distances to cities and major airports, are relatively unimportant. Focusing on prosperity, instead of growth or competitiveness, provides new insights into rural conditions and prospects.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew M. Isserman & Edward Feser & Drake E. Warren, 2009. "Why Some Rural Places Prosper and Others Do Not," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 32(3), pages 300-342, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:32:y:2009:i:3:p:300-342
    DOI: 10.1177/0160017609336090
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