Skip to content

McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility: Who is Rural America?

Who is Rural America?

https://www.mckinsey.com/institute-for-economic-mobility/our-insights/who-is-rural-america

Rural America, revisited

•

“More than farms. Rural America is essential to the nation’s identity and, according to a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, offers a greater share of energy, food, and recreation opportunities than some Americans might think. Yet multiple surveys suggest that residents of rural communities often feel left out of key policy decisions that affect them. To ensure that rural areas can thrive, lawmakers should consider clearly defining the term “rural” so that all rural communities may benefit from national programs, as well as understanding these areas’ geographic, economic, and racial diversity. [Brookings Institution]

•

Small towns, better mobility. Lower-income kids living in large US cities have a harder time moving up the economic ladder than kids from smaller towns, a new study shows. As Bloomberg reports, the researchers found that as cities grew, resources shifted to the wealthy—which widened the income gap—while smaller counties were able to make public benefits more accessible to underprivileged kids. With limited options for schools and socializing in smaller towns, these communities can be more economically diverse and more likely to see their kids meeting peers from varied backgrounds. [Bloomberg]

In 2023, an estimated 46.3 million Americans resided in rural counties.

On McKinsey.com

•

Economic growth engine. That rural America is facing an inevitable decline is more myth than reality. In fact, the areas outside of urban centers are growing, and rural American communities are important contributors to the broader US economy, McKinsey Senior Partner Shelley Stewart III and coauthors explain. McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility analysis found that from 2010 to 2022, the GDP in rural counties increased 15% and median household income rose 43% to reach nearly $60,000 a year—a historic record.

•

(Re)defining rural America. A clearer understanding of rural America, and who lives there, could create more opportunities for its residents and bring greater benefits to the country as a whole. The authors’ analysis reveals that rural America is America: Rural communities are a part of every US state and territory, and these communities make up approximately 71% of the country’s land. In addition, rural neighborhoods are becoming more diverse, with growing populations of Hispanic and other racial groups. See a snapshot of rural America in eight exhibits.”

Get to know rural America

Pro plugin deactivated or invalid

Posted on: May 4, 2025, 6:22 am Category: Uncategorized

By: Stephen Abram

Comments Off on McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility: Who is Rural America?

0 Responses

Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.