Economic mobility in rural America varies significantly by geographic location. The percentage change in household income for children born to middle income parents in 1978 and 1992 shows substantial variation across North American counties, according to Senior Partner Shelley Stewart III and coauthors. Local economic conditions, labor market dynamics, access to quality education, cost-of-living variations, government programs, demographic shifts, and technological advancements are drivers of these differences.
Image description:
A choropleth map displays the change in household income between 1978 and 1992 for children of middle-income parents in rural US counties. The map uses a color scale ranging from –38.6% to +34.4%, representing the percentage change in income. Shades of blue indicate positive changes, while shades of gray and black represent negative changes. A lighter gray represents values between –0.1% and +0.1%, denoted as N/A on the legend. The map shows significant variation across the country, with some counties experiencing substantial income increases while others show significant decreases. Specific numerical values are not readily available for each county from the image, but the color-coding indicates the range of percentage changes. Note that data for urban counties are not shown.
Note: This image description was completed with the assistance of Writer, a gen AI tool.
Source: Opportunity Atlas.
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To read the article, see “Who is Rural America?,” March 20, 2025.