The Remains of Rural America

"Abandoned" by Lane Pearman licensed under CC BY 2.0
Abandoned” by Lane Pearman licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: The Atlantic

As the population of youths across America moves to find jobs opportunities in bigger cities, rural America becomes less populated, and concentrated with older and whiter populations.

The job and career opportunities are slim as technology has taken over the jobs that might have been available some years ago, like farming. Agriculture alone as one of the most outstanding career opportunities only makes up 2% of American jobs.

In the period between 2010 and 2014 alone, rural areas lost approximately 33.000 people annually.
Now, most young people live in major cities now and only 19 percent of Americans live in places deemed ‘rural.’ For the rural towns that are left behind, this means a loss of business maintenance and development. The Atlantic profiles Wheeler County in Oregon in particular, which has struggled in the past few years to keep businesses open as the older populations who own them die.

For now, these rural locations across America look to attract older populations who want to settle in quiet towns, perhaps revisit dreams of opening their own businesses once again.

Read full story at: The Atlantic

Justice & Poverty, News
Justice & Poverty, News