Population change and rural society at the turn of the century

David L. Brown, Cornell University
William A. Kandel, U.S. Department of Agriculture (DOA)
Joachim Singlemann, Lousiana State University

This paper examines four main ways in which U.S. population change affects and is being affected by rural social structure at the turn of the 21st century. We analyze the rural population's changing race, ethnic, and age compositions; how globalization and economic restructuring are affecting rural livelihoods; how changes in population distribution produce tensions between alternative land uses; and we explore reasons why some rural areas are historically disadvantaged while others are finding new growth opportunities. Broad national level trends are summarized, and regional specificities of these trends are identified.