Webinar: Understanding the Rise in Rural Child Poverty, 2003‐2014

Rural child poverty fell during the 1990's, but trended upward from 2003 to 2012, rising during the economic expansion of 2003-07, the recession of 2007-2009, and in the first few years of economic recovery. The share of rural children living in poverty peaked in 2012 at 26.7 percent, the highest rate since at least 1968. The rural child poverty rate has since declined, but it remains significantly higher than in 2003.

ERS economist Thomas Hertz presented findings from his recent report co-authored by ERS geographer Tracey Farrigan, Understanding the Rise in Rural Child Poverty, 2003-2014 (see link below), on the causes of rising rural child poverty since 2003. Their analysis seeks to explain the relative importance of changes in average rural incomes, changes in income inequality, and changes in rural demographics.

Understanding the Rise in Rural Child Poverty, 2003-14