Rural Employment in Recession and Recovery

The recession of 2007-2009 affected all areas of the country, but some regions fared better than others, in part because of their more favorable industrial composition. Total employment loss rates during 2007-2009 were slightly larger in rural (nonmetro) than urban (metro) counties and began a year earlier. Rural employment growth has lagged behind urban areas since the first half of 2011. About two-fifths of the rural employment growth deficit is due to rural counties having a lower population growth trend and an older, less well-educated workforce. In December 2007, 6 years of economic growth ended as the US economy entered the most severe recession since the Great Depression. Eighty-two percent of US counties experienced employment losses between the fourth quarters of 2007 and 2009, but some areas fared better than others. The last recession was the deepest and longest lasting since the Great Depression.