Landownership, development, and poverty in southern Appalachia

Appalachian landownership patterns are examined with attention to their impact on the social development of the region. Concentrated & absentee ownership of resources has resulted in low levels of county expenditures on social services & physical infrastructure, as well as in inhibition of the growth & diversification of the local economy. Analysis of landownership data from 60 Appalachian counties in Ala, Ky, NC, Tenn, & Va shows that high rates of absentee ownership are associated with low rates of education & high rates of poverty. Concentration of ownership was found to relate positively to these same measures of economic & social well-being. Results are discussed with respect to Appalachia's role as a source of raw materials for the national economy. 1 Table, 2 Figures, 1 Appendix. C. Grindle