It’s important to understand where statistics about rural America come from, because those statistics influence the funding and governmental programs we see in our communities.

One of the sources of statistics on rural communities is The Economic Research Service, which is an arm of the US Department of Agriculture, measuring the economics of food, farming, Natural Resources and Rural America. Its mission is to achieve ‘An Enhanced Quality of Life for Rural Americans.’

The overview statement of the ERS is the following:

Rural America is home to about 17 percent (50 million) of the Nation’s people, comprises over 2,000 counties, and accounts for 75 percent of the Nation’s land. ERS research explores how investments in rural people, businesses, and communities affect the capacity of rural economies to prosper in the new and changing global marketplace.

The site is divided in various subjects and ‘briefing rooms’ like

Farm Economy
Farm Practices and Management
Food & Nutrition Assistance
Food Sector
Diet, Health and Safety
Natural Resources & Environment
Policy Topics
Research & Productivity
Rural Economy
Trade & International Markets

The 2008 Edition of Rural America at A Glance is available to read online as a web page, as a downloadable pdf, and as a podcast. It makes for an interesting read, providing much food for thought in comparing what’s happening in your rural community to other communities across the country.

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