Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Economics and the economy
Counties Most Reliant on Farming Tend to be Located in Center of the Country
Color-coded map highlighting counties with high farming concentration as of 2025. Distinguishes between rural and urban high farming-concentration counties.
Author(s): Austin Sanders
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Color-coded map highlighting counties with high farming concentration as of 2025. Distinguishes between rural and urban high farming-concentration counties.
Author(s): Austin Sanders
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Industry Specialization Varies Across Rural Counties, Favoring Manufacturing and Farming
Color-coded map showing industry dependence among rural counties in 2025. Provides data breakdowns on the total prevalence of rural specialization in farming, mining, manufacturing, recreation, and other industries.
Author(s): Austin Sanders, James C. Davis
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Color-coded map showing industry dependence among rural counties in 2025. Provides data breakdowns on the total prevalence of rural specialization in farming, mining, manufacturing, recreation, and other industries.
Author(s): Austin Sanders, James C. Davis
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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How Community Health Centers Respond to Rural Hospital Closures
Describes how community health centers work to fill gaps in healthcare services and impact the economy when a local rural hospital closes.
Author(s): Nick Widmyer, Lena Ben-Gideon
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Describes how community health centers work to fill gaps in healthcare services and impact the economy when a local rural hospital closes.
Author(s): Nick Widmyer, Lena Ben-Gideon
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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2024 Nebraska Rural Poll Research Report: Economy and Trade Policy
Analyzes 2024 Nebraska Rural Poll results related to concerns over economic issues, household finances and income, and perceptions of economic policy.
Author(s): Heather Akin, Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Mary Emery, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Analyzes 2024 Nebraska Rural Poll results related to concerns over economic issues, household finances and income, and perceptions of economic policy.
Author(s): Heather Akin, Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Mary Emery, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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The Potential for Hospital System Integration to Improve the Financial Outlook of Rural Hospitals in the United States
Provides an overview of the current financial status of rural hospitals and their risk of closure, as defined by days of cash on hand and total margins. Discusses the impact of rural hospital closures on local communities, including on health outcomes, demographics, and the economy. Explores the extent to which affiliating with, merging with, or being acquired by a larger hospital system can impact the financial position of rural hospitals.
Author(s): Al Dobson, Michael Beins, Patrick McMahon, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare, Dobson DaVanzo & Associates
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Provides an overview of the current financial status of rural hospitals and their risk of closure, as defined by days of cash on hand and total margins. Discusses the impact of rural hospital closures on local communities, including on health outcomes, demographics, and the economy. Explores the extent to which affiliating with, merging with, or being acquired by a larger hospital system can impact the financial position of rural hospitals.
Author(s): Al Dobson, Michael Beins, Patrick McMahon, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare, Dobson DaVanzo & Associates
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Legislative Resolution 374: Interim Study to Examine the Availability of Healthy and Affordable Food Choices in Nebraska Communities
Reports on food insecurity and independent grocery stores in rural Nebraska, with data on communities' food access, factors influencing food security in rural areas, and independent grocery stores' operations and community benefit. Highlights program models supporting food access and sustainability.
Author(s): Carlie Jonas
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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Reports on food insecurity and independent grocery stores in rural Nebraska, with data on communities' food access, factors influencing food security in rural areas, and independent grocery stores' operations and community benefit. Highlights program models supporting food access and sustainability.
Author(s): Carlie Jonas
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience
Reports on the economic value of broadband infrastructure for rural areas. Provides a variety of data on broadband and economic growth in rural communities and compares rural and urban gaps in broadband access. Features a broadband development case study for Beltrami County, Minnesota, which includes discussion of broadband's value for telehealth and other aspects of healthcare delivery and availability.
Author(s): Amanda Weinstein, May Erouart, Adam Dewbury
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center on Rural Innovation
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Reports on the economic value of broadband infrastructure for rural areas. Provides a variety of data on broadband and economic growth in rural communities and compares rural and urban gaps in broadband access. Features a broadband development case study for Beltrami County, Minnesota, which includes discussion of broadband's value for telehealth and other aspects of healthcare delivery and availability.
Author(s): Amanda Weinstein, May Erouart, Adam Dewbury
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center on Rural Innovation
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Changes to Population Distribution and Commuting Patterns Blur the Line Between Rural and Urban
Highlights the change in commuting patterns between rural workers and urban areas and describes the impact on rural communities and economies. Discusses the multiple definitions of rural.
Author(s): Earlene K.P. Dowell
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Highlights the change in commuting patterns between rural workers and urban areas and describes the impact on rural communities and economies. Discusses the multiple definitions of rural.
Author(s): Earlene K.P. Dowell
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Economic Role of Oklahoma Hospitals: Industry Profile & Economic Impacts
Reports on the economic impact of hospitals in Oklahoma, including data on revenue, hospital-supported jobs, direct wages, and more. See pages 10-11 for discussion of rural hospital access disparities.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma Hospital Association
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Reports on the economic impact of hospitals in Oklahoma, including data on revenue, hospital-supported jobs, direct wages, and more. See pages 10-11 for discussion of rural hospital access disparities.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma Hospital Association
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County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2025
Map showing levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Map showing levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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