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Population Change in The Countryside: What Does It Mean for Rural Iowa?

Population Change in The Countryside: What Does It Mean for Rural Iowa?. J. Gordon Arbuckle, Jr. Extension Sociology Andrea Rich Graduate Research Assistant, Sociology. Photo courtesy of USDA/NRCS. Overview. What are the population trends? What are some of the factors driving change?

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Population Change in The Countryside: What Does It Mean for Rural Iowa?

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  1. Population Change in The Countryside: What Does It Mean for Rural Iowa? J. Gordon Arbuckle, Jr. Extension Sociology Andrea Rich Graduate Research Assistant, Sociology Photo courtesy of USDA/NRCS

  2. Overview • What are the population trends? • What are some of the factors driving change? • What might those changes mean for rural Iowa, Extension?

  3. Some definition of terms… Urban: Urbanized areas: urban center with greater than 50,000 people. Core with 1000 people/square mile, and periphery with 500 people/square mile Urban clusters: centers with between 2,500 and 50,000 people Rural: Everyone who does not reside in urban areas

  4. Some definition of terms… Metropolitan statistical areas: Core counties containing urbanized areas Outlying counties where 25%+ workers commute to core counties Nonmetro: Micropolitan areas: counties that have urban centers of 10,000 people or more Noncore counties: all the rest Note: Metropolitan counties have many rural residents!

  5. Some definition of terms…

  6. Rural-Urban Ratio, 2000

  7. Rural-Urban Ratio, 1980-2000

  8. Iowa’s Rural Population, 1940-2000

  9. Rural Farm, Place, and Open Country, 2000

  10. What’s behind these population shifts? • Farm population: continuing decline • Rural non-farm population increasing • Agricultural jobs disappear, but rural residents remain in communities • Shrinking of small towns increases non-farm population: under 2,500 pop. is rural non-farm • Newcomers moving into rural communities

  11. Rural Non-Farm Population Change, 1990-2000

  12. What’s behind these population shifts? • Shifting Social Values: Push and Pull • Urban and suburban living no longer epitome of American dream • “Rural living” drawing people back to country • Transportation & Commuting • Improved highways and vehicles facilitate commuting • The line between urban and rural is blurred as more people travel to metro areas to work

  13. Pull Factors: Amenities • Amenities can be defined as assets that attract residents and visitors • Natural Amenities • Cultural Amenities • Quality of life considerations rival economic factors in decisions to stay in, migrate to rural areas

  14. Natural Amenities • Water, Mountains, Forests, Sunshine • Coastlines • Parks and other outdoor recreation opportunities • Resorts • Wilderness and open spaces are important draws • Areas with uncommon natural beauty growing fastest Courtesy of FreeNaturePictures

  15. Natural Amenities • In the Midwest, lakes, rivers, trails, parks are the primary natural amenities • Natural amenities contribute to growth in population, economic activity, new housing • People are willing to make economic sacrifices in order to live in places rich in natural amenities

  16. Cultural Amenities: Quality of Life • Americans feel a sentimental tie to “the rural” • Historic buildings: “Main Street” • Agrarian roots of nation: Farm landscapes • Quality of life key factor • Safety, quiet, slower pace of life, lower housing costs • Rural/small town characteristics (social capital) • Residents traditionally have strong ties to their community and to one another • Rural communities have increased density of acquaintanceship-people know one another across generations • Neighborliness: rural residents willing to pitch in when they see a need

  17. Commuting • Communities within “commuter zones” adjacent to metro areas are growing • Means by which long time residents can remain in their community • Allows urban/suburban residents to move to rural areas • Increased connections between rural and urban areas

  18. Percentage of workers who commute

  19. Positive Impacts of Newcomers • Social Diversity • Different perspectives and experiences • Can bring new ideas to communities • Focus on preserving cultural and natural resources • Economic Benefits • Often invest in new enterprises • Networks that extend outside of the receiving community can bring economic resources and expertise • Transfer of resources from urban to rural areas

  20. Potential Negative Impacts of Newcomers • Weakened social solidarity • Possible insider/outsider mentality • Social relationships take time to develop • Newcomers may be unprepared for rural life: expectations vs. reality • Odors associated with livestock • Self-provision of water, sewer • Fewer services available

  21. Potential Negative Impacts of Newcomers • Newcomers’ expectations and objectives may clash with those of long-time residents • preservationism vs. property rights • Environmentalism vs. production • Increased farmland prices • Increases in population can lead to degradation of conditions and resources that attracted newcomers

  22. Case Study: Cass County

  23. Case Study: Cass County • 2006 Population : 14,124 • Population has decreased, but rural non-farm population has increased • Low farm income dependence • Less than 10% of income earned in the county comes from farm sources

  24. Case Study: Cass County • Key Informant Interviews • School Officials • Real Estate Agents • Economic DevelopmentOfficials

  25. Commuting • 84% of Cass County labor force lives in the county • Large draws from Pottawattamie & Audubon County • 19% of residents commute • 541 to Omaha/Council Bluffs • 113 to Des Moines • 209 to Montgomery County

  26. Cultural Amenities • Small town feel • Safety • Relationships with neighbors • Vounteerism/community pride • Services • YMCA • Hospital • Ease of retirement • Low Cost of living

  27. Natural Amenities • Living in the Country • Peace • Privacy • Opportunity for animals • 4-H! • Natural Amenities • Not mentioned in interviews

  28. Initial Findings: Who’s moving? • In 2005, 65% of Cass County residents lived in the same home as 2000 • Economic differences affect how welcomed newcomers felt • Informants believed many newcomers were people moving back rather than moving in

  29. Opportunities Associated with new “Rural Rebound” • Transfer of income, assets to rural areas • New entrepreneurship ideas and opportunities • Services, restaurants, shops • Increased demand for local food systems • New producers, products • Farmers markets • Agritourism

  30. Opportunities Associated with new “Rural Rebound” • New residents can provide impetus for further development of natural, cultural amenities • Bike trails, natural areas • Historic preservation • Acreage landowners • Interest in wildlife, habitat improvement • Alternative agricultural activities

  31. Courting Newcomers: Greenfield, IA

  32. Things to consider… • Active development of cultural and natural amenities effective means of retaining residents, attracting newcomers, visitors • As urban areas grow, so does desire to move to/return to rural areas: people will continue to move in • Newcomers often have different expectations, can lead to conflict • Environment: consumption vs. production • Fuel prices and commuting, telecommuting?

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