Jeff: >I thought the population trend was still towards city growth and away from >rural areas? Probably both views are somewhat correct. We have redefined >the meaning of rural to some extent as suburbs snake away from cities and >farmers support the farm by commuting to jobs.
Population statistics have indeed become skewed by Census Bureau redefinition of the term "metropolitan statistical area." There are in fact some seriously rural areas that are included within their defined metro areas. I am most acquainted with the greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area. One drives through very rural areas approaching St. Louis from the west, but those counties are included in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. Metro areas now have such ballooned edges that they constitute one-fifth of the total U.S. land mass. Go figure. In spite of Census Bureau shenanigans, their own numbers show that more people are moving into nonmetro counties than are moving out--see http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/population/. By the old metro definition, the urban exodus is even bigger. I expect the out-migration trend to accelerate. I just read a day or two ago that New York City has lost a substantial percentage of its commercial economy. This feeds the trend. As big companies move to less expensive headquarter in semi-rural places, the labor force follows and often commutes in from rural homes. Hence, my optimism that an increasing number of children will grow up with a greater knowledge of and appreciation for nature. Gene GeRue Author, How To Find Your Ideal Country Home
