Rural America saw a major population growth for the fourth year in a row.
Census Bureau data shows that non-metropolitan counties grew by 134,000 residents last year. It marks a notable turn from a nearly decade-long trend of population decline in rural areas.
Migrating to rural towns in the South was especially popular.
Nearly two-thirds of rural population growth in the U.S. took place in the southern region of the country.
Related Stories
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss Canada’s new trade agreement with China, the potential impact on farmers and exporters, and what it could mean for U.S.–Canada trade relations going forward.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
The application deadline is March 8, 2026. The 1890 National Scholars Program aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences.
