Migration Momentum: Rural America’s population has risen for the 4th year in a row!

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
Often referred to as “a steadfast voice for rural America”
Preserving equity through active risk management remains critical in a volatile, supply-driven market.
USDA data indicates that 13.7 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate since 2014, even as most households remained food secure.
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Bigger cows must wean proportionally heavier calves to justify higher ownership costs.
Improving consumer confidence supports baseline food and fuel demand, but cautious spending limits upside potential for ag markets in 2026.