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
Sen. Moran joins us to discuss the farm aid package and the financial reality faced by row crop farmers in his home state of Kansas.
Grain farms still have strong balance sheets, but another stretch of low profits will force hard cost cuts, especially on high-rent, highly leveraged operations.
The new rule removes prevented-plant buy-up coverage, prompting strong objections from farm groups concerned about added risk exposure.
Tight Credit, Strong Yields Define Early December Agriculture
Lawmakers and experts react to the Administration’s long-awaited announcement of “bridge” aid to stabilize farms and offset 2025 losses until expanded safety-net programs begin in 2026.
Read the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s official press release published on Monday, December 8, 2025.