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

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

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

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!

Some definition of terms…

Rural-Urban Ratio, 2000

Rural-Urban Ratio,

Iowa’s Rural Population,

Rural Farm, Place, and Open Country, 2000

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

Rural Non-Farm Population Change,

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

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

Courtesy of FreeNaturePictures 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 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

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

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

Percentage of workers who commute

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

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

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

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

Case Study: Cass County Key Informant Interviews –School Officials –Real Estate Agents –Economic Development Officials

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

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

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

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

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

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

Courting Newcomers: Greenfield, IA

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?