Between, 1880 and 1900 the urban population of the United States rose from 28% to 40% (1), and reached 50% by 1920, in part due to 9,000,000 European immigrants. After 1890 the US rural population began to plummet as farmers were displaced by mechanization and forced to migrate to urban factory jobs.

Arizona

In the 1990s, Arizona's rural population grew by 29% while the rural retiree population grew by 43%.

Colorado

During the 1990s, Colorado's rural working-age population grew by 40% and the rural retiree population grew by 23%. The statewide population grew 31%, the statewide retiree population grew by 27%, and the statewide working-age population grew by 31%.

Florida

In the 1990s, the population of Florida's rural counties grew 25%. The state's rural retiree population grew 28%. The overall population increased by 24%, while the retiree population increased 19%.

Illinois

During the 1990s, the rural population of Illinois increased by 1%, while the population of Chicago increased 12%.

Kansas

During the 1990s, the rural population of Kansas increased by 2%, while the statewide increase was 9%.

Minnesota

During the 1990s, the population of Minnesota increased 12%. The working-age population increased 14% and the retiree population increased 9%.

North Dakota

In the 1990s, the rural population of North Dakota decreased 6% while the overall population remained constant.

Washington

During the 1990s, Washington's rural population grew by 20%. Meanwhile, the rural working-age population grew 22% and the rural retiree population grew 16%. Overall, there was 21% growth with 23% for statewide working-age populations and 15% for retirees.

See also

• rural exodus, rural sociology
• Mean center of U.S. population

References

• The Value of Rural Life in American Culture by William Howarth