By Lorelei Goff
Appalachia improved in several key areas between 2012 and 2021, according to a June report published by the Appalachian Regional Commission, but the region also continues to struggle with inequities.
Among the region’s key gains are a 10% increase in median household income, a three-percentage-point increase in the number of individuals holding bachelor’s degrees, a nearly two-percentage-point decrease in unemployment, a two-percentage-point decrease in poverty and a more than 10% increase in the population.
Key concerns include lower broadband subscription rates than in non-Appalachian areas, with under 70% of households having subscriptions in 42 Appalachian counties. More households depend on federal food assistance in Appalachia than the rest of the country, with 20% of households in Central Appalachia receiving payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Appalachia also has an aging population, with nearly 20% of the population in 291 counties 65 or older and a three-percentage-point increase in the number of older residents with disabilities.
And although poverty rates have declined overall in the region, rates have stayed the same or increased in 77 Appalachian counties.
“While we are making significant progress for our families in Appalachia, it’s important we recognize there is work to be done,” said ARC 2023 States’ CoChair Gov. Andy Beshear in a press release.
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
Neighbors Help Neighbors
A photo essay that celebrates the volunteer spirit of the grassroots group Hurricane Helene WNC and speaks to the resourcefulness, collaboration and hard work embodied by thousands and thousands of volunteers, first responders and aid workers across the region after Hurricane Helene.
Halloween Approaches, and Night School Is in Session
The House of Art in Bluefield, West Virginia, looks like a haunted tower, making it the perfect location for its sixth annual haunt event: Night School. The Night School will be open every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31.
‘The Most Perfect Act of Love’
Hundreds of people attended the second annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration on a 24-acre farm dubbed “Fruity Farm” in Bethpage, Sumner County, Tennessee.
Signs of Life: Endangered Bats Found in Nantahala for First Time in More Than a Decade
In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment