Rural Conditions and Trends, 1990-1994.

The five volumes of Rural Conditions and Trends for 1990-1994 contain information and statistical data on economic and social conditions and trends of interest to rural educators and researchers. Articles cover the following areas: macroeconomic trends; employment; unemployment; industry; earnings; income; poverty; population; national economic conditions; national economy links to rural areas; county classifications; the rural workforce; and farm income. A supplement to the Spring 1991 issue discusses financial institutions; rural banks; rural savings and loans; credit unions; rural credit markets; deposit insurance reform; and projected trends. Volume 3 number 1 discusses the loss of better educated people to urban areas. Wider opportunities for jobs requiring higher skills and paying higher wages in metro areas undoubtedly has contributed to the loss of college-educated nonmetro people to metro areas. If rural areas do not find ways to create or attract high-skill, high-wage jobs, then there may be little that can be done to close the earnings, income, and poverty gaps and keep more highly educated residents in rural areas. Volume 4 number 3, the special census issue, compares economic and social changes during the 1980s to those of the 1970s. Educational attainment and earnings of hired farmworkers is also covered. Issues contain extensive data tables, statistical figures, and appendices providing data sources and definitions. (SV)