Ethnoracial Diversity Across Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan America: Urbanization, Multiracial Growth, and Uneven Exposure to Diversity

Abstract

Growing ethnoracial diversity is a defining characteristic of the America’s urban and suburban populations. Here we shift attention to growing but underappreciated diversity in rural areas and use U.S. Census data from 1980 to 2020 to investigate trends in rural diversity. We compare three rural Americas: metropolitan expansion counties (i.e., growth at the metro fringe), emergence counties (recently reclassified small metropolitan areas), and left behind counties (consistently rural places). We estimate exposure to diversity across ethnoracial groups and produce counterfactual estimates that highlight the unique contributions of each group’s growth and decline to overall diversity. Although diversity is increasing across county types, the demographic profiles of expansion and emergence counties remain similar to left behind counties. White and minority exposure to diversity is increasing overtime, with disparities in exposure having converged overtime. Finally, rural diversity also is increasing due to both growing multiracial populations and White population decline.

Determinants of Rural Migration Intent in Nebraska: Evidence from Rural Survey Data

“…These trends have resulted in business closures and substantially reduced access to healthcare, education, public safety, and other public services in many rural communities (Bossard and Friesen, 2018). In addition, political influence is at risk as demographics play a significant role in congressional representation (Brooks et al, 2022). Food and pharmacy deserts are becoming increasingly common in some areas, and the economic viability of such communities is at risk (Doan et al, 2023).…”