By GEORGE JARED/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS
According to the 2021 Rural Profile of Arkansas, the state’s rural population decreased about 3.3% between 2010 and 2019, while the overall population of Arkansas grew by more than 3% during that same period. However, about 41% of the state’s population still resided in rural counties in 2019, which was higher than the national average.
Wayne Miller, professor of Community, Professional and Economic Development for the Division of Agriculture, and co-author of the 2021 profile, said the publication highlights both the challenges and successes of rural communities in the state.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/report-arkansas-rural-population-declined-33-during-last-decade
An abandoned railroad right-of-way near Hazen. The report says rural areas like this saw a population decline of 3.3% over the last decade.
CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS