On Thursday, the Census Bureau released data from the American Community Survey, which showed median household incomes had increased in 2014-2015 by 3.4% in the non-metro United States to $44,212.
"Non-metro” is synonymous with "rural." Therefore, rural areas experienced income growth between 2014-2015.
Unfortunately, before the Census released the new survey data on Thursday, many media outlets had already reported--erroneously--that non-metro incomes had fallen. On Friday, in a story titled, Actually, Income in Rural America is Growing, Too, the New York Times got the story right. Since Friday, a few other media outlets have reported the correct information. However, many others have not. Instead, many media outlets continue to report incorrect information about rural income; some even refuse to update incorrect stories. And, in a bizarre twist, the New York Times on Monday published a series of opinion articles in their Room for Debate section based on the outdated Census data, therefore occupying three different positions on the facts in a period of three days.
We encourage the media to report this story correctly. According to Census, rural incomes have grown by 3.4% in the non-metro United States to $44,212. The income growth seen in cities is now being experienced in small towns and other rural communities. It's a story that deserves the media's fullest attention--even if it is difficult to report.
Matt Herrick
Director of Communications
U.S. Department of Agriculture
UPDATED STORIES:
Actually, Income in Rural America Is Growing, Too (The New York Times)
On Tuesday, when the Census Bureau released one of the country’s most important reports on income and poverty, dozens and dozens of facts were revealed. We found out that real middle-class incomes in America grew a phenomenal 5.2 percent, and that the poverty rate fell by the largest percentage in nearly 50 years.
CORRECTION: In Another Census Report, Rural Incomes, Poverty Improved (The Daily Yonder)
A Census report that said rural incomes had fallen and poverty had increased from 2014 to 2015 made an erroneous comparison. In fact, another report shows that income and poverty rates improved in nonmetropolitan counties during the period.
Urban and rural households enjoyed similar income gains in 2015 (Corrected) (Vox)
This article originally reported that urban households had seen their median incomes rise in 2015, while incomes in rural areas fell. But that appears to have reflected a statistical anomaly in the Current Population Survey. More reliable data released later in the week by the American Community Survey — another program of the Census Bureau — found that median household income in rural areas gained 3.4 percent, while urban and suburban households gained 3.6 percent. The text below has been corrected.
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