Reversing Population Decline in Rural Pennsylvania

Abstract

Historical population decline in rural Pennsylvania runs counter to polling data suggesting that many Americans prefer to live in rural areas if they could live anywhere they wished. The purpose of this study was to explore this disconnect guided by two research questions: What are the factors that lure (i.e., pull toward) or block (i.e., push away) people from relocating to, and staying in, rural areas, and how do those factors align with existing population shrinkage strategies, specifically for rural communities? To explore these research questions, the researchers conducted an online survey that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data collected from residents of Pennsylvania and 10 states adjacent to Pennsylvania. Participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Overall, the results of the study support the argument that there are individuals living in both neighboring states and in non-rural Pennsylvania that are not attached to where they currently live, would prefer to live in a rural area, and may respond positively to relocation incentives that are tailored to their needs and wants. Key highlights include: respondents from both samples who are married, white, have school-aged children in their household, have some level of student debt, hold conservative political views, and currently work remote in some capacity seem to be more likely than respondents without those characteristics to be open to relocating to rural Pennsylvania. The results from both samples revealed that primary healthcare access is not as prominent in the minds of respondents when considering relocation to rural Pennsylvania, compared to factors such as a strong K-12 education system or seemingly secondary needs like access to outdoor activities, a relaxed pace of life, and opportunities for civic involvement. Pennsylvania residents appear receptive to a 10-year state income tax credit as a relocation incentive.