Rural economies

The disposable income for people in rural communities decreased by 38 percent from the year prior. That means less financial security for small town residents.

This story is part of the special series United And Divided, which explores the links and rifts between rural and urban America.Rural voters…

Fewer young attorneys are choosing to set up shop in small towns and take over for retiring professionals. Just like the shortages of doctors, nurses,…

The town of Brookfield, Missouri, in the north-central part of the state is a close-knit community. Population: about 4,500. Becky Cleveland, who grew up…

Corn and soybean farmers in the Midwest are likely to earn far less money this year than they did last year, with some economists predicting that incomes…

Todd Mendenhall slouches in his barber's chair, his gaze fixed on the door of his shop, waiting for a customer to open it. The clock ticks to one o'clock…

Many Midwest farmers will be looking to cut costs as farming grows more expensive and commodity prices take a dip this harvest year.David Widmar, an…