Sara Srygley
Research Associate
Report from ARC and PRB finds decreased unemployment, increased labor force participation, and higher homeownership in Appalachia—but the Region still lags behind the U.S. in population and income growth, as well as post-secondary education attainment.
July 3, 2025
Research Associate
Research Analyst
Senior Vice President, Programs
New data released by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and PRB in the 15th annual update of The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2019-2023 American Community Survey shows that rates of labor force participation and homeownership continue to improve in Appalachia.
Drawing from the latest American Community Survey and comparable 2023 Census Population Estimates, the report, known as “The Chartbook,” contains more than 300,000 data points comparing Appalachia’s regional, subregional and state data with the rest of the nation.
Key improvements in the region’s economic indicators are as follows:
Decrease in unemployment rates and higher labor force participation
Homeownership bypasses national average
Below average number of cost burdened households
“While Appalachia continues to make progress toward reaching economic parity with the rest of the country, it’s important to recognize there is still work to be done,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “ARC will continue to partner on the local, state, and federal levels to prioritize the future of Appalachia’s 13 states and remains committed to ensuring Appalachians have access to the education, job training and infrastructure they need for prosperous lives in the places they love.”
“This year’s Chartbook highlights important economic advances, not only in Maryland but across the Appalachian Region—including gains in employment and homeownership,” said ARC 2025 States’ Co-Chair, Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “By working together, we continue to uplift our most vulnerable populations, promoting a better, brighter future for all families across Appalachia.”
Despite positive trends, several data points revealed key challenges affecting Appalachian economies compared to the rest of the nation:
Despite population increase, growth lags
Post-secondary educational attainment remains behind national average
Greater share of Appalachians live in poverty
“The data point to bright spots but also guide us to areas where targeted efforts could improve well-being for Appalachians across the region,” said Sara Srygley, a senior research associate at PRB. “Decisionmakers and advocates can use the Chartbook to create the changes they want to see in their communities.”
The data shows that Appalachia’s rural areas continue to be at increased risk for economic distress compared to its urban areas. Appalachia’s 107 rural counties are also more uniquely challenged, compared to 841 similarly designated rural counties across the rest of the U.S., as rural Appalachian counties continue to lag behind on indicators including educational attainment and household income.
The data also highlights key differences between Appalachia’s subregions, including:
In addition to the written report co-authored by the Population Reference Bureau, ARC offers companion web pages on Appalachia’s population, employment, education, income and poverty, computer and broadband access, and rural Appalachian counties compared to the rest of rural America’s counties. For more information, visit www.arc.gov/chartbook.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.