PRB

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

• Appalachia’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.8 percentage points between 2014-2018 to 2019-2023, compared to a 0.4 percentage point decrease in the rest of the U.S.
• Appalachia’s labor force participation rate among civilians ages 25 to 64 was 1.5 percentage points higher in 2019-2023 than it was in 2014-2018, slightly outpacing the national increase of 1.2 points.

Homeownership bypasses national average

• Among occupied housing units, homeownership in the region was 6.7 percentage points higher than in the U.S. overall.
• However, housing unit vacancy in the Appalachian Region was 3.4 percentage points higher than the national average.

Below average number of cost burdened households

• The share of households in Appalachia that are cost burdened – where housing costs are 30% or more of monthly income—is 6.7 percentage points lower than the U.S. average.
• In Appalachia and nationally, housing cost burden is highest among the youngest and oldest renters.

“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

• Appalachia’s population is growing – but more slowly than the nation as a whole.
• Growth in the region was 4.3 percentage points lower than the national average between 2010 and 2023.
• In addition, Appalachia’s population is, on average, 2.2 years older than the U.S. population, with 1 in 5 Appalachian residents age 65 or older.

Post-secondary educational attainment remains behind national average

• 27.3% of Appalachians hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, falling behind the national average of 35%.

Greater share of Appalachians live in poverty

• At $64,588, the median household income in Appalachia is nearly $14,000 below the U.S. average of $78,538.
• More than 14% of Appalachians live in poverty or “deep” 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:

• Northern Appalachia has the highest share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or more in the science and engineering field at 32.4%.
• North Central Appalachia has the highest share of veterans among the subregions.
• Central Appalachia saw an increase in digital device ownership and internet access, although broadband access remains a challenge.
• South Central Appalachia experienced one of the most significant decreases in cost-burdened households compared to other subregions.
• Southern Appalachia has the highest mean and median incomes—and income per capita is increasing more than in the other subregions.

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.