Working Poverty across the Metro-Nonmetro Divide: A Quarter Century in Perspective, 1979-2003

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Economics
• Urban Studies

Background:

• Spatial inequality is a growing concern, requiring focus on comparative advantage and disadvantage across subnational scales.
• Understanding the relationship between work and poverty is crucial for addressing socioeconomic disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between work and poverty in U.S. metropolitan (metro) and nonmetropolitan (nonmetro) areas.
• To analyze how this relationship has evolved over the past 25 years, considering spatial and temporal dimensions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the March Current Population Survey (CPS) from 1979 to 2003.
• Employed logistic-regression models to analyze the effects of residence, family labor supply, and time period on working poverty.

Main Results:

• Working poverty disproportionately impacted nonmetro families between 1979 and 2003.
• A trend of residential convergence was observed, with working poverty increasing in metro areas towards nonmetro levels.
• Labor supply offered less poverty protection for nonmetro families, though this disadvantage decreased in recent years.

Conclusions:

• Policies are needed to support economically marginalized populations.
• Recognizing variable opportunity costs of employment across the rural-urban continuum is essential for effective policy.