There was a further loss of population in Rural America in the latest census. The census data indicated that population gains in many rural areas were driven by an increate in Hispanic and Latino residents, many of whom were immigrants working on farms or meatpacking plants. Center For Rural Affairs Policy Director Johnathan Hladik says that loss of rural population will mean a loss of needed federal funding in rural communities as well as a loss of Representation at the state level of government.

He says getting immigration reform legislation passed will be a key to revitalizing rural areas that have lost population.

Hladik says those who leave rural areas generally do so because either of job availability or no incentive to stay or lack of quality of life. He says by boosting small businesses and increasing entrepreneurship opportunities, that will entice people to stay.

The population trend in Nebraska showed only 24 of the state’s 93 counties gained residents. Of those 24, only eight reported an increase in the white population.