The BEDO Economic Bulletin 2023. The Population Replacement Rate of Rural America: A Case Study of Baldwin City

Abstract

Rural population loss has long been a concern for communities across the United States. Slowing population growth rates and migration can create severe problems for rural areas and wreak havoc on their economic stability. This document aims to identify current and future population trends for rural communities, specifically focusing on Baldwin City, Kansas. The study uses census population data to examine changes in growth rates and create population pyramids to evaluate the distribution of the population by age group. This paper will identify the specific age groups which need particular attention: teenagers and young adults, millennial families, and senior citizens. This document will also inform policymakers on recommendations to increase population size through retention of residents and in-migration.