On Thursday, the Census Bureau released data from the American Community Survey, which showed median household incomes had increased in 2014-2015 by 3.4% in the non-metro United States to $44,212.

“Non-metro” is synonymous with “rural.” Therefore, rural areas experienced income growth between 2014-2015.

Unfortunately, before the Census released the new survey data on Thursday, many media outlets had already reported–erroneously–that non-metro incomes had fallen. On Friday, in a story titled, Actually, Income in Rural America is Growing, Too, the New York Times got the story right. Since Friday, a few other media outlets have reported the correct information. However, many others have not. Instead, many media outlets continue to report incorrect information about rural income; some even refuse to update incorrect stories. And, in a bizarre twist, the New York Times on Monday published a series of opinion articles in their Room for Debate section based on the outdated Census data, therefore occupying three different positions on the facts in a period of three days.

We encourage the media to report this story correctly. According to Census, rural incomes have grown by 3.4% in the non-metro United States to $44,212. The income growth seen in cities is now being experienced in small towns and other rural communities. It’s a story that deserves the media’s fullest attention–even if it is difficult to report.

Matt Herrick
Director of Communications
U.S. Department of Agriculture