THE APPALACHIAN REGION IN 2010:

A CENSUS DATA OVERVIEW

Chartbook

Kelvin Pollard

Linda A. Jacobsen

Population Reference Bureau

Prepared for the Appalachian Regional Commission

Under Contract #CO-16506-09

September 2011

The authors wish to thank David Carrier and Keith Witt of ARC 

for their support and guidance.

 
1 

THE APPALACHIAN REGION IN 2010: A CENSUS DATA OVERVIEW

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER 1. POPULATION BASICS

Table 1.1: Population, Land Area, and Population Density in the Appalachian Region, 2010 2 

Figure 1.1: Population Distribution in the Appalachian Region, 2010 3 

Figure 1.2: Population Change in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 4

Figure 1.3: Population per Square Mile of Land Area in the Appalachian Region, 2010 5

CHAPTER 2. AGE

Table 2.1: Population in the Appalachian Region by Age Group, 2010 6

Table 2.2: Population Change in the Appalachian Region by Age Group, 2000-2010 7

Figure 2.1: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Under Age 18, 2010 8

Figure 2.2: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Ages 18 to 24, 2010 9

Figure 2.3: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Ages 25 to 64, 2010 10

Figure 2.4: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Ages 65 and Over, 2010 11

Figure 2.5: Median Age of Persons in the Appalachian Region, 2010 12 

CHAPTER 3. RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN

Table 3.1: Population in the Appalachian Region by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2010 13 

Table 3.2: Population Change in the Appalachian Region by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2000-2010 14

Figure 3.1: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region That Is Minority, 2010 15

Figure 3.2: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region That Is Black Alone, not Hispanic, 2010 16

Figure 3.3: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region That Is Hispanic or Latino, 2010 17

Figure 3.4: Change in the Black Alone, not Hispanic Population in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 18

Figure 3.5: Change in the Hispanic or Latino Population in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 19

CHAPTER 4. HOUSING OCCUPANCY AND TENURE

Table 4.1: Occupancy and Tenure of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2010 20

Table 4.2: Change in Occupancy and Tenure of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 21

Figure 4.1: Percent of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region That Are Occupied, 2010 22 

Figure 4.2: Percent of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region That Are Vacant, 2010 23 

Figure 4.3: Percent Owner-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2010 24

Figure 4.4: Percent Renter-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2010 25

Figure 4.5: Percent Change in Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 26

Figure 4.6: Percent Change in Vacant Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 27

Figure 4.7: Percent Change in Owner-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 28

Figure 4.8: Percent Change in Renter-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010 29

CHAPTER 5. EDUCATION

Table 5.1: Educational Attainment of Persons Ages 25 and Over in the Appalachian Region, 2005-2009 30

Figure 5.1: Percent of Persons Ages 25 and Over in the Appalachian Region With a High School Diploma or More, 2005-2009 31

Figure 5.2: Percent of Persons Ages 25 and Over in the Appalachian Region With a Bachelor’s Degree or More, 2005-2009 32

CHAPTER 6. MIGRATION

Table 6.1: Mobility Status of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region, 2005-2009 33

Figure 6.1: Percent of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region Who Had Moved in the Past Year, 2005-2009 34

Figure 6.2: Percent of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region Who Had Migrated From Outside Their 

County of Residence in the Past Year, 2005-2009

35

Figure 6.3: Percent of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region Who Had Migrated From Outside Their 

State of Residence in the Past Year, 2005-2009

36
2 

CHAPTER 1: POPULATION BASICS

Table 1.1: Population, Land Area, and Population Density in the Appalachian Region, 2010

Population, Change, and Density Population, 

2010 

Change since 2000 Land area

(square miles) 

Population per 

square mile of 

Number Percent land area, 2010 

United States 308,745,538 27,323,632 9.7 3,531,905 87.4

Appalachian Region 25,243,456 1,600,878 6.8 204,455 123.5

Subregions 

Northern Appalachia 8,384,817 -63,703 -0.8 56,978 147.2

North Central Appalachia 2,423,126 102,851 4.4 29,338 82.6

Central Appalachia 1,918,473 30,785 1.6 29,773 64.4

South Central Appalachia 4,718,420 421,188 9.8 34,998 134.8

Southern Appalachia 7,798,620 1,109,757 16.6 53,368 146.1

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 5,772,098 606,377 11.7 17,580 328.3

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 10,187,442 695,399 7.3 50,180 203.0

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 1,696,846 69,006 4.2 18,822 90.2

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 5,046,795 189,006 3.9 69,093 73.0

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 2,540,275 41,090 1.6 48,780 52.1

Alabama 4,779,736 332,636 7.5 50,649 94.4

Appalachian Alabama 3,064,522 227,298 8.0 25,767 118.9

Non-Appalachian Alabama 1,715,214 105,338 6.5 24,882 68.9

Georgia 9,687,653 1,501,200 18.3 57,507 168.5

Appalachian Georgia 2,933,432 725,901 32.9 11,377 257.8

Non-Appalachian Georgia 6,754,221 775,299 13.0 46,130 146.4

Kentucky 4,339,367 297,598 7.4 39,485 109.9

Appalachian Kentucky 1,184,278 23,651 2.0 18,229 65.0

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 3,155,089 273,947 9.5 21,256 148.4

Maryland 5,773,552 477,066 9.0 9,707 594.8

Appalachian Maryland 252,614 15,915 6.7 1,529 165.2

Non-Appalachian Maryland 5,520,938 461,151 9.1 8,178 675.1

Mississippi 2,967,297 122,639 4.3 46,925 63.2

Appalachian Mississippi 629,169 13,717 2.2 12,401 50.7

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 2,338,128 108,922 4.9 34,524 67.7

New York 19,378,102 401,645 2.1 47,127 411.2

Appalachian New York 1,066,421 -6,365 -0.6 11,682 91.3

Non-Appalachian New York 18,311,681 408,010 2.3 35,445 516.6

North Carolina 9,535,483 1,486,170 18.5 48,622 196.1

Appalachian North Carolina 1,698,908 172,701 11.3 11,889 142.9

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 7,836,575 1,313,469 20.1 36,733 213.3

Ohio 11,536,504 183,364 1.6 40,855 282.4

Appalachian Ohio 2,042,040 1,328 0.1 15,978 127.8

Non-Appalachian Ohio 9,494,464 182,036 2.0 24,877 381.7

Pennsylvania 12,702,379 421,325 3.4 44,740 283.9

Appalachian Pennsylvania 5,792,195 -27,605 -0.5 36,441 158.9

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 6,910,184 448,930 6.9 8,299 832.7

South Carolina 4,625,364 613,352 15.3 30,058 153.9

Appalachian South Carolina 1,171,497 142,841 13.9 3,823 306.4

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 3,453,867 470,511 15.8 26,235 131.7

Tennessee 6,346,105 656,822 11.5 41,230 153.9

Appalachian Tennessee 2,785,342 254,732 10.1 20,117 138.5

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 3,560,763 402,090 12.7 21,113 168.7

Virginia 8,001,024 922,509 13.0 39,490 202.6

Appalachian Virginia 770,044 12,114 1.6 11,182 68.9

Non-Appalachian Virginia 7,230,980 910,395 14.4 28,308 255.4

West Virginia (entire state) 1,852,994 44,650 2.5 24,040 77.1

Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2010 Decennial Censuses.
3 

Figure 1.1: Population Distribution in the Appalachian Region, 2010

Of the 308.7 million Americans in 2010, 25.2 million lived in the Appalachian region. Yet the population size of

Appalachia’s 420 counties varied greatly. While two-thirds of the counties had populations of less than 50,000 people, 

there are pockets clustered in large and mid-sized metropolitan areas, including Pittsburgh, Birmingham, and the 

Atlanta suburbs. Allegheny County, Pa. (where Pittsburgh is located) had 1.2 million residents in 2010.
4 

Figure 1.2: Population Change in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

Appalachia’s 2010 population of 25.2 million was nearly 7 percent higher than it was in 2000, slightly lower than the 

nearly 10 percent growth rate for the United States as a whole. And in every Appalachian state except Alabama and 

Georgia, the part of the state outside the Appalachian region grew at a faster rate. 

Yet population change varied greatly within the region. On the one hand, one-third of the region’s 420 counties lost 

population during the decade—mostly in the northern and central counties, as well as in parts of Alabama and 

Mississippi. However, nearly one in four Appalachian counties grew at or above the national average. Most of the 

fastest-growing counties were in Southern and South Central Appalachia, although some counties in Kentucky, 

Pennsylvania, and West Virginia also experienced rapid growth.
5 

Figure 1.3: Population per Square Mile of Land Area in the Appalachian Region, 2010

While Appalachia’s population density is noticeably greater than that of the United States as a whole, less than half of 

the region’s counties have population concentrations at or above the national average. Most of these are in 

metropolitan areas, both large (Pittsburgh, Birmingham, suburban Atlanta) and small (Winston-Salem, N.C; Knoxville, 

Tenn.). 
6 

CHAPTER 2: AGE

Table 2.1: Population in the Appalachian Region by Age Group, 2010

Population by Age Group 

Total 

Population, 

2010 

Percent of Population Median 

Age

(Years) Under Age 

18 Ages 18-24 Ages 25-64 Ages 65 and over

United States 308,745,538 24.0 9.9 53.0 13.0 37.2

Appalachian Region 25,243,456 22.5 9.7 52.8 15.1 39.8

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 8,384,817 20.9 10.0 52.3 16.8 41.7

North Central Appalachia 2,423,126 21.8 9.6 53.3 15.3 40.3

Central Appalachia 1,918,473 22.3 8.6 54.0 15.0 40.4

South Central Appalachia 4,718,420 21.4 9.7 52.5 16.3 40.8

Southern Appalachia 7,798,620 25.0 9.5 53.0 12.6 37.1

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 5,772,098 23.9 8.8 54.1 13.3 38.5

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 10,187,442 22.0 10.4 52.4 15.1 39.5

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 1,696,846 22.8 9.8 51.9 15.5 40.3

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 5,046,795 21.7 9.3 52.5 16.5 41.3

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 2,540,275 22.4 9.1 52.4 16.1 40.6

Alabama 4,779,736 23.7 10.0 52.5 13.8 37.9

Appalachian Alabama 3,064,522 23.4 9.8 53.0 13.8 38.1

Non-Appalachian Alabama 1,715,214 24.2 10.5 51.6 13.7 37.1

Georgia 9,687,653 25.7 10.0 53.6 10.7 35.3

Appalachian Georgia 2,933,432 27.1 8.6 53.8 10.5 35.9

Non-Appalachian Georgia 6,754,221 25.1 10.6 53.6 10.7 35.1

Kentucky 4,339,367 23.6 9.5 53.6 13.3 38.1

Appalachian Kentucky 1,184,278 22.8 9.1 53.8 14.4 39.5

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 3,155,089 23.9 9.7 53.5 12.9 37.3

Maryland 5,773,552 23.4 9.7 54.7 12.3 38.0

Appalachian Maryland 252,614 21.4 9.6 53.3 15.7 40.4

Non-Appalachian Maryland 5,520,938 23.5 9.7 54.7 12.1 37.7

Mississippi 2,967,297 25.5 10.3 51.4 12.8 36.0

Appalachian Mississippi 629,169 24.6 10.7 50.6 14.1 37.0

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 2,338,128 25.7 10.2 51.7 12.5 35.7

New York 19,378,102 22.3 10.2 53.9 13.5 38.0

Appalachian New York 1,066,421 21.0 12.7 50.7 15.6 40.0

Non-Appalachian New York 18,311,681 22.4 10.1 54.1 13.4 37.8

North Carolina 9,535,483 23.9 9.8 53.3 12.9 37.4

Appalachian North Carolina 1,698,908 21.6 9.1 52.5 16.8 41.3

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 7,836,575 24.4 10.0 53.4 12.1 36.5

Ohio 11,536,504 23.7 9.5 52.7 14.1 38.8

Appalachian Ohio 2,042,040 23.0 9.0 52.4 15.6 40.5

Non-Appalachian Ohio 9,494,464 23.8 9.7 52.8 13.7 38.3

Pennsylvania 12,702,379 22.0 9.9 52.7 15.4 40.1

Appalachian Pennsylvania 5,792,195 20.5 10.0 52.5 17.0 42.0

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 6,910,184 23.2 9.9 52.8 14.1 38.5

South Carolina 4,625,364 23.4 10.3 52.7 13.7 37.9

Appalachian South Carolina 1,171,497 23.7 10.2 52.3 13.8 37.9

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 3,453,867 23.3 10.3 52.8 13.6 37.7

Tennessee 6,346,105 23.6 9.6 53.4 13.4 38.0

Appalachian Tennessee 2,785,342 21.9 9.2 53.0 15.9 40.5

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 3,560,763 24.9 9.8 53.8 11.5 36.0

Virginia 8,001,024 23.2 10.0 54.6 12.2 37.5

Appalachian Virginia 770,044 19.6 11.7 52.0 16.8 41.3

Non-Appalachian Virginia 7,230,980 23.5 9.9 54.9 11.7 37.0

West Virginia (entire state) 1,852,994 20.9 9.1 53.9 16.0 41.3

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census.
7 

Table 2.2: Population Change in the Appalachian Region by Age Group, 2000-2010

Change in Population by Age Group 

Percent Change, 2000-2010

Under Age 

18 Ages 18-24 Ages 25-64 Ages 65 and over

United States 2.6 13.0 11.3 15.1

Appalachian Region 1.1 8.7 7.5 12.3

Subregions

Northern Appalachia -10.0 8.2 1.5 0.1

North Central Appalachia -2.4 0.7 6.0 12.4

Central Appalachia -4.6 -6.6 2.8 13.7

South Central Appalachia 5.1 10.3 8.0 23.3

Southern Appalachia 14.0 15.4 16.2 24.8

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 8.4 16.6 13.0 9.7

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 1.8 11.0 7.5 12.9

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros -3.7 5.7 5.7 11.6

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros -3.3 3.0 4.4 13.6

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) -5.8 -2.5 2.8 12.5

Alabama 0.8 9.0 8.9 13.5

Appalachian Alabama 2.4 10.9 8.8 13.2

Non-Appalachian Alabama -1.8 5.9 9.1 13.9

Georgia 14.9 15.8 18.2 31.4

Appalachian Georgia 34.5 26.7 30.1 50.9

Non-Appalachian Georgia 7.5 12.4 13.7 24.6

Kentucky 2.9 2.7 8.6 14.5

Appalachian Kentucky -4.3 -5.9 3.5 13.9

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 5.7 6.2 10.7 14.8

Maryland -0.2 23.6 9.2 18.1

Appalachian Maryland 0.3 13.9 7.7 8.6

Non-Appalachian Maryland -0.3 24.1 9.3 18.7

Mississippi -2.5 -2.0 7.9 10.7

Appalachian Mississippi -4.8 -1.0 4.6 10.1

Non-Appalachian Mississippi -1.9 -2.2 8.8 10.9

New York -7.8 12.4 3.8 6.9

Appalachian New York -12.7 8.2 1.6 4.6

Non-Appalachian New York -7.5 12.7 3.9 7.1

North Carolina 16.2 16.3 17.9 27.3

Appalachian North Carolina 7.1 13.8 9.5 22.5

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 18.1 16.9 19.9 28.9

Ohio -5.5 4.1 3.1 7.6

Appalachian Ohio -7.8 -0.8 1.8 8.0

Non-Appalachian Ohio -5.0 5.1 3.4 7.5

Pennsylvania -4.5 15.3 5.4 2.1

Appalachian Pennsylvania -9.5 10.2 1.9 -1.2

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania -0.3 19.9 8.6 5.7

South Carolina 7.0 16.8 15.5 30.2

Appalachian South Carolina 10.7 16.0 12.1 25.9

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 5.8 17.1 16.7 31.7

Tennessee 7.0 10.5 11.6 21.3

Appalachian Tennessee 5.0 8.6 8.6 25.2

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 8.4 11.9 14.0 17.5

Virginia 6.6 18.1 12.9 23.3

Appalachian Virginia -4.8 2.9 0.0 15.5

Non-Appalachian Virginia 7.8 20.3 14.4 24.6

West Virginia (entire state) -3.7 -2.0 4.4 7.4

Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2010 Decennial Censuses.
8 

Figure 2.1: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Under Age 18, 2010

The percentage of children and youth in the Appalachian population is lower than the national average of 24 percent, 

with the share falling below 20 percent in nearly one-sixth of the region’s counties (mostly outside metropolitan areas). 

Yet in nearly one in five Appalachian counties, the proportion of children under age 18 exceeds the national average. 

Most of these are in southern Appalachia.
9 

Figure 2.2: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Ages 18 to 24, 2010

The proportion of Appalachian residents ages 18 to 24 roughly equals the national average. But that is not the case in 

many parts of the region. In 122 counties (86 of which lie outside metropolitan areas), persons in the 18-to-24 age 

group make up less than 7.5 percent of the population, suggesting a possible lack of opportunities for youth making 

the transition to adulthood. In contrast, the young adult population exceeds 15 percent in several counties that house 

colleges and universities.
10

Figure 2.3: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Ages 25 to 64, 2010

In both the United States and Appalachia, adults in the prime working ages (ages 25 to 64) make up a slight majority 

of all residents. In more than half of Appalachian counties, the percentage of persons in this age group exceeds the 

national average. But there are a handful of counties (mostly outside metropolitan areas) where 25- to 64-year-olds 

actually make up less than half of the population.
11

Figure 2.4: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region Ages 65 and Over, 2010

The Appalachian region—as well as 373 of its 420 counties—has a larger proportion of residents ages 65 and older 

than does the nation as a whole. In fact, older persons make up at least 15 percent of the population in three-fourths 

of Appalachia’s counties. Most of the counties with older population shares below the national average either house 

colleges and universities or had growth rates that exceeded the national average.
12

Figure 2.5: Median Age of Persons in the Appalachian Region, 2010

On average, the Appalachian population is older than that of the United States as a whole—more than two years 

older. In fact, the median age of the population (the point at which half the population is older and half is younger) is at 

least 40 years in two-thirds of the region’s counties. In one in 10 Appalachian counties, the median age is at least 45 

years. Most of the relatively few counties with populations younger than the national average are in southern 

Appalachia.
13

CHAPTER 3: RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN

Table 3.1: Population in the Appalachian Region by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2010

Population by Race and Hispanic Origin 

Total 

Population, 

2010 

Percent of Population

White Alone, 

Not Hispanic 

Minority

Total Black Alone, 

Not Hispanic 

Hispanic or 

Latino

Other, Not 

Hispanic

United States 308,745,538 63.7 36.3 12.2 16.3 7.7

Appalachian Region 25,243,456 83.6 16.4 9.1 4.2 3.1

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 8,384,817 89.6 10.4 5.1 2.4 2.9

North Central Appalachia 2,423,126 93.4 6.6 3.0 1.2 2.4

Central Appalachia 1,918,473 95.4 4.6 1.8 1.3 1.5

South Central Appalachia 4,718,420 85.6 14.4 6.9 4.6 2.9

Southern Appalachia 7,798,620 70.0 30.0 18.4 7.6 4.0

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 5,772,098 74.8 25.2 14.8 5.8 4.6

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 10,187,442 83.2 16.8 9.1 4.6 3.1

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 1,696,846 88.7 11.3 4.9 4.0 2.5

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 5,046,795 90.1 9.9 4.8 3.0 2.1

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 2,540,275 89.0 11.0 7.8 1.7 1.6

Alabama 4,779,736 67.0 33.0 26.0 3.9 3.0

Appalachian Alabama 3,064,522 71.0 29.0 21.7 4.4 2.9

Non-Appalachian Alabama 1,715,214 59.9 40.1 33.8 3.0 3.3

Georgia 9,687,653 55.9 44.1 30.0 8.8 5.3

Appalachian Georgia 2,933,432 68.2 31.8 13.1 12.7 6.0

Non-Appalachian Georgia 6,754,221 50.5 49.5 37.4 7.1 4.9

Kentucky 4,339,367 86.3 13.7 7.7 3.1 2.9

Appalachian Kentucky 1,184,278 95.4 4.6 1.7 1.3 1.5

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 3,155,089 82.9 17.1 9.9 3.7 3.5

Maryland 5,773,552 54.7 45.3 29.0 8.2 8.2

Appalachian Maryland 252,614 86.4 13.6 8.0 2.5 3.1

Non-Appalachian Maryland 5,520,938 53.2 46.8 30.0 8.4 8.4

Mississippi 2,967,297 58.0 42.0 36.9 2.7 2.4

Appalachian Mississippi 629,169 64.8 35.2 31.3 2.3 1.6

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 2,338,128 56.2 43.8 38.4 2.9 2.6

New York 19,378,102 58.3 41.7 14.4 17.6 9.7

Appalachian New York 1,066,421 90.1 9.9 2.6 3.0 4.3

Non-Appalachian New York 18,311,681 56.5 43.5 15.1 18.5 10.0

North Carolina 9,535,483 65.3 34.7 21.2 8.4 5.2

Appalachian North Carolina 1,698,908 81.3 18.7 8.6 6.9 3.3

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 7,836,575 61.8 38.2 23.9 8.7 5.6

Ohio 11,536,504 81.1 18.9 12.0 3.1 3.8

Appalachian Ohio 2,042,040 91.8 8.2 4.3 1.6 2.3

Non-Appalachian Ohio 9,494,464 78.8 21.2 13.7 3.4 4.1

Pennsylvania 12,702,379 79.5 20.5 10.4 5.7 4.4

Appalachian Pennsylvania 5,792,195 89.5 10.5 5.3 2.4 2.7

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 6,910,184 71.0 29.0 14.7 8.4 5.8

South Carolina 4,625,364 64.1 35.9 27.7 5.1 3.2

Appalachian South Carolina 1,171,497 74.5 25.5 16.5 5.8 3.3

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 3,453,867 60.5 39.5 31.5 4.9 3.1

Tennessee 6,346,105 75.6 24.4 16.5 4.6 3.2

Appalachian Tennessee 2,785,342 88.8 11.2 5.3 3.3 2.6

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 3,560,763 65.4 34.6 25.3 5.6 3.8

Virginia 8,001,024 64.8 35.2 19.0 7.9 8.2

Appalachian Virginia 770,044 90.4 9.6 5.2 1.9 2.4

Non-Appalachian Virginia 7,230,980 62.1 37.9 20.5 8.5 8.9

West Virginia (entire state) 1,852,994 93.2 6.8 3.4 1.2 2.3

“Other” includes these racial groups: (a) American Indian and Alaska Native alone; (b) Asian alone; (c) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 

alone; (d) Some other race alone; and (e) Two or more races. Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census.
14

Table 3.2: Population Change in the Appalachian Region by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2000-2010

Change by Race and Hispanic Origin 

Percent Change, 2000-2010

White Alone, 

Not Hispanic 

Minority

Total Black Alone, 

Not Hispanic 

Hispanic or 

Latino

Other, Not 

Hispanic

United States 1.2 28.8 11.0 43.0 34.9

Appalachian Region 1.8 42.1 18.1 120.6 60.9

Subregions 

Northern Appalachia -3.7 34.4 11.5 97.0 49.7

North Central Appalachia 2.9 32.0 11.5 81.5 45.0

Central Appalachia 0.6 30.2 8.2 72.8 35.4

South Central Appalachia 6.1 38.4 7.8 117.9 53.4

Southern Appalachia 6.9 47.7 23.6 136.6 82.2

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 1.5 59.9 34.7 154.8 84.8

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 2.7 38.4 13.5 115.7 55.6

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 0.6 44.7 22.0 85.0 47.4

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 1.8 28.2 0.2 103.6 44.2

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 0.2 15.4 3.8 84.1 36.6

Alabama 2.5 19.2 8.2 144.8 52.3

Appalachian Alabama 2.8 23.5 9.6 148.0 52.7

Non-Appalachian Alabama 2.0 14.1 6.7 136.6 51.7

Georgia 5.6 39.8 24.8 96.1 74.9

Appalachian Georgia 13.0 113.6 99.3 133.6 108.5

Non-Appalachian Georgia 1.7 27.5 18.1 74.5 61.2

Kentucky 3.8 36.9 13.4 121.6 59.4

Appalachian Kentucky 0.9 33.0 9.6 76.8 36.9

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 5.1 37.3 13.7 129.5 63.8

Maryland -3.9 30.1 14.3 106.5 48.4

Appalachian Maryland 0.9 68.1 41.1 182.1 99.6

Non-Appalachian Maryland -4.3 29.7 14.0 105.7 47.7

Mississippi -0.3 11.5 6.3 105.9 43.7

Appalachian Mississippi -0.2 7.1 2.4 89.6 45.8

Non-Appalachian Mississippi -0.4 12.5 7.2 109.8 43.4

New York -3.9 11.9 -1.0 19.2 22.0

Appalachian New York -3.3 33.6 17.7 52.9 32.6

Non-Appalachian New York -3.9 11.7 -1.2 18.9 21.8

North Carolina 10.2 37.9 17.2 111.1 63.9

Appalachian North Carolina 6.2 40.8 9.6 107.0 52.4

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 11.4 37.6 17.8 111.9 65.5

Ohio -1.9 20.0 7.6 63.4 41.1

Appalachian Ohio -1.0 13.5 -4.1 51.7 37.4

Non-Appalachian Ohio -2.1 20.5 8.5 64.6 41.5

Pennsylvania -2.2 33.1 10.4 82.6 54.9

Appalachian Pennsylvania -3.7 39.7 14.4 121.8 56.4

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania -0.6 31.3 9.2 75.3 54.4

South Carolina 11.7 22.3 8.6 147.9 70.5

Appalachian South Carolina 8.3 34.2 11.8 144.2 71.0

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 13.2 19.9 8.1 149.4 70.4

Tennessee 6.5 30.6 13.1 134.2 56.8

Appalachian Tennessee 7.0 42.9 10.4 144.6 55.1

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 6.1 27.8 13.5 129.7 57.7

Virginia 4.4 33.2 10.7 91.7 61.9

Appalachian Virginia 0.2 16.6 -2.0 61.8 44.0

Non-Appalachian Virginia 5.1 33.7 11.1 92.6 62.5

West Virginia (entire state) 1.0 28.8 9.3 81.4 44.7

“Other” includes these racial groups: (a) American Indian and Alaska Native alone; (b) Asian alone; (c) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 

alone; (d) Some other race alone; and (e) Two or more races.

Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2010 Decennial Censuses.
15

Figure 3.1: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region That Is Minority, 2010

The Appalachian region is significantly less racially and ethnically diverse than the United States as a whole, and 

most parts of the region are far below the national average. In two-thirds of Appalachian counties, minorities (defined 

as anyone who identifies with a racial or ethnic group other than “white alone, not Hispanic”) make up less than 10 

percent of the population. There were just 22 counties—almost exclusively in southern Appalachia—where minorities’ 

share of the population matched or exceeded the national average.
16

Figure 3.2: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region That Is Black Alone, not Hispanic, 2010

Although non-Hispanic African Americans remain the largest single minority group in Appalachia, their share of the 

region’s total population is still lower than it is in the United States as a whole. Within the region, the largest 

proportions are in southern Appalachia, which has nearly all of the 57 counties where blacks’ share of the population 

matches or exceeds the national average. At the other end of the spectrum, persons who are “black alone, not 

Hispanic” account for less than 5 percent of the residents in three-fourths of Appalachian counties. 
17

Figure 3.3: Percent of Population in the Appalachian Region That Is Hispanic or Latino, 2010

Although Hispanics have become the nation’s largest minority group, they make up only 1 in 25 residents in the

Appalachian region. The county patterns reflect this fact as well, as Hispanics are at least 5 percent of the population 

in just 58 of Appalachia’s 420 counties. Moreover, just three Appalachian counties (Gwinnett, Hall, and Whitfield—all 

in Georgia) had Latino population shares that matched or exceeded the national average.
18

Figure 3.4: Change in the Black Alone, not Hispanic Population in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

Between 2000 and 2010, the non-Hispanic African American population in the Appalachian region grew slightly faster 

than the national average. Many counties in the region grew even faster—nearly one-third increased their nonHispanic black populations by 25 percent or more, and the black population more than doubled in 48 counties. It is 

important to note that many—if not most—of these counties have small black populations, which would account for 

their large percentage increases. Also, black population growth was not universal, as slightly more than one-third of 

Appalachian counties lost African American residents during the 2000s. About half of these counties had suffered 

overall population declines over the decade. 
19

Figure 3.5: Change in the Hispanic or Latino Population in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

Appalachia’s Hispanic population more than doubled between 2000 and 2010—nearly triple the national rate of 

growth for this group. Indeed, Hispanic growth matched or exceeded the national average in more than 300 

Appalachian counties and more than doubled in 150 of them. It is important to note that virtually all of these counties 

have small Latino populations, which would account for their large percentage increases. And there were 34 

counties—largely in central Appalachia—where the Hispanic population actually declined during the past decade. In 

most of these counties, the Latino population declines simply mirrored what was happening among all residents. 
20

CHAPTER 4: HOUSING OCCUPANCY AND TENURE

Table 4.1: Occupancy and Tenure of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2010

Housing Occupancy and Tenure 

Total Number 

of Housing 

Units 

Number of 

Occupied 

Housing Units 

Percent of Total HUs Percent of Occupied HUs

Occupied Vacant OwnerOccupied 

RenterOccupied

United States 131,704,730 116,716,292 88.6 11.4 65.1 34.9

Appalachian Region 11,532,681 10,012,299 86.8 13.2 71.3 28.7

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 3,922,055 3,404,526 86.8 13.2 70.8 29.2

North Central Appalachia 1,116,988 973,185 87.1 12.9 72.6 27.4

Central Appalachia 883,348 765,191 86.6 13.4 73.8 26.2

South Central Appalachia 2,259,554 1,923,827 85.1 14.9 70.3 29.7

Southern Appalachia 3,350,736 2,945,570 87.9 12.1 71.3 28.7

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 2,495,868 2,244,499 89.9 10.1 71.6 28.4

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 4,572,289 4,078,144 89.2 10.8 69.3 30.7

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 790,018 663,712 84.0 16.0 72.2 27.8

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 2,436,790 2,011,433 82.5 17.5 73.4 26.6

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 1,237,716 1,014,511 82.0 18.0 73.7 26.3

Alabama 2,171,853 1,883,791 86.7 13.3 69.7 30.3

Appalachian Alabama 1,378,823 1,210,085 87.8 12.2 70.9 29.1

Non-Appalachian Alabama 793,030 673,706 85.0 15.0 67.6 32.4

Georgia 4,088,801 3,585,584 87.7 12.3 65.7 34.3

Appalachian Georgia 1,176,507 1,034,515 87.9 12.1 73.0 27.0

Non-Appalachian Georgia 2,912,294 2,551,069 87.6 12.4 62.7 37.3

Kentucky 1,927,164 1,719,965 89.2 10.8 68.7 31.3

Appalachian Kentucky 539,879 468,613 86.8 13.2 72.7 27.3

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 1,387,285 1,251,352 90.2 9.8 67.2 32.8

Maryland 2,378,814 2,156,411 90.7 9.3 67.5 32.5

Appalachian Maryland 112,979 96,921 85.8 14.2 68.0 32.0

Non-Appalachian Maryland 2,265,835 2,059,490 90.9 9.1 67.5 32.5

Mississippi 1,274,719 1,115,768 87.5 12.5 69.6 30.4

Appalachian Mississippi 278,538 243,941 87.6 12.4 70.4 29.6

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 996,181 871,827 87.5 12.5 69.4 30.6

New York 8,108,103 7,317,755 90.3 9.7 53.3 46.7

Appalachian New York 509,827 426,326 83.6 16.4 68.7 31.3

Non-Appalachian New York 7,598,276 6,891,429 90.7 9.3 52.3 47.7

North Carolina 4,327,528 3,745,155 86.5 13.5 66.7 33.3

Appalachian North Carolina 856,461 697,557 81.4 18.6 70.7 29.3

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 3,471,067 3,047,598 87.8 12.2 65.8 34.2

Ohio 5,127,508 4,603,435 89.8 10.2 67.6 32.4

Appalachian Ohio 905,588 803,533 88.7 11.3 72.0 28.0

Non-Appalachian Ohio 4,221,920 3,799,902 90.0 10.0 66.6 33.4

Pennsylvania 5,567,315 5,018,904 90.1 9.9 69.6 30.4

Appalachian Pennsylvania 2,720,638 2,368,053 87.0 13.0 71.0 29.0

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 2,846,677 2,650,851 93.1 6.9 68.3 31.7

South Carolina 2,137,683 1,801,181 84.3 15.7 69.3 30.7

Appalachian South Carolina 516,868 457,029 88.4 11.6 69.4 30.6

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 1,620,815 1,344,152 82.9 17.1 69.3 30.7

Tennessee 2,812,133 2,493,552 88.7 11.3 68.2 31.8

Appalachian Tennessee 1,289,316 1,125,621 87.3 12.7 70.7 29.3

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 1,522,817 1,367,931 89.8 10.2 66.1 33.9

Virginia 3,364,939 3,056,058 90.8 9.2 67.2 32.8

Appalachian Virginia 365,340 316,274 86.6 13.4 71.4 28.6

Non-Appalachian Virginia 2,999,599 2,739,784 91.3 8.7 66.8 33.2

West Virginia (entire state) 881,917 763,831 86.6 13.4 73.4 26.6

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census.
21

Table 4.2: Change in Occupancy and Tenure of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

Change in Housing Occupancy and Tenure 

Percent Change, 2000-2010

Total 

Housing 

Units 

Occupied 

Housing 

Units 

Vacant 

Housing 

Units

OwnerOccupied 

Housing 

Units 

RenterOccupied 

Housing 

Units

United States 13.6 10.7 43.8 8.8 14.2

Appalachian Region 10.5 7.7 32.4 4.5 16.7

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 3.7 1.9 17.1 -0.4 8.2

North Central Appalachia 6.8 5.6 15.4 3.0 13.3

Central Appalachia 4.6 2.5 20.5 -1.1 14.3

South Central Appalachia 15.4 10.6 53.8 6.5 21.6

Southern Appalachia 19.2 15.8 52.6 11.8 27.0

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 14.4 11.9 42.9 9.5 18.4

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 10.5 8.2 33.5 5.0 16.3

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 9.4 6.2 30.2 2.7 16.6

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 9.0 5.3 30.8 1.8 16.3

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 6.4 3.2 23.8 -0.8 16.1

Alabama 10.6 8.4 27.1 4.3 19.4

Appalachian Alabama 10.6 8.5 28.8 4.9 18.3

Non-Appalachian Alabama 10.6 8.4 24.8 3.2 21.1

Georgia 24.6 19.3 82.7 16.0 26.0

Appalachian Georgia 36.8 30.4 112.2 26.0 43.9

Non-Appalachian Georgia 20.3 15.3 73.3 11.8 21.6

Kentucky 10.1 8.1 29.3 5.0 15.8

Appalachian Kentucky 5.1 3.1 19.8 -0.8 15.4

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 12.1 10.1 34.9 7.5 15.9

Maryland 10.9 8.9 35.3 8.5 9.6

Appalachian Maryland 10.0 7.1 31.7 6.1 9.3

Non-Appalachian Maryland 10.9 8.9 35.5 8.6 9.6

Mississippi 9.7 6.6 37.6 2.7 17.0

Appalachian Mississippi 7.4 4.4 34.3 -1.3 21.1

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 10.4 7.3 38.5 3.8 16.0

New York 5.6 3.7 27.0 4.2 3.1

Appalachian New York 4.4 2.6 14.6 1.6 4.8

Non-Appalachian New York 5.7 3.8 28.6 4.5 3.0

North Carolina 22.8 19.6 48.6 15.0 30.0

Appalachian North Carolina 19.0 12.5 59.5 7.3 27.1

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 23.8 21.3 44.9 17.0 30.5

Ohio 7.2 3.5 55.4 1.3 8.7

Appalachian Ohio 4.9 2.1 34.2 -1.0 10.8

Non-Appalachian Ohio 7.7 3.9 61.5 1.8 8.3

Pennsylvania 6.0 5.1 16.0 2.5 11.4

Appalachian Pennsylvania 3.7 2.3 14.1 -0.2 8.9

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 8.4 7.7 19.6 5.2 13.5

South Carolina 21.9 17.4 53.1 12.7 29.6

Appalachian South Carolina 16.5 13.7 43.3 9.7 23.9

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 23.7 18.8 55.4 13.8 31.6

Tennessee 15.3 11.7 54.2 8.9 18.1

Appalachian Tennessee 14.0 10.2 50.3 6.7 19.5

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 16.3 12.9 58.7 10.9 17.1

Virginia 15.9 13.2 50.7 11.8 16.2

Appalachian Virginia 6.6 3.3 33.2 -0.6 14.6

Non-Appalachian Virginia 17.1 14.5 54.5 13.6 16.4

West Virginia (entire state) 4.4 3.7 9.2 1.3 11.0

Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2010 Decennial Censuses.
22

Figure 4.1: Percent of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region That Are Occupied, 2010

Although the home occupancy rate is slightly lower in Appalachia than in the United States as a whole, rates vary 

within the region. On one hand, 120 of the 420 Appalachian counties have occupancy rates that are at or above the 

national average. And while these counties are scattered through all parts of Appalachia, most are in metropolitan 

areas. Conversely, less than 80 percent of housing units are occupied in 83 Appalachian counties—all but nine of 

which lie outside metropolitan areas.
23

Figure 4.2: Percent of Housing Units in the Appalachian Region That Are Vacant, 2010

In Appalachia, 13.2 percent of housing units are vacant, which is nearly two percentage points above the national 

average of 11.4 percent. The vacancy rate varies within the region, however. While one-fifth of Appalachian counties

(nearly all in nonmetropolitan areas) have a vacancy rate exceeding 20 percent, another one-fourth of counties have 

vacancy rates below the national average. It is important to note that in some counties, many (if not most) of the 

vacant units are designed for seasonal or occasional use, suggesting significant recreational, resort, or retirement 

activity in the community. 
24

Figure 4.3: Percent Owner-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2010

Homeownership is more common in the Appalachian region than in the rest of the country. In 399 of the 420 counties, 

the share of owner-occupied housing units exceeds the national average. Indeed, in more than 200 counties, the 

homeownership rate is at least 75 percent. It is important to note that for some parts of the region, the high 

homeownership rates might be related to low levels of economic and residential mobility, the increase in the number 

and share of mobile homes among the housing stock, and to a lesser extent, the older age structure of the 

Appalachian population.
25

Figure 4.4: Percent Renter-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2010

The share of renter-occupied housing units is well below the national average throughout Appalachia; in fact, it is less 

than 25 percent in nearly half of the region’s counties. Among the 21 Appalachian counties where the share of renteroccupied units matches or exceeds the national average, most are either in a large urban area (e.g., Pittsburgh, 

Birmingham) or home to a college or university where students make up a fairly sizeable share of the population.
26

Figure 4.5: Percent Change in Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

The increase in the number of occupied housing units in Appalachia during the last decade was noticeably below the 

national average of nearly 11 percent. In 91 Appalachian counties, however, the increase in occupied units matched 

or exceeded the national average. Of these 91 counties, most were in southern and south central Appalachia; the 

Appalachian section of Georgia alone saw a 30 percent increase in occupied housing units between 2000 and 2010.

And there seems to be a correspondence between the growth in occupied units and population growth: 84 of these 91 

counties also experienced population growth above the national average. Similarly, 88 of the 96 Appalachian counties 

that experienced a decrease in occupied housing units also lost population over the decade. 
27

Figure 4.6: Percent Change in Vacant Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

The number of vacant housing units in Appalachia increased 32 percent between 2000 and 2010—well below the 

national average. Yet in 122 of the region’s counties, the increase in vacant housing units exceeded the national rate. 

The vast majority of these were in southern or south central Appalachia—particularly Georgia, North Carolina, and 

Tennessee. And just 15 of these 122 counties lost population during the 2000s, while in 61 others, the population 

actually grew faster than the national average. These patterns suggest an increase in the overall housing stock, and 

possibly some effects of the recession of the late 2000s. At the other end of the spectrum, the number of vacant units 

fell in 30 counties—mostly in northern and central Appalachia.
28

Figure 4.7: Percent Change in Owner-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

The number of owner-occupied housing units in Appalachia grew at about half the national average of 8.8 percent 

between 2000 and 2010. Yet in 69 of the region’s counties—mainly in southern and south central Appalachia—owneroccupied units grew at or above the national rate. And nearly all of these counties had population growth that 

surpassed the national average. Similarly, more than two-thirds of the 184 Appalachian counties where the number of 

owner-occupied units declined over the decade also lost population.
29

Figure 4.8: Percent Change in Renter-Occupied Housing Units in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2010

Within Appalachia, the pattern of change in renter-occupied housing units during the 2000s varied across geographic 

subregions. In the northern and north central counties, the increase was generally below the national rate, while in the

southern and south central counties, the increase tended to be above the national average. In 104 Appalachian 

counties (82 of which were in southern or south central Appalachia), the number of renter-occupied units grew by at 

least 25 percent. 
30

CHAPTER 5: EDUCATION 

Table 5.1: Educational Attainment of Persons Ages 25 and Over in the Appalachian Region, 2005-2009

Education (Highest Level Attained) 

Total 

Population 

Ages 25 and 

Over, 2005-

2009 

Percent of Population Ages 25 and Over

Less than 

High 

School 

Diploma 

High School Diploma or More

Total

H.S. Grad, No 

Postsecondary 

Degree 

Associate's 

Degree

Bachelor's 

Degree or 

More

United States 197,440,772 15.4 84.6 49.6 7.4 27.5

Appalachian Region 16,656,836 17.7 82.3 54.7 7.2 20.4

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 5,707,850 12.8 87.2 57.8 8.1 21.2

North Central Appalachia 1,604,195 17.5 82.5 59.3 6.1 17.1

Central Appalachia 1,308,038 28.9 71.1 53.6 5.5 11.9

South Central Appalachia 3,135,069 19.4 80.6 52.6 7.0 20.9

Southern Appalachia 4,901,684 19.5 80.5 51.1 6.9 22.5

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 3,789,594 12.9 87.1 52.0 7.7 27.4

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 6,670,958 16.6 83.4 54.3 7.3 21.9

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 1,117,077 18.6 81.4 58.7 7.1 15.5

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 3,373,700 21.2 78.8 57.3 6.9 14.6

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 1,705,507 25.7 74.3 54.5 6.1 13.7

Alabama 3,049,663 19.2 80.8 52.6 6.7 21.5

Appalachian Alabama 1,982,971 19.2 80.8 52.1 6.6 22.1

Non-Appalachian Alabama 1,066,692 19.1 80.9 53.4 7.0 20.5

Georgia 6,031,157 17.1 82.9 49.4 6.4 27.1

Appalachian Georgia 1,777,646 18.7 81.3 50.4 6.7 24.2

Non-Appalachian Georgia 4,253,511 16.3 83.7 49.0 6.3 28.4

Kentucky 2,825,618 19.7 80.3 53.8 6.5 20.0

Appalachian Kentucky 801,977 29.1 70.9 52.9 5.5 12.6

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 2,023,641 16.0 84.0 54.1 6.9 23.0

Maryland 3,738,604 12.5 87.5 46.1 6.3 35.2

Appalachian Maryland 167,987 16.3 83.7 58.7 7.7 17.3

Non-Appalachian Maryland 3,570,617 12.3 87.7 45.5 6.2 36.0

Mississippi 1,842,950 21.1 78.9 52.4 7.5 19.1

Appalachian Mississippi 394,781 25.0 75.0 52.3 6.9 15.8

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 1,448,169 20.0 80.0 52.4 7.6 20.0

New York 13,047,684 15.8 84.2 44.2 8.1 31.8

Appalachian New York 687,604 12.6 87.4 52.9 11.0 23.4

Non-Appalachian New York 12,360,080 16.0 84.0 43.8 8.0 32.3

North Carolina 5,940,248 17.0 83.0 49.0 8.2 25.8

Appalachian North Carolina 1,126,455 18.8 81.2 50.7 8.3 22.2

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 4,813,793 16.6 83.4 48.6 8.2 26.6

Ohio 7,671,550 13.2 86.8 56.1 7.1 23.6

Appalachian Ohio 1,365,325 16.4 83.6 61.9 6.8 14.9

Non-Appalachian Ohio 6,306,225 12.5 87.5 54.8 7.2 25.4

Pennsylvania 8,510,688 13.1 86.9 53.7 7.2 26.0

Appalachian Pennsylvania 3,976,113 12.2 87.8 57.5 8.0 22.4

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 4,534,575 14.0 86.0 50.4 6.5 29.1

South Carolina 2,915,965 17.8 82.2 50.6 8.2 23.5

Appalachian South Carolina 746,286 19.3 80.7 49.5 8.2 23.1

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 2,169,679 17.3 82.7 50.9 8.2 23.6

Tennessee 4,110,195 18.2 81.8 53.6 5.8 22.4

Appalachian Tennessee 1,860,990 20.4 79.6 54.3 5.8 19.5

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 2,249,205 16.4 83.6 53.0 5.8 24.8

Virginia 5,092,358 14.2 85.8 45.7 6.6 33.4

Appalachian Virginia 515,016 23.7 76.3 51.9 7.8 16.6

Non-Appalachian Virginia 4,577,342 13.2 86.8 45.0 6.5 35.3

West Virginia (entire state) 1,253,685 18.4 81.6 58.8 5.7 17.1

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
31

Figure 5.1: Percent of Persons Ages 25 and Over in the Appalachian Region With a High School Diploma or 

More, 2005-2009

Although the share of Appalachian adults with at least a high school diploma is slightly below the national average, it 

exceeds the national share in 93 counties in the region—two-thirds of them in northern Appalachia. Yet in 161 

counties, less than three-fourths of adults have completed high school, and nearly all of these counties are in central, 

south central, and southern Appalachia.
32

Figure 5.2: Percent of Persons Ages 25 and Over in the Appalachian Region With a Bachelor’s Degree or 

More, 2005-2009

In all but a handful of Appalachian counties, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or more is lower than the 

national average of 27.5 percent. In fact, in 349 of the region’s 420 counties, less than one-fifth of adults are 

graduates of a four-year college or university. And in 81 counties—mostly outside metropolitan areas and more than 

half in central Appalachia—fewer than one in 10 adults has at least a bachelor’s degree. Of the 20 counties where the 

share of college graduates matches or exceeds the national average, virtually all are either in large or fast-growing 

metropolitan areas, or home to a well-known college or university. Most of these counties also grew faster than the 

national average between 2000 and 2010.
33

CHAPTER 6: MIGRATION 

Table 6.1: Mobility Status of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region, 2005-2009

Mobility Status in the Last Year 

Total Population 

Ages 1 and Over, 

2005-2009 

Percent of Population Ages 1 and Over

Did Not 

Move in Past 

Year 

Moved from a Different Residence in the Past Year

Within the 

County 

Outside the County

 Within the 

State 

Outside the 

State

United States 297,355,080 83.8 16.2 9.6 6.6 3.4 3.2

Appalachian Region 24,382,754 85.5 14.5 8.4 6.1 3.5 2.7

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 8,225,187 86.9 13.1 7.9 5.2 3.1 2.1

North Central Appalachia 2,337,498 85.9 14.1 8.0 6.2 3.3 2.9

Central Appalachia 1,887,321 86.9 13.1 7.8 5.4 3.2 2.1

South Central Appalachia 4,528,337 84.7 15.3 8.7 6.7 3.6 3.1

Southern Appalachia 7,404,411 83.9 16.1 9.1 7.0 3.9 3.1

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 5,572,906 85.6 14.4 8.4 6.1 3.4 2.7

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 9,800,682 84.5 15.5 9.0 6.5 3.4 3.1

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 1,649,971 85.8 14.2 8.1 6.1 3.9 2.2

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 4,875,477 86.4 13.6 7.7 5.9 3.7 2.3

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 2,483,718 87.1 12.9 7.5 5.4 3.2 2.2

Alabama 4,573,443 83.9 16.1 9.6 6.6 3.3 3.2

Appalachian Alabama 2,934,265 84.0 16.0 9.7 6.4 3.6 2.8

Non-Appalachian Alabama 1,639,178 83.7 16.3 9.5 6.9 2.9 3.9

Georgia 9,355,788 81.7 18.3 9.1 9.2 5.2 4.1

Appalachian Georgia 2,746,504 83.7 16.3 8.3 8.0 4.7 3.3

Non-Appalachian Georgia 6,609,284 80.8 19.2 9.4 9.8 5.4 4.4

Kentucky 4,194,540 83.7 16.3 9.4 7.0 3.7 3.3

Appalachian Kentucky 1,173,395 85.9 14.1 8.3 5.8 3.5 2.2

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 3,021,145 82.8 17.2 9.8 7.5 3.8 3.7

Maryland 5,560,724 85.5 14.5 7.4 7.1 3.2 3.8

Appalachian Maryland 243,495 85.8 14.2 7.6 6.6 3.6 3.0

Non-Appalachian Maryland 5,317,229 85.5 14.5 7.4 7.1 3.2 3.9

Mississippi 2,879,762 83.7 16.3 9.2 7.1 4.1 3.1

Appalachian Mississippi 610,765 84.9 15.1 8.7 6.4 4.1 2.3

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 2,268,997 83.4 16.6 9.3 7.3 4.0 3.3

New York 19,183,125 88.3 11.7 7.0 4.7 2.6 2.2

Appalachian New York 1,042,308 84.4 15.6 8.8 6.7 4.2 2.6

Non-Appalachian New York 18,140,817 88.5 11.5 6.9 4.6 2.5 2.1

North Carolina 8,922,345 82.7 17.3 9.5 7.9 3.7 4.2

Appalachian North Carolina 1,612,437 85.9 14.1 8.1 6.1 3.2 2.9

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 7,309,908 81.9 18.1 9.8 8.3 3.8 4.5

Ohio 11,367,259 84.7 15.3 10.0 5.3 3.3 2.0

Appalachian Ohio 1,998,251 86.8 13.2 8.2 5.0 3.3 1.7

Non-Appalachian Ohio 9,369,008 84.2 15.8 10.4 5.4 3.3 2.0

Pennsylvania 12,372,806 87.2 12.8 7.6 5.2 2.8 2.4

Appalachian Pennsylvania 5,681,770 87.1 12.9 7.8 5.1 3.0 2.2

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 6,691,036 87.3 12.7 7.5 5.3 2.6 2.7

South Carolina 4,358,913 84.1 15.9 8.5 7.4 3.2 4.2

Appalachian South Carolina 1,112,877 83.3 16.7 10.1 6.6 3.1 3.5

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 3,246,036 84.4 15.6 7.9 7.7 3.3 4.4

Tennessee 6,075,824 83.3 16.7 10.2 6.5 3.1 3.4

Appalachian Tennessee 2,683,936 84.7 15.3 9.0 6.3 3.3 3.1

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 3,391,888 82.2 17.8 11.1 6.7 3.0 3.7

Virginia 7,619,716 83.3 16.7 6.9 9.8 5.3 4.5

Appalachian Virginia 750,665 84.3 15.7 7.5 8.1 5.1 3.0

Non-Appalachian Virginia 6,869,051 83.2 16.8 6.8 10.0 5.4 4.6

West Virginia (entire state) 1,792,086 87.0 13.0 7.3 5.7 2.5 3.2

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
34

Figure 6.1: Percent of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region Who Had Moved in the Past Year, 

2005-2009

While residential mobility in Appalachia was slightly below the national average, about one-sixth of the region’s 

counties buck the trend, as the percentage of residents who moved in the past year exceeded the U.S. average. Most 

of these counties are in southern or south central Appalachia, and about half grew faster than the national average 

between 2000 and 2010. In 79 counties, by contrast, less than 10 percent of residents had moved in the previous 12 

months; most of these were in northern, north central, and central Appalachia.
35

Figure 6.2: Percent of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region Who Had Migrated From Outside 

Their County of Residence in the Past Year, 2005-2009

Although people in Appalachia are slightly less likely to have migrated from outside their county of residence than 

Americans as a whole, residents in 130 of the region’s counties were more likely to have done so. These counties 

were scattered throughout the Appalachian region, yet less than half of them grew faster than the national average 

between 2000 and 2010. In 163 counties, less than 5 percent of the residents had migrated from another county—

most of these counties were outside metropolitan areas, and nearly half of them lost population over the decade. 
36

Figure 6.3: Percent of Persons Ages 1 and Over in the Appalachian Region Who Had Migrated From Outside 

Their State of Residence in the Past Year, 2005-2009

In 88 of Appalachia’s 420 counties, the share of persons who had migrated from outside their state of residence 

exceeded the national average of 3.2 percent. Most of these counties were in southern and south central Appalachia, 

and half grew at or above the national average during the 2000s. In 180 counties, however, less than 2 percent of 

people had come from out of state in the past year. Nearly all of these counties either lost population during the 

decade, or grew at a rate below the national average.