Rural states in the Midwest and Northeast have disproportionately more older adults than other areas of the United States. Older adults scored lower on average than younger or middle aged adults. The average score for adults over age 65 was more than one level below the average score of adults from 40 to 54 years old. The more limited literacy skills of older adults may be partly explained because they on average have completed fewer years of school than their younger counterparts. Rural and farm populations also have a greater proportion of disabled persons.
Agriculture is one of the United States' most dangerous occupations.
Over 100,000 persons engaged in agricultural production become disabled each year. Other natural resource based industries, such as logging, coal mining, or meat packing, provide physically demanding and potentially debilitating jobs. Of the adults responding to The National Adult Literacy Survey, adults with disabilities had lower average literacy proficiencies than those without disabilities. Adults reporting hearing difficulties scored 25 to 29 points lower on each literacy scale than the population in general. The difference was greater for those reporting other types of disabilities, difficulties, or long-term illness.