Between 1990 and 1994, more than 1.1 million net migrants moved into rural areas. Whatever the cause of the influx, rapid expansion more than about a 2-percent annual increase in population generally brings more harm than good. Communities can't seem to keep ahead of problems created by expansion in excess of this rate. Before one problem can be defined and solved, another arises, then another. They pile up and complicate one another.
Local leaders are overwhelmed.
Virtually every fast-expanding town plays out an unpleasant scenario. Townspeople accept almost any new proposal for expansion because they think it will maintain a healthy economy. More people move into the area and things look pretty good. But then the side effects begin to hit home. Newcomers often take the newly created jobs and bring increasing crime, social stress, and higher housing costs.