The rural poor are more likely to be too young or too old to hold regular employment. The rural poor are more likely to lack transportation resources to employment sites. The rural poor are more likely to not have access to health care services. The rural poor are more likely to be under-educated. There are significantly large regional areas with high and persistent levels of rural poverty including Appalachia, the Old Cotton Belt, the Mississippi Delta, Native American reservations and lands, and the Rio Grande valley.
Rural poverty is likely to be multi-generational and characterized by fatalism and hopelessness.
Many of the rural poor are members of Baptist congregations. Many more are needed. Several associations in rural settings have sponsored food pantries, clothing closets and furniture warehousing as a resource for the poor and homeless. Realizing that much homelessness is the result of substance abuse, some associations are working to provide treatment for addictions. Realizing that much homelessness is the result of an inadequate economy, several associations are participating in community economic development.