By Michael Kling
High unemployment rates can cause more damage to an economy than you may realize. When the unemployment rates rise, many people begin relocating to areas with more readily-available jobs. Unattached singles are especially prone to moving, but if jobs don't become more plentiful in major cities, even married couples with children think about hitting the road.
State by State
Rural areas and small towns often have some of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and New Hampshire report the lowest rural employment rates, although rural areas have also been hit by the recession.
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Among states, Wyoming came in second (3.1%), followed by North Dakota (3.2%), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BusinessWeek magazine lauded Bismarck, ND, in August for its 3.6% unemployment rate, the lowest in the country. The city, the magazine noted, is blessed with sizable government employment, four colleges and a booming wind energy business. However, low unemployment in rural towns can hide the fact that many rural natives are moving out due to lack of opportunities.
Before You Start Packing
If you're considering moving to a small town, think about its prospects for future employment growth as well as its quality of life. With that in mind, the following list ranks some of the best small town and rural places to live, based on prospects for future job growth and quality life issues, including education, crime rate, recreation and other factors.
- Louisville, Colorado - The town of 18,800 at the Rocky Mountain foothills impresses visitors with its historic downtown, summer street fairs and proximity to ski resorts and mountain trails. High tech, energy and health care industries keep unemployment down.
- Benton City, Washington - The area in Eastern Washington (pop 2,800) has some of the highest projected job growth in the country, and is one of the most educated rural areas in the nation.
- Chanhassen, Minnesota - An abundance of lakes and parks, a large arboretum and winter sports offer plenty to do, and unemployment is well under the national average.
- Papillion, Nebraska - Unemployment is just 4.5%, and crime is also low. The town is in the middle of a downtown revitalization, which includes building a performance arts center and AAA baseball stadium.
- Middleton, Wisconsin - This city boasts a stable economy, excellent schools and a large network of parks, bike paths and trails. A mixed use community inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and development for upscale stores and restaurants are underway.
- Greenacres, Washington - With a population of 7,112, it's a great place for families with children, has good public schools, large population of college-educated adults, and a high homeownership rate.
- Horse Creek, Wyoming - The unincorporated area in South Eastern Wyoming has a very low crime rate and is an easy drive to Cheyenne and Laramie, home of the University of Wyoming.
- Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (Mica and Rockford Bay) - The rural area around Coeur d'Alene boasts great fishing, wonderful scenery and a job market with strong potential.
Everybody has an opinion on the best rural places to live and the locations with the best job prospects, but lists like these can be a great starting point when planning your new home. Keep in mind that unemployment opportunities change as business close, and rural areas are not immune to the recession.
Next: Top 10 Best Cities for Jobs >>
Nov 11th 2009 @ 8:50PM jj
north port fl 38 percent
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Nov 12th 2009 @ 12:26AM popswuzrite
Portland, Oregon...not bi-lingual? No job.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 5:31PM Eric
So who paid for Coeur D'Alene to get on this list, seeing as the city is at 9.8 percent unemployment and rising and the surrounding area (Kootenai County, Bonner County) is at a combined 23 percent unemployment.
AOL is a joke.
Nov 13th 2009 @ 1:55PM Unemployed
All of the cities listed never had much of any jobs to begin with. So I really do not see the point of this article. They have low unemployment because they have always had low employment.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 2:16PM Robe
I was certain the overhead shot used for this AOL story was in Portland, Maine. Anyone take JetBlue flight from JFK airport in NY to Portland? The view looks identical approaching the airport.
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Nov 12th 2009 @ 2:37PM Lisa
The overhead view is of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:53PM Vicki
Yep good ol Cd'a IDAHO..AKA I Do Anything Hagadone Orders...I.D.A.H.O.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:24PM Mike
Hm. Coeur d'Alene is probably the most gorgeous place in North America (or at least a contender), but I don't think of it as a cornucopia of jobs. . . If it were, I'd have moved there years ago. I'd say the only worthwhile conclusion you can draw from this article is just what the author said: "low unemployment in rural towns can hide the fact that many rural natives are moving out due to lack of opportunities." Hasn't that been the case pretty much since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution?
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Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:41PM Carol
There are not a lot of jobs in CDA. Don't know who did the research for this article, but I am a voc consultant for the past 10 years in CDA and there is a strong decline in employjment opportunities. So if you are looking to move here and find a job, be aware that you usually have to be in the medical field or willing to work for $8 to $10 an hour. Or willing to drive to Spokane to find work.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:53PM Vicki
I live near Coeur d'Alene and I'd love to know where all the jobs are. My husbands employer had a crew of about 40 and now they are down to 4.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 2:45PM ORIGEN
no bi-lingual, no job; bad credit, no job; over 50, no "slave mentality" (I mean team player), no job: the list goes on...6.1 people for every job opening.
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Nov 12th 2009 @ 2:49PM guy
stay the hell away from north idaho,you are not wanted here.
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Nov 12th 2009 @ 2:59PM Gary JENKINS
Hell Idaho is nothing but faggotfornians already. Especially northern Idaho. I lived 45 years in southern and eastern Idaho and will never go back as it is one screwed up state with nothing but farmers and lawyers running the state and never in my life have I seen so many stupid high taxes and laws. I have been back lat year just to see my family and no more returning there for me.
Nov 19th 2009 @ 9:02PM socal native
as soon as the real estate market improves the rest of my extended family and i are moving to northern idaho CDA or Hayden maybe see you soon!!
Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:02PM al
why?
Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:03PM BILL
THIS IS JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO DO ... NOW EVERYONE WILL BE LOOKING FOR A WAY THERE JUST TO BUG YOU .. (WHOEVER YOU IS) ANYWAY PEOPLE WILL GO WHEREVER WORK IS LIKJE IT OR NOT. THANK AOL FOR USEING THE TOWN AS A PLACE TO WORK.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:41PM don
we will go there no matter what you say, so step aside slum bag.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 7:21PM l0b0chic0
Why in the H.E.L.L. would want to go there. It is full of insecure inbred idiots like you. That believe you have to be white to be American. Go kiss your sister mama cousin and get off of the p/c you are to ignorant to post.
Nov 12th 2009 @ 3:03PM Jane
I've lived in N ID for 11+ years and our unemployment rate is 11% and other than tourist/service/resort jobs ($5/hr.), I've seen NO opportunities. We have hundreds and hundreds out of work. Where do these stories come from?
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Nov 12th 2009 @ 6:56PM glenna
you are a move in, that is why you are broke, go home.