The Rural Brain Drain
The Phenomenon That Is Reshaping Rural America
The phrase “Rural Brain Drain” originated from a book called Hollowing Out the Middle, which looked at the effect that adults were having in their community by preparing their best and brightest to be shipped off to colleges and universities, sometimes never to return.
Many outlets have since looked into this phenomenon, which, in some ways, is counter-productive to the life of a small town. It can impact the demographics that you see in a community quickly, sometimes as quickly as in a decade.
The Gone Generation
The Southern Illinoisan Newspaper did a series looking at the students that leave small communities in that region. The article points out that we are training our best and brightest to leave, and reaping the benefits elsewhere.
The USDA Economic Research Service reports that the number of rural people between ages 15 and 64 has fallen from over 30 million in 2010 to 28 million in 2023. That is a loss of 2 million working-age adults in just 13 years.
When young people leave, the tax base shrinks. Schools consolidate. Businesses close. The remaining population ages. And the cycle continues.
Why They Leave
Young people leave rural areas for education, employment, culture, and lack of opportunity. Many rural areas do not have colleges or universities. Job opportunities are limited. And some young people simply want a different life.
What Churches Can Do
Churches cannot stop the outmigration. But they can create reasons for young people to stay — or to return.
Invest in young people. Mentor them. Train them. Give them opportunities to lead. Create community. Support local businesses. And pray.
Lifeway Research found that 63 percent of rural pastors say they feel called to ministry to their specific church. That calling often brings people back to their hometowns. The question is whether the church will be ready to receive them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we keep young people in our community?
You cannot force them to stay. But you can create a community worth staying for. Invest in young people. Create opportunities. And pray.
Is the rural brain drain reversible?
It is difficult. But not impossible. Some rural areas are experiencing a resurgence as remote work makes it possible to live anywhere.
Where can we find resources for rural church growth?
MinistryPlace.net offers church leadership resources. The Rural Church Institute has research on rural church growth.
Brent Lacy has spent over 25 years in small-town and rural ministry. He has watched young people leave and has prayed for their return.
Rural ministry is different. Your resources should be too.
MinistryPlace.net exists to serve small and rural church leaders with free and low-cost resources — curriculum, toolkits, and practical guides that help you build God’s kingdom in your community without the big-church budget.