Map

Vol. 3 2020-2021

Deaths of Despair Across America

The American Communities Project is undertaking a 30-month study of Deaths of Despair in its 15 community types.

Aging Farmlands

These counties are the oldest on average in the American Communities Project (ACP), with more than 24% over age 65, and the least diverse racial and ethnically. The Farmlands are 94% white and about 2% Hispanic. As may be expected, these counties are strongly Republican. In the last five presidential elections, they have not given less than 62% of their vote to a GOP candidate. Donald Trump won 74% of their vote in 2016.

Community Snapshot

There are 161 counties in this group set on the Great Plains, only about 3,500 people per county on average.

Roughly 569,000 people live in the Aging Farmlands. About 92% of them live in a rural area, according to the US Census. These areas experience low rates of higher education, only 19.6% have a college degree, compared to the national average of about 30%. Unemployment in the Aging Farmlands sits low at 3%. Though these areas are not prone to excessive drinking, the percentage of driving deaths involving alcohol is 33%, 14% higher than the national average.

Senior Population

23.9% age 65 and over

Vol. 3 2020-2021

Deaths of Despair Across America

The American Communities Project is undertaking a 30-month study of Deaths of Despair in its 15 community types.

Learn More

Aging Farmlands

Aging Farmlands

Community Snapshot

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Deaths of Despair Across America