Rapoza Associations reports nearly 30 percent of all rural households, which covers some 7.3 million families, are either unaffordable, overcrowded or substandard. Over 47 percent of all rural households are spending more than 30 percent of the their income on rent, which classifies them as cost-burdened; and almost 50 percent of those households pay over 50 percent of their income on housing costs. While costs related to housing are typically less in rural areas, rates of poverty are more than the national average. HousingWire reports rural renters have median incomes of $25,833, 35 percent below that of the average rural resident and 48 percent less than the national median income. In addition, MHProNews has learned 96 of the country’s poorest counties are in rural communities.

(Photo credit: ruralpovertyareas)