Census Reports Adams County Growth Despite Rural Exodus

Adams County and all of its communities, Hastings, Roseland, Kenesaw, Juniata, Holstein and Ayr have consistently shown population growth over the past 10 years while more rural counties and communities in the Blue Hill area continue to show population declines according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Adams County's population growth is unique in that the growth extends to the outlying communities. Buffalo and Hall counties have also experienced population growth, but their growth is concentrated in Kearney and Grand Island respectively, with little or no growth throughout the rest of the county. More rural counties, such as Webster, Clay, Nuckolls and Franklin counties, and their communities continue to show population declines. Communities in our area have averaged a 15% decline in population, which for communites the size of Blue Hill, Red Cloud, Franklin, Harvard or Clay Center equates into the loss of 100 residents +/- for each community. What do you think rural communities can do to reverse population decline?