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For years, rural residents have wrung their hands about the loss of young people heading for the big city. University of Minnesota Extension research points to a more nuanced trend that is also identifiable in some places — the movement of people in their 30s and 40s from urban to rural areas.

Jobs can be difficult to find and transportation is an issue, but proximity to the outdoors, an improved environment for children, a sense of safety and a simpler pace of life draw some.

Ground Level Topics

'Brain Gain' :
People in 30s, 40s making the rural choice

The movement of people in their 30s and 40s into some rural areas that otherwise have declining populations has continued in recent years, a new University of Minnesota Extension study shows.

Your Stories: From urban to rural

We're gathering videos from people who have moved back to rural parts of Minnesota after leaving for school or work, or who have moved to rural Minnesota for the first time as adults.

from the Ground Level Blog

Coming home, more native than her parents

After two years at Bard College, Stearns County native Marna Macgregor is coming home. Her guest post for the Ground Level blog explores the mixed feelings she has about coming home.

Why move to rural Minnesota?

University of Minnesota Extension research shows people in their 30s and 40s continue to move to rural areas otherwise experiencing population declines. So we asked members of Public Insight Network to explain why.

Behind the "brain gain:" moving to a small town has its ups and downs

People who move to rural Minnesota from the city rave about the beauty and personal freedom, but the jobs picture proves more problematic.

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by the Bush Foundation.