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overview
The Federal Government plays a major role in the U.S. economy through
its various spending and credit programs. ERS analyzes data provided
by the U.S. Census Bureau to examine the geographic distribution
of Federal funding programs. The focus is on funding received by
rural (nonmetropolitan) areas. Urban-rural differences, as well
as variations among different regions and types of rural counties,
are examined. Funding is also broken out by object (such as grants,
loans, and transfer payments) and by ERS' functional categories
(such as community resources, human resources, and income support
payments). We also use current budget information to indicate recent
changes in funding for selected individual programs.
contents
features
Federal Funding in Rural America: Who Gets What?—This September 2004
Amber Waves article summarizes important rural-urban differences in the
receipt of Federal funding, by program function and region. It emphasizes that, compared
with urban areas, rural areas receive more of some types of programs, and less of other types
of programs, and that significant regional differences exist.
Federal Funding
in Nonmetro Elderly Counties—Most counties with disproportionately
older populations are highly rural, farming counties in the country's
midsection. These places face significant challenges from small
and declining populations, as well as low incomes and tax bases.
Because of age-related income security payments and farm program
payments, these counties receive more Federal funds, per capita,
than other types of counties.
 The
2002 Farm Act reauthorizes many
rural development programs and credit programs for 5 years. The
Act provides funding for rural areas to undertake strategic planning,
feasibility assessments, and coordination activities with other
local, State, and Federal officials. Changes in credit programs
include waivers on eligibility time limits on Farm Service Agency
(FSA) direct and guaranteed farm operating loans. These loans can
be waived for a period of time, and more farmers can qualify for
FSA emergency loan financing. For more information on the provisions
and economic implications of the 2002 Farm Act as it pertains to
rural development, see Title
VI, rural development. For more information on the provisions
and economic implications of the 2002 Farm Act as it pertains to
rural credit programs, see Title
V, Credit.
Federal
Funding in the South: Bringing Home the Bacon, but Where's the Beef?
(an article published in the Review of Regional Studies,
Vol. 31(1), 2001) shows that the South receives more funding, per
capita, than the other three census regions. However, when the data
are broken down by program function, the South, and in particular
the nonmetro South, receives relatively less from regional and local
development programs. In addition, Federal spending in the region
tends to favor higher income areas, especially among metro areas.
recommended readings
Federal Funding
in the Delta in Rural America—Examines socioeconomic
conditions and trends in the Delta, along with the geographic distribution
of Federal funds in the region.
Federal Funding
in Appalachia and Its Three Subregions in Rural America—Examines
the geographic distribution of Federal funds in Appalachia, varying
by subregion.
Federal Funding
in the Black Belt—Examines the geographic distribution
of Federal funds in the Black Belt.
Which
Federal Programs Are Most Important for the Great Plains?—Examines
the geographic distribution of Federal funds in the Great Plains.
See all recommended readings...
recommended data products
Federal Funds Data, Fiscal Years 1998-2001—Federal
funds data newly updated to include fiscal years 1998-2001, consist
of 4 years of data, located in directories 1998, 1999, 2000, and
2001. Except for 1999, the data are in the form of SAS data sets.
Data include 16 data files, 16 SAS sample data extraction program
files, 4 text "read me" documentation files, and 4 data description
documentation files (one for each year). The Federal funds database
presents annual expenditures or obligations for each Federal program
and for each county and State. Data are screened for accuracy to
the county level and then aggregated by function and type of program,
and by type of county, State, and region. The data include Federal
expenditures and obligations for grants, salaries and wages, procurements,
direct payments, direct loans, guaranteed loans, and insurance.
Federal Funds Data,
Fiscal Years 1994-1997—Consists of 4 years of data, located
in directories 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. Directories include 4
raw data files in ASCII format, 4 SAS sample data extraction program
files, 4 ASCII documentation files (one for each raw file), 3 Lotus
1-2-3 worksheet (.wk3) data files and 2 Lotus documentation files.
Documentation file is for all years. A readme.txt file has detailed
description of the data.
recent research developments
Our most recent analysis, covering data for fiscal year 2001, provides
information on Federal funding, per capita, for all Federal programs
for which we have accurate county level data, and for the various
functional and object categories of Federal programs.
related
briefing rooms
related links
U.S. Census Bureau—The source of our Federal funds data is the
Census Bureau' Consolidated Federal Funds Reports data.
The Budget of the
United States Government—Provides information on proposed
and past budget levels for Federal programs, from the Office of
Management and Budget.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance—Provides detailed information on individual
Federal programs.
See all related links…
maps and images gallery
U.S. county maps of Federal funding
per capita, broken down by major function
U.S. county maps for selected
programs
See more maps and images in
Rural America at a Glance
for more information, contact:
Sam Calhoun, Faqir
Singh Bagi, or Rick Reeder
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov
page updated: September 15, 2004
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