To explore the degree of upward social and occupational mobility which could be expected from residents of rural economically depressed areas under existing circumstances, interviews were conducted with a random sample of 85 families from an economically depressed county and 30 severely disadvantaged families. Some findings were: (1) The majority of families associated themselves with the middle-working and working classes, (2) Higher status social classes were not represented in the disadvantaged areas, (3) Higher social classes and high-ability youth and adults have left the areas, (4) Out-migration of disadvantaged families has created a serious problem for urban areas, (5) Nearly 80 in every 100 occupations in the area tended to fall below the middle occupational status on the hierarchy scale, (6) A large proportion of the severely disadvantaged families associate primarily with those in the lowest social class, and (8) The families held very positive values toward work. It was recommended that business, industry, and education join forces in a planned, systematic attack on economic and social problems. Other reports of this series are available as VT 007 127 and VT 007 125. (DM)