Information derived from the Federal Information Exchange System on Federal outlays in rural America (160 Federal programs) provides the basis for this initial annual report. Information is reported via narrative and tabular data and relates only to Federal assistance. Highlighting some of the recent rural socioeconomic trends, the narrative describes the following: the American scene today; population trends; employment changes; income differences; community assets; education; health; housing; electricity and telephone services; and the future of rural America. Narrative discussion of program availability includes reference to the following services: telephone; electricity; water; sewer; medical; educational; manpower; housing; small business, law enforcement, and food assistance; and income maintenance (excluding social security). Tabular data present the following: a 1970 preliminary estimate of population by state and area; a summary of selected program outlays by department or agency and by function for 1969 and 1970; and the 1970 outlays for selected programs by state and area for the departments of: Agriculture; Commerce; Health, Education, and Welfare; Housing and Urban Development; Interior; Law Enforcement Assistance; Labor; Economic Opportunity; and Small Business Administration. (JC)