Dramatic demographic and socioeconomic shifts have occurred in rural areas over the last decade, increasing poverty among America's rural population. Analysis of the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey indicates that outmigration from rural areas, which has grown steadily since 1980, reached almost 1,000,000 between 1986 to 1987. Those leaving in the largest numbers were young adults and the better educated, people most needed to revitalize rural economies. Between 1979 and 1986, real median family income fell by 10% in rural areas and less than 1% in urban areas. In 1986 rural unemployment exceeded urban unemployment by 26%, and the rural poverty rate was 18%, 50% higher than the urban rate. Hardest hit have been young adults and their children; a quarter of rural children were living in poverty in 1986. About 62% of poor rural adults and 54% of poor urban adults, aged 18 to 44, held a job at least part of 1986. Most of the rural poor did not receive cash assistance or food stamps, did not live in public housing, and were not eligible for Medicaid. About 80% of young rural adults had finished high school, and 13% had graduated from college, compared to 85% and 23% for young urban adults. However, rural/urban differences in educational attainment and the quality of educational systems do not explain differences in poverty rates. Some problems faced by young rural adult workers stem from changing demographics and the growth of low paying jobs in rural areas. Many observers feel that the problem of rural poverty requires federal intervention, such as tax relief, welfare reform, or new economic development strategies. (SV)