The Social Security disability system began in 1957 as a way to help people too sick to work. By 2009 there was more than 9.6 million Americans counted as disabled. Rates of disability in rural America are 80 percent higher than in the cities.

Social Security payments aren't spread evenly across the U.S. In Sumter County, Florida, one out of four dollars in local personal income comes from Social Security. In some wealthy western resort counties, it's closer to one dollar out of 50.

Unemployment in rural counties continued to run at a higher rate than in either exurban or urban counties in March 2011. But rates everywhere are dropping.

Unemployment rates in exurban counties were higher than the national average early in 2010. Now, jobless rates in these counties are lower than in rural or urban counties.