In rural counties, a higher percentage of adults have college degrees than in the past. But the increase has lagged in the South and West, while graduation rates have increased faster in the Northeast and the Midwest.

The broadband divide is much more than just who has a connection and who doesn't. In fact, the rural-urban gap is much wider in terms of choice of providers and speed than it is for a simple connection.

Since the beginning of the recession, rural counties have lost 1.2 million jobs. Only five states have registered increases in the number of rural jobs over the last three years.