ARC has released its 12th annual update of The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey. Written in partnership with Population Reference Bureau, “The Chartbook” features over 300,000 data points on Appalachia’s economy, income, employment, education, and more prior to–and during–the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2022 report indicates that Appalachia was improving in educational attainment, labor force participation, income levels, and reduced poverty prior to the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020. However, unique vulnerabilities among the region’s oldest, youngest, and most rural residents were likely exacerbated by the pandemic.
“Each year, The Chartbook provides critical data about the Appalachian Region, enabling policymakers and ARC partners to make data-driven economic development decisions. This particular report, however, may be one of the most critical to date,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin.