WHICH THINK TANKS THINK ABOUT RURAL AMERICA?

This commentary spotlights how few national think tanks truly prioritize rural America, while highlighting the Economic Innovation Group’s recent work bringing “geographic inequality” into the policy conversation. EIG’s research reveals stark disparities in rural poverty, employment, demographics, and racial inequities, alongside the development of their Distressed Communities Index—an interactive tool mapping economic well-being by zip code across the nation. Such data underscores both the persistent challenges and the diverse realities of rural communities, from recreation-rich counties to deeply distressed regions. At Aspen CSG, we recognize the importance of evidence-based tools like these to sharpen understanding of rural distress and guide investments that create lasting opportunity and equity for rural people and places.