This document summarizes a study on rural workforce movers and telecommuters. It finds that 21% of rural households have someone who telecommutes. Telecommuters are more likely to be married, have larger households, and higher incomes. Respondents moved for slower pace of life, safety, and lower costs. However, many noted poor broadband access as a challenge to remaining in their communities or telecommuting. The study aims to help communities understand and attract telecommuters.

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Rural Workforce Movers:
Telecommuters
Benjamin Winchester
Rural Sociologist
Extension Center for Community Vitality

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The Rural Narrative
Simpler pace of life
Safety and Security
Low Housing Cost
Source: 2020 University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality. Rural workforce
movers study. Funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

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Age Group
% of All
Movers*
% All Survey
Respondents
% Workforce
Respondents
18 - 24 8% 2% 2%
25 - 29 14% 8% 13%
30 - 34 12% 11% 18%
35 - 39 11% 11% 18%
40 - 44 10% 7% 11%
45 - 49 8% 6% 10%
50 - 54 8% 7% 12%
55 - 59 8% 9% 14%
60 - 64 6% 9%
65 - 69 4% 11%
70 - 74 3% 8%
75 + 7% 12%
* InfoUSA

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HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
Question: Do you typically telecommute or work remotely for a company not located
in your region? (of those in workforce)
Respondent 14%
Spouse 16%
21% of Households have a member that telecommutes!
Source: 2020 University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality. Rural workforce
movers study. Funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

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HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
Marital Status All T.C.
Married 68% 79%
Cohabitating 8% 5%
Divorced or Separated 13% 11%
Widowed 1% -
Never Married 11% 5%
Size of
Household
ALL T.C.
1 17% 5%
2 46% 39%
3 13% 20%
4 13% 23%
5 7% 11%
6+ 3% 2% Years in
Previous
Community
ALL T.C.
0 – 5 years 40% 30%
6 – 10 years 23% 30%
11 – 20 years 19% 17%
21 – 50 years 18% 22%
T.C. = Telecommuter Household

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Housing
Tenure
ALL T.C.
Own 82% 87%
Rent 18% 13%
2018 Household
Income
ALL T.C.
< $25,000 8% 7%
$25,000 - $49,999 18% 14%
$50,000 - $74,999 24% 22%
> $75,000 51% 57%
ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Employment Status ALL T.C.
Employed 92% 95%
Unemployed 3% 4%
Out of labor force 5% 2%

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Newcomers: Who?
ALL T.C.
Moved primarily for a job 31% 28%
Lived in the community before 25% 25%
Have children in household 47% 46%
Household income >$50k 75% 79%
Source: 2020 University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality. Rural workforce
movers study. Funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

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ALL T.C.
Take advantage of the slower pace of life 71 73
To live closer to relatives 70 80
To find a less congested place to live 69 71
To live among people with similar values 68 72
To find lower priced housing 67 66
To find a safer place to live 67 68
To live in a smaller community 66 70
To find a lower cost of living 65 63
To find a good environment for raising
children 65 64
To find a job that allowed a better work-life
balance 61 57
To find a job that matches my skills 60 47
To take on a new job 58 53
To find a higher paying job 56 48
To live closer to friends 50 52
To find higher quality schools 49 46
Move Factors with
Preference
Proportion of
households that
indicated it was
important in some way.
Source: 2020 University of
Minnesota Extension Center
for Community Vitality. Rural
workforce movers study.
Funded by the U. S.
Department of Agriculture.

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Community Ratings Overall% T.C.%
I feel safe in this community. 94% 92%
Overall, I am satisfied with living in this community. 88 85
I trust the people living in this community. 86 82
The schools in this community are of high quality. 84 84
There is satisfactory health care available in this
region. 82 80
Five years from now I will most likely still live in this
community. 79 78
This region offers many natural amenities and
recreational opportunities for residents. 79 78
I can fully use my existing skills, education and
training in this community. 78 72
I can find activities in this region that are interesting
to me. 78 79
This community is welcoming of new residents. 77 78
I am satisfied with my social life in this community. 74 72

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Community Ratings Overall% T.C.%
This region has taken steps to increase the use of natural
amenities and recreational opportunities for residents
and visitors. 74% 71%
It is easy to make friends in this community. 73 68
I trust local government officials to do what is right. 72 73
There are opportunities to access adult education and
professional development in this region. 71 71
I can find the goods and services that I need to purchase
in this region. 69 71
In general, the housing in this community is of high
quality. 66 68
There are enough economic opportunities in this region
so that anyone who wants to work can find a job. 66 67
I believe that the economy of this region will grow
stronger in the next five years. 65 64
It is easy to find housing in this community that is
affordable for my household. 57 59
I am satisfied with my broadband options in this
community. 55 63

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THE COMMUNITY IS
WELCOMING OF NEW
RESIDENTS
Minnesota 77%
Telecommuters 78%
Source: 2020 University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality. Rural workforce
movers study. Funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
How do we “see” telecommuters when they don’t walk into a large
employer office or necessarily need help from your ED folks?

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THE COMMUNITY IS WELCOMING OF NEW
RESIDENTS BY THOSE LIKELY TO STILL LIVE IN
COMMUNITY IN 5 YEARS
The Community is
Welcoming
ALL T.C.
Strongly agree 86% 92
Agree 77% 84
Disagree 68% 44
Strongly Disagree 44% 45
Still need community…

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There are no internet options other than
satellite or 4G which makes it tough to stay
up to date with technology out here.
We love it here, and our only complaints are
internet/broadband access, having to pay for over
the air TV if we wanted it (this is insane, and is
free everywhere else I have ever been), proximity
to an airport and restaurant choices. It would be
tough to get things if it wasn't for Amazon and
online shopping. The people are nice, but they are
not the most welcoming of outsiders. We love
living in a rural area, but we know it would be
tough for some people to adjust to.

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Broadband availability and cell service are
nonexistent/horrible in my area. Couldn't
telecommute even if I wanted too.
The pricing of broadband in our area is
high versus major city. [COMPANY NAME]
obtained federal funding for expansion in
rural communities, yet we pay more than
alternatives available…

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https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publicatio
ns/trends/september-2021/greater-
minnesota.jsp
Greater Minnesota's Resident
Recruitment Advantage

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benw@umn.edu
Brain Gain Landing Page
http://z.umn.edu/braingain/
Reddit: Rural By Choice
/r/ruralbychoice
Twitter: @GrokRural