How Has Post-Pandemic Migration Impacted Rural Housing Markets?
Throughout much of the 2010s, rural parts of the U.S. saw a decline in population as residents migrated to larger city centers, but that trend reversed dramatically in 2021 through 2024 as homebuyers transitioned to remote or hybrid work models. According to a recent report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, rural areas gained a combined 430,000 people from 2021 to 2024 after suffering an aggregate population loss of 60,000 people from 2017 to 2020.
Migration into rural areas has offset natural population loss
The increase in homebuyers moving into rural parts of the U.S. during that time also has helped reverse the loss in overall population. Impacted by declining birth rates and other factors, rural areas were set to lose residents over the next few years. However, more recent migration trends were strong enough to completely offset natural population loss in three-quarters of all rural counties.
Despite these trends, migration into rural areas has not grown substantially since 2024
While rural areas of the U.S. saw a surge of homebuyers from 2021 to 2024, migration has since leveled off. This trend is especially true in the most rural counties, which typically see less buyer interest compared with rural counties that are on the outskirts of metro areas. Migration barely offset natural loss in these non-adjacent counties, putting them at higher risk of population loss in the near future.
Which rural areas have seen the strongest gains in population?
- 6 Rural Housing Markets Where Homebuyers Are Headed in 2025: Elevated home prices in 2024 caused homebuyers to head to more rural markets. The most popular rural markets included Bluffton, Ind.; Pittsburg, Kan.; and Boone, N.C.; among others.
- Young Adults Are Flocking to Small Towns: Young people especially have become interested in rural areas for their affordability. Counties that offer outdoor recreational opportunities are drawing in the most young adults.