the Appalachian Regional Commission. Executive Summary

report presents an analysis of the changes in the number of distressed counties in Appalachia and the entire United States for the census years 1960, 1970, 1980, and 1990 based on the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) current distress measure. Distressed counties are those with poverty and unemployment rates one and a half times the national rates and with per capita incomes that are two-thirds or less than the national rate. The findings fill a critical gap in the research on Appalachia by identifying the number of distressed counties in Appalachia prior to the inception of the ARC, as well as throughout much of the ARC's existence. Furthermore, by determining the total number of distressed counties in the entire United States, this research provides a benchmark for socioeconomic conditions in Appalachia relative to the rest of the nation. Second, this report identifies macroeconomic and regional trends that are associated with both distress and improvement in Appalachia as well as the entire United States from 1960 to 1990. Third, this report analyzes the socioeconomic factors that are associated wit