A Current Overview of Fertility Rates in Appalachia

Fertility, the number of children born to women of childbearing age, is studied as a social process since it can be affected by the characteristics of people and the environments or contexts in which they live. Social and cultural changes, as well as economic circumstances can influence the number of children a parent wishes to have. As a largely rural region, with a history of economic challenges, Appalachia may have unique contexts for current fertility rates that are influenced by a number of factors, and rates may vary widely across the region. DeJong’s 1968 study examined fertility rates of the core 190 counties of central Appalachia, showing that over just one generation, fertility rates dramatically declined, reaching the national average or dropping below. However, there has not been a large-scale follow-up to this study. Using census data, this research seeks to provide an updated overview of fertility rates in the 420 counties of Appalachia (as designated by the ARC) and across five smaller sub-regions and clusters of counties within it. Understanding how Appalachian fertility rates compare to national rates can inform policy for family planning and healthcare, contribute to future workforce projections, and provide insight into an important aspect of Appalachian demographic research