Rural Population Density in the Southern Appalachians

Excerpts from the report: Density of population in its relation to the possibilities of existing natural resources and economic opportunities is one of the main elements in the economic and social structure of a region. Many of our social and economic institutions are directly or indirectly an outgrowth of, or at least strongly influenced by, population density. Certain aspects of land tenure and land use may be traced in part to population density; for example, types of land ownership, intent of land ownership, size of holdings, land values, intensity of land use, and type of farming. Population density will be reflected in the form and functions of the local government, in the need for public services, public utilities, religious and educational institutions, recreational opportunities, transportation and communication facilities, and in the kind and quantity of commodities needed