Rural-urban differences in childcare subsidy use and employment stability

Local economic disparities, particularly lower average wages, higher overall unemployment rates and higher poverty rates may lead to rural-urban differences in the use of public programs designed to support working low-income families. This study analyzes the dynamics of program participation and employment stability for rural and urban families in the Oregon childcare subsidy program. While families' demographic characteristics, employment stability, and participation in work support programs were similar, families in rural noncore counties tended to make less use of public assistance, including childcare subsidies, food stamps and welfare, than did families in metropolitan and micropolitan counties.