Published monthly, Story Behind the Numbers articles explore the North Central Region by delving into regional and national databases on a variety of topics  – providing another way to see and understand our region.
An open sign that is painted on an old can sitting on a chair on the sidewalk.

What makes rural entrepreneurs stay? Social and economic characteristics of in-migrants and locals / Research Brief

Posted on January 21st, 2026

By Zuzana Bednarik, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development 1       Introduction Rural communities face ongoing challenges related to population…
Home construction working shown standing in the roof frame of a house.

Rural Small Businesses in the North Central Region: Workforce Development

Posted on December 16th, 2025

By Renee D. Wiatt, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Workforce development challenges are reshaping rural businesses and the…
man fixing a bike in a bike shop

Trends for Rural Small Businesses in the North Central Region: Owner and Small Business Demographics

Posted on July 7th, 2025

By Renee D. Wiatt, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Small businesses are critical to their rural communities. Often…
male and female worker standing behind the counter of baked goods

Partners in Business, Partners in Life: A Snapshot of Couple Businesses in the North Central Region

Posted on July 1st, 2025

By DeAndre Malone, Jr., North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Introduction Starting a business is an exciting venture that…
illustration of a group of people standing on a pie chart.

Review of Business Owner Demographics in the North Central Region

Posted on December 10th, 2024

Olivia Williams, Michael D. Wilcox, Jr., and Renee D. Wiatt, Purdue University and North Central Regional Center for Rural Development…
caregiver with arm around an elderly woman

What do caregivers in the North Central Region use for support and what support do they still need? / Research Snapshot

Posted on October 4th, 2024

Emily Southard, Pennsylvania State University, Florence Becot, Pennsylvania State University, Shoshanah Inwood, The Ohio State University, and Elena Pojman Pennsylvania…
African American father giving his child a bath

The landscape of childcare time burden in the North Central Region, Research Snapshot

Posted on September 19th, 2024

Ivanna Carrillo-Siller, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development 1       Introduction The importance of childcare in the well-being…
mother caring for a child \in a wheelchair

Variations in caregivers’ health and well-being in the North Central Region / Research Snapshot

Posted on August 29th, 2024

Elena Pojman, Pennsylvania State University, Florence Becot, Pennsylvania State University, and Shoshanah Inwood, The Ohio State University Caregiving can be…
image of a man taking a test in a classroom

The relationship between education and happiness: Findings from the North Central and Northeast Regions / Research Brief

Posted on July 31st, 2024

Zuzana Bednarik, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Abstract This paper analyzes how education and other demographic characteristics are…
Daughter holds a spoon in front of elderly mother to help her eat soup.

The economic and social well-being of caregivers in the North Central Region / Research Snapshot

Posted on July 10th, 2024

Florence Becot, Pennsylvania State University and Shoshanah Inwood, The Ohio State University Caregiving is a common experience Almost four in…
Older woman with gray selecting a yellow pepper in a grocery store. Text reads, "Research Brief"

The impact of food sufficiency on the health status: The case of households in the North Central Region / Research Brief

Posted on July 5th, 2024

Antara Chowdhury, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, Purdue University Abstract Food sufficiency is positively associated with self-evaluated health…
Image of a family of hands of different again wrapped around each other. Wording on the banner reads, "Research Brief"

The Age-Dependency Ratio in the North Central Region: Implications for Regional and Community Development / Research Brief

Posted on January 18th, 2024

Roberto Gallardo, Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics Department, Purdue University Background The federal government invests in place-based policies, such as the…
Areal view of a rural community in the North Central Region.

The impact of health disparities on the subjective well-being in rural communities / Research Brief

Posted on December 15th, 2023

By Zuzana Bednarik Executive Summary The relationship between the place where people live, their health, and subjective well-being represents a…
African Woman Video Conference Business Call

How COVID-19 Changed Workforce Participation Preferences in the North Central Region

Posted on September 18th, 2023

By Ivanna Carrillo-Siller Workplace preferences before and after the COVID-19 pandemic As the world began to shut down at the…
view of the outside of a hospital with a sign pointing to the Emergency entrance.

Unraveling Local Living: A Peek into the Diverse Preferences of Family Households with and without Children

Posted on September 18th, 2023

By Alejandra Armesto Gómez The significance of certain amenities within the local community cannot be overstated. Beyond the provision of…

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