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.
illustration of a group of diverse people all standing in profile.

How does the North Central Region perceive residents from different cultures and belief systems?

Posted on April 25th, 2023

By Alejandra Armesto Gómez In the 2022 NCR-Stat: Baseline Survey [1], the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD)…

How happy are people in the North Central Region?

Posted on April 17th, 2023

By Zuzana Bednarik, Ph.D. A better understanding of what makes people happy means identifying determinants of happiness. Research on happiness…
High school students taking test - see a woman's hand holding a pencil

Perception of Equal Access to Education in Communities of the North Central Region

Posted on March 22nd, 2023

By Ivanna Carrillo Siller In the 2022 NCR-Stat Baseline Survey [1], the NCRCRD examined people’s perception of diversity, equity, and…

Protecting Environment in the North Central Region

Posted on March 14th, 2023

By Antara Chowdhury The 2022 NCR-Stat: Baseline Survey [1] includes two questions related to environmental protection. Survey participants in the…
African psychologist put hand on shoulder of addicted man (close up rear view) supporting him. Diverse people gathered at rehab group, psychological assistance drugs alcohol addiction treatment concept

Community awareness of substance use disorder programs in the North Central Region

Posted on February 22nd, 2023

By Zuzana Bednarik, Ph.D. Substance abuse includes underage drinking, alcohol dependency, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications,…
Distressed woman with arm in a sling holding a piece of paper while talking on phone.

Who cannot afford to pay medical bills in the North Central Region?

Posted on January 12th, 2023

By Zuzana Bednarik, Ph.D. and Renee D. Wiatt This article provides information from the North Central Region Household Data (NCR-Stat):…
Image with paper cut outs of a family (two children and two adults) under an open umbrella. Umbrella has the words "Health Insurance Coverage" printed on it.

Exploring Health Insurance Coverage in the North Central Region at the Intersection of Location, Employment, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity

Posted on December 5th, 2022

By Renee D. Wiatt The 2022 NCR-Stat: Baseline Survey measured whether individuals had health insurance along with other variables such…
Image of a generic health insurance card and stethoscope laying on a test results spreadsheet

Health insurance and health coverage plans in the North Central Region

Posted on November 4th, 2022

By Zuzana Bednarik, Ph.D. In the 2022 NCR-Stat Baseline Survey, the NCRCRD examined the state of health insurance and health…

NCR-STAT: Household Health Status in the North Central Region

Posted on September 19th, 2022

By Zuzana Bednarik, Ph.D. In the 2022 NCR-Stat Baseline Survey, the NCRCRD examined the current general health status of households…
map of North Central Region states indicating the number of respondents by state and rural /urban location

NCR-Stat and NCR-Stat: Baseline Survey Introduction

Posted on August 26th, 2022

By Zuzana Bednarik, Ph.D. Introduction to the NCR-Stat A North Central Region dataset (NCR-Stat) has been developed as a venue…
woman taping a moving box with another person packing a box in the background.

People are moving away from homeownership

Posted on June 28th, 2022

    Home ownership has traditionally been a perception of prosperity and financial security in the United States. However, the…
Image of Woman Holding Sign, Lost My Job Due to COVID-19

Impact of COVID-19 on the Women’s Unemployment Rate in the North Central Region

Posted on May 20th, 2022

In this article, we explore the impacts of COVID-19 on women’s unemployment rates from different perspectives across the North Central…
Hands holding money

Black Household Income Rises Across the North Central Region

Posted on April 13th, 2022

Every year, in February, America celebrates Black History Month to acknowledge the achievements of African Americans and their crucial role…

Official and Supplemental Poverty Measures in the Midwest

Posted on February 28th, 2022

In recognition of National Poverty in America Awareness Month, the U.S. Census Bureau provided a picture of poverty in the…

Why do people in the North Central Region leave their rural communities?

Posted on January 21st, 2022

Rural communities in the North Central Region (NCR) are facing many of the same trends observed in rural communities across…

Story Behind the Number Archive