# Rural America Just Got Poorer

> Non-metro families lost 19% of wealth in 3 years as rural wealth gaps widen.
- Title: Rural America Just Got Poorer · 24/7 Wall St. | Shortify
- Summary: Non-metro families lost 19% of wealth in 3 years as rural wealth gaps widen. Non-metro families in the US lost 19% of their wealth between 2022 and 2025…
- Keywords: non-metro families, wealth loss, rural america, federal reserve, net worth, metropolitan areas, wealth gap, Rural, America, Just, Got, Poorer
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/10/19/rural-america-just-got-poorer-non-metro-families-lost-19-of-their-wealth-in-3-years
- Author: Jake FitzGerald
- Published: 2026-10-19T10:20:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: non-metro families, wealth loss, rural america, federal reserve, net worth, metropolitan areas, wealth gap
## Rural Wealth Decline
Non-metro families lost 19% of their wealth between 2022 and 2025.
## Inflation-Adjusted Drop
Wealth fell from $713,700 to $577,100 in real terms.
## Median Loss
Median net worth dropped 6% from $160,200 to $150,100.
## Wealth Gap Widening
Metro families gained 6% while non-metro families lost 19% in wealth.
## Income vs. Wealth
Non-metro median income rose 8% but wealth declined.
## Asset Shifts
Private business equity fell 23% while public stocks rose.
## Wealth Leaks
Vehicles lost 14% value and home equity grew only 5%.
## Future Signals
Credit card delinquencies rising could signal further wealth loss.
## Key takeaway

Non-metro families in the US lost 19% of their wealth between 2022 and 2025, widening the wealth gap with metro areas.