Rural Employment in Four States: A Story of Specialization and Change (2010 through 2019)

Is specializing in an industry the way to economic success or the road to economic challenges for rural communities? It depends on the community’s resilience. Read More  

The threat of eviction during COVID-19: Perspectives from Cleveland’s Ohio City

Renters and landlords and the legal system. We spoke to Clevelanders about the difficulties caused by the pandemic and solutions that show promise for times of crisis and times of relative stability. Explore the story for insights from a tenant who was furloughed, a landlord with a small number or properties, a Housing Court judge, and a Legal Aid attorney. Read more  

Two Approaches to Predicting the Path of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is One Better?

We compare two types of models used to predict the spread of the coronavirus, both of which have been used by government officials and agencies. We describe the nature of the difference between the two approaches and their advantages and limitations. We compare examples of each type of model—the University of Washington IHME or “Murray” model, which follows a curve-fitting approach, and the Ohio State University model, which follows a structural approach. Read More  

Economic Inclusion 2000–2020: Labor Market Trends by Race in the US and States

This Commentary examines the extent to which disparities exist between Blacks and whites in labor market outcomes such as levels of labor force participation, unemployment rates, and earnings. To gauge whether disparities have narrowed or widened since 2000, national trends in these outcomes during the past two decades are compared to the trends in three states: Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Finally, to assess the current state of economic inclusion as reflected in the labor market, gaps in Black and white outcomes are compared across US states in 2020. Read More  

The Decline in Access to Jobs and the location of Employment Growth in US Metro Areas: Implications for Economic Opportunity and Mobility

Increasing workers’ access to jobs has been found to significantly decrease the duration of joblessness among lower-income unemployed workers. Policies that influence the location of employment growth within a metro area could impact the pace of the labor market recovery from the COVID-19-induced recession. By studying trends in job access, we discern developments that might inform our policy choices. Read More