THE POPULATION decline of rural areas is a complex problem, and there are many reasons more people live in urban areas. The biggest one is a lack of jobs.
We are most concerned with the dwindling numbers of people in rural West Texas, but it isn't just a regional problem. Similar circumstances can be found in other states - even in Alaska. Some small cities and rural areas in Texas and elsewhere in the nation are holding their own and even growing, but others are struggling,
The population of Castro County has decreased by 30 percent since 1980 and more than 10 percent since the 2000 Census, according to Enrique Rangel, chief of the A-J's Austin bureau. Crosby County population has dropped by about 26 percent since 1980.
In such places, the goal regarding population must be to put on the brakes and stop the downward trend.
As we mentioned, rural population decline is a complex problem, but that doesn't mean area cities and counties have to do nothing and watch helplessly as their numbers shrink.
Such things as the growth of dairy farming in many area counties is evidence jobs and economic development can be found.
We would like to see some of the smart minds in our region get together and apply their skills to analyzing why the population exodus is occurring and brainstorming about things that could be done to stop it.
With a little organization and a good amount of cooperation, we would wager some good ideas could be generated that could make a difference.
People from every city and county are most concerned about what is happening in their own back yards, and they could see neighboring towns as competing for economic development opportunities that might come along. This could hinder a desire to work together.
However, it might someday come to the point where rural West Texas either sinks together or thrives together. Working together could help everyone in the long run.
Our region has some very wise and resourceful people. If they would work together, it could make an important difference to this part of the state.