During most of the COVID-19 pandemic, regions with high financial distress saw disproportionately more infections and deaths than regions with low financial distress. As of February 2021, cumulative infections appear more evenly distributed while total deaths remain higher in financially distressed regions.

This article provides some history on the evolution of the Fifth District population across race and the rural-urban continuum since the late 1800s.

Broadband access in rural areas is linked to increased job and population growth, higher rates of new business formation and home values, and lower unemployment rates.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe economic distress in the Fifth District, but the regional housing market has proven remarkably resilient.

The Richmond Fed hosted the virtual Investing in Rural America Conference in October to explore opportunities for innovation in rural parts of the Fifth District.

How did rural and urban counties compare on measures of health outcomes and drivers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Digital connections have become more important in a time of social distancing, but rural broadband access still lags behind cities.

Reston, Va., and Columbia, Md., were founded in the 1960s with similar visions for inclusive, connected communities

The digital access “homework gap” most severely affects students in poor households and is compounded in rural areas by a lack of broadband internet infrastructure.

Alex Marré and Anna Read discuss how communities can maximize broadband resources.

Andy Bauer provides an update on economic conditions in Maryland as the state recovers from the severe downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ann Macheras discusses the state of the economy in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina and South Carolina.

Matt Martin provides his take on the tumultuous year that was 2020 and how it impacted economic conditions in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Alex Marré discusses the ongoing challenges of bringing broadband Internet service to everyone who needs it. 

Renee Haltom shares what she has been hearing about Virginia's economy, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tiffany Hollin-Wright discusses how our Community Development staff is addressing the disproportionate impact of the health and economic crises on communities of color.