Appalachia is a region often discussed, but Appalachian Where exactly is it? This expansive area encompasses 423 counties across 13 states in the eastern United States, stretching an impressive 206,000 square miles. From the southern reaches of New York all the way down to northern Mississippi, Appalachia is a diverse and geographically significant area. It’s home to 26.4 million residents who live within parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and includes the entirety of West Virginia.
To truly understand appalachian where, it’s important to visualize its broad reach and the states it touches.
Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
Beyond its state boundaries, Appalachia is also defined by its unique cultural and historical context. This region is not just a geographical location; it’s a place with a shared identity and heritage. Adding to its rich tapestry, Appalachia is home to three federally recognized and five state recognized Native American tribal communities. These tribal entities are located within Appalachian Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, and North Carolina, further highlighting the diverse nature of appalachian where.
Since 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has played a vital role in investing in this region. With nearly 34,000 targeted investments and over $5.65 billion invested, matched by almost $11.7 billion in other funding, ARC has been instrumental in driving progress. These investments have aimed to improve key economic factors within appalachian where.
While Appalachia has witnessed significant progress, particularly in areas like poverty reduction, increased per capita income, and higher high school graduation rates, challenges remain. The region still lags behind the rest of the nation in several socioeconomic indicators. Continued efforts are crucial for Appalachia to fully recover from economic shifts, effectively address the substance abuse crisis, and attract further private sector investment. Understanding appalachian where also means acknowledging both its advancements and the ongoing work needed for continued growth.
Share of Population 25 Years and Over with a Bachelor’s Degree or More
Percent Population in Poverty
Per Capita Personal Income 2022 Dollars
To delve deeper into the data and demographics of appalachian where, the Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey, known as “The Chartbook,” is an invaluable resource. This report provides over 300,000 data points covering demographics, income, employment, education, computer access, housing, and more, broken down by region, subregion, state, and county levels.
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For those wanting to explore specific aspects of appalachian where, the Appalachian Regional Commission offers further resources:
- Appalachian States: Access information and data specific to each of the 13 states within the region. Select a State
Appalachian States
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Appalachian Counties Served by ARC: Explore the complete list of the 423 counties that constitute Appalachia. Learn More
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Economic Distress in Appalachian Counties: Understand how each county within appalachian where is classified based on economic distress levels, which influences ARC grant allocations. Learn More
Economic Distress in Appalachian Counties
- Tribal Communities in Appalachia: Discover more about the federally and state recognized Native American tribal communities located within the Appalachian Region. Learn More
Tribal Communities in Appalachia
- Congressional Districts in Appalachia: Learn about the congressional representation for appalachian where, including U.S. Senators and House members. Learn More
Congressional Districts in Appalachia
- Local Development Districts in Appalachia: Explore the network of local development districts that drive community-based economic development within the region. Learn more
Local Development Districts in Appalachia
In conclusion, appalachian where is not just a simple answer, but an exploration of a vast, multifaceted region. It’s a place defined by its geography, its people, its history, and its ongoing journey of development and progress.
