Older Americans are increasing steadily in number and proportion of the total population, especially those age 85 and older. Rural areas generally have a higher proportion of older persons in their total population than do urban areas. Although poverty rates of older persons have generally declined, a metro-nonmetro gap persists, with the rural elderly more likely to be poor than the urban elderly. Rural areas differ widely in terms of population trends and the socioeconomic mix of their older population, and policies and programs for the older population that recognize these rural differences will be the most effective.