Since 1990, nonmetro population growth rates have rebounded from the low levels of the 1980’s. Three of every four rural counties have grown. Migration from metro areas and foreign countries has produced most of this growth—with a net gain of 1.8 million from 1990 to 1996. In contrast, natural increase from excess of births over deaths contributed less to these recent gains than it did in the past. Current trends are viewed as part of a process of deconcentration that extends back to 1970, with a pause in the 1980’s caused by the economic difficulties of that time.