Rural employment and earnings have grown unevenly since 1969, following the general ups and downs of the U.S. economy. Nonmetro employment and earnings growth was strongest in the early 1970’s, increasing at faster rates than in metro counties. But more recently, nonmetro counties have underperformed metro counties, declining more in the two recessions during 1979-82 and expanding less in the recovery that followed. Nonmetro growth was strongest in the West and weakest in the Midwest. Nonmetro counties that have attracted retirees have had more employment and earnings growth, both in service- and goods-producing industries, than those counties dependent on other economic bases.