Nonmetro workers had higher unemployment rates than metro workers in 1987, were more likely to be employed on an involuntary part-time basis or to be discouraged from seeking employment at all, were less likely to hold managerial and professional jobs, and were less likely to have health insurance. Thirteen percent of nonmetro workers had earnings below the individual poverty line compared with 7 percent of metro workers. Education enhanced nonmetro workers' labor force status but did not close the nonmetro employment gap.