HOUSTON COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
Various counties across the U.S. are fading, aging
populations and weak local economies are prompting young adults find jobs
somewhere else.
"Intuitively I see
that we've losing young people to larger cities, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio,"
said Erin ford, Houston County Judge.
According to the Associated Press more than one in three
U.S. counties are dying off.
In East Texas 10 counties have seen a decrease in their
populations since 2010, the Houston County population has decreased by 2.4
percent.
"We've seen a shift
from the economic benefit of being in a county to people seeking jobs to
support their families," said Ford.
Sabine and Trinity counties have also seen a decrease in
their population.
Trinity County Judge Steven Page says there aren't a lot of
job opportunities in Trinity County and most residents commute for work.
"Economic development
in the county is the backbone of the county, keeps the county going," said
Page.
Houston County Judge Erin Ford says the county's economy is
agriculturally based and says many businesses over look the advantages of a
rural environment
"Free market
industry, enterprise in the county so that we can draw young people back," said
Ford.
According to the 2012 Census, the U.S. has encountered its slowest
growth levels since the Great Depression
But rural counties are depending on parks, lakes and
recreation areas to maintain a stable population.
According to the 2012 Census Sabine County
has seen a 3.7 percent decrease in population, the largest in East Texas.
Since 2010 Angelina and Nacogdoches
counties have seen an increase in their populations.
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