Research Alert: April 27, 2021

Demographics and Disability Status of Adults Living Alone in Rural Areas

Living alone is increasingly common across the U.S. It is also associated with poorer health outcomes and greater risks of loneliness and social isolation. However, less is known about how the demographic and health characteristics of adults living alone varies by rural/urban location.

This brief addresses this gap by examining how the types of people who live alone differ between urban and rural areas, focusing on differences in age and disability status.

Additional Resources of Interest:

• More information about the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
• More information from the Rural Health Information Hub's topic guides: Community Supports for Rural Aging in Place and Independent Living, Rural Health Disparities, Social Determinants of Health