The Economic Research Service division of the United States Department of Agriculture has published a number of insightful and thoughtful studies in its long history, and this study by Dean Jolliffe lives up to those exacting standards. Released in September 2006, the paper takes a critical look at the location of poverty across urban and rural areas in the United States. Drawing on a variety of data sources, the report finds that federal funds for social programs for the needy and community development have favored non-metropolitan areas. The report also notes that cost-of-living differences play a significant difference in this phenomenon. Visitors can read the entire 26-page report, or they may also wish to take a look at the 2-page summary document.