Wednesday, Mar 27 2013 3:26PM

More residents are fleeing rural Oregon in favor of the state's more populous cities.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that a rising number of Oregon residents are leaving rural areas in favor of large metropolitans, the Oregonian reports. 

For example, the metro Portland population increased to 2,289,800 in July 2012, a rise of 1.3 percent from the year in 2011 and 2.9 percent in 2010, the data reveals. In contrast, rural counties such as Curry, Grant, Lake, Harney and Wallowa, posted population losses of at least 1 percent during these time periods. The findings also reveal that more births occurred then deaths in these counties, indicating that population declines are the result of more people fleeing the areas.

"Typically more rural counties will see an out-migration of young adults," Risa Proehl, a research associate at the Population Research Center, told the newspaper. "Those numbers aren't replaced, especially if there isn't any job availability."

A declining population of skilled workers in rural areas may do harm to small cities and towns that rely on economic community development to stay afloat. However, high unemployment rates, poverty and limited infrastructure can make it challenging to attract skilled and educated workers, many of whom relocate to more populous locations for job opportunities. Many rural locations are seeking funding from government agencies to boost community development and make rural locations more appealing to a wider demographic. 

For more information, check out this resource: The Oregonian