New Research Shows Teenage Birth Rate is Higher in Rural America
First-Ever Data Comparing Rural, Suburban, and Urban Teen Birth Rates
The teenage birth rate in rural counties in the United States is nearly one-third higher compared to the rest of the country, according to new research from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. This first of its kind analysis shows that the teenage birth rate in 2010 in rural counties surpasses that in suburban counties and major urban centers.
Other findings from the new research include:
- The teenage birth rate is higher in rural counties than in other areas of the country (43 per 1,000 girls age 15-19 vs. 33) regardless of age or race/ethnicity.
- Among non-Hispanic white teens, for example, the rural teenage birth rate (36 per 1,000 girls 15-19) is more than twice as high as that for major urban centers (16 per 1,000 girls 15-19).
