According to the population trends of the 1970s, what was a surprising fact about rural areas?

The correct answer focuses on the phenomenon where rural areas were gaining population despite having an aging population. During the 1970s, many rural communities began to experience an influx of residents due to various factors promoting rural living, including the search for a lower cost of living, a desire for a quieter lifestyle, and the development of telecommunications that allowed more people to work remotely.

This trend was surprising because it conflicted with the expectation that aging populations would lead to gradual declines in population as older residents passed away without adequate younger replacements to sustain the community. The unexpected gains in rural population challenged conventional assumptions about demographics and lifestyles during that era, highlighting the multifaceted nature of migration patterns and rural revitalization efforts.

The other options describe trends that do not align with the realities of rural population dynamics during that time. For instance, rural areas experiencing population declines without offsetting newcomers suggests a negative growth trend, which contradicts the chosen statement about rural growth. Smaller family sizes could indicate a shift toward urbanization rather than growth in rural settings. Higher percentages of housing growth in rural areas could also imply that urban areas were developing more rapidly, which again would not support the assertion of rural population gains.