NEW YORK— New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli recently released a report examining demographic, economic and quality of living trends in 10 rural counties in New York State. Most of the counties had population losses, aging residents and a shrinking labor force, as well as challenges with housing availability and access to health care, food and broadband. 

The counties selected as representative of rural New York include Allegany, Chenango, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Hamilton, Lewis, Schuyler, Sullivan and Wyoming.

“Demographic and other changes pose difficulties for local and state officials as they look for policies to boost communities and increase connectivity and access to health care and other services,” DiNapoli said. “Yet the shift in remote work and migration from urban areas could offer opportunities for rural communities to grow and thrive.”