50% of AMERICANS LIVE IN 147 COUNTIES Where do you live?
Of the 3,000 counties in the USA, 50% of America's population lives in 147 counties.
It brings up interesting considerations, interesting points and counter points, and interesting questions. For example, where do you live on this map? Does your community have as much political influence and economic power as someone who lives in a different county? Also questions arise, as to what makes one geographic location grow and grow, while another falters. The cause and effect points seem almost without end.
One must consider the many implications of such a high percentage of our people living in only 147 counties. Because of more resources "high population centers" often enjoy superior hospitals, health care, more political influence, economic power, cultural and artistic institutions, bigger airports and transportation hubs, and a diversity of retail malls, restaurants, theaters and parks. These large population centers due to greater resources offer more choices, diversity of services and products than middle or smaller population centers.
They also have more problems of water supply and safety, traffic planning, crime, social stability, and diversity issues.
These are just a few of the potential impacts of living in one of these key counties. Those who are managing industry, would look at locations to consider for new "plant construction" to assure that there was infrastructure and a labor base to support their work. The more populated counties could likely offer better and more complete infrastructure and labor pools. Those involved in key aspects of homeland security know that food chain transportation and delivery services must be maintained and adequate. We at BGP have been told by Homeland Security officials that most big cities, in America only have a 2.5 day supply of food and fuel, should their transportation lines break down due to natural causes or terrorism. Government military planners have to consider safety and defense issues for areas with large population concentrations. But these "big" communities have more resources to hire the best people to lead and plan for the future.
Considering the "lower population counties", there is no doubt that thousands of farm communities, small towns and cities, offer great quality of life benefits. Plus they may point out that they have less traffic, less crime, fewer problems. Those mountain places, far away from big cities, offer retreat and beauty. Cities such as Lubbock, Amarillo, Pueblo, Helena, Santa Fe are no doubt great places to live, and each offers it's own unique advantages. The farmers who live and work in rural America tell us they prefer the connection with the land. Ranchers often have another sub culture that is almost pantheistic in nature. Indian reservations include many who profess to prefer isolation from the hustle and bustle of big city life, until they get their bonuses and then they rush to the cities to be "consumers" and enjoy a day at the "Mall".
One ideal advantage that is possible for millions of people in America is the opportunity to enjoy both. A city home and a second place to retreat to. Fortunately, with freedom of travel, there are ample places to rent or own to offer advantages of varied types. As for me, when the pressure and energy of big urban areas changes from invigoration to stress, then I make my way to a mountain top, and enjoy nature and the stars.