This article on the problems of smaller New England towns and communities could apply easily to most rural communities in America--youth leaving, lack jobs, decaying downtowns, and sprawl.
While many rural communities might claim they do not have the problem of expensive and overpriced housing, the opposite problem of too little good quality middle class and multi-family housing has the same effect--no one wants to move into a community without good neighborhoods and affordable housing for families. And businesses don't want to move staff and workers to an area where good quality housing is not available.
This story is worth a read, and is an excellent analysis of the problems (and some solutions) of rural towns. Check the right hand sidebar for an interesting look at the problems of not working regionally on problems.