The Fading Heartland (ongoing)

Rural communities face continuously declining populations. Throughout Iowa, many of these communities are struggling to maintain essential services.

Louisa County, a county in southeastern Iowa, has a population around 11,000 people. Over the past decade, Louisa’s population decreased by 3.1 percent. Between nine towns, only two police departments and three EMS departments remain in operation as many citizens wear more than one hat in the community to fill other roles.