Descriptive Statistics of Model Variables (N = 531)
| Variable Name | Variable Definition | Mean | Std. Dev. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent variables | |||
| Input suppliers | The number of farm input suppliers | 15.34 | 23.17 |
| Output processors | The number of farm output processors | 22.47 | 60.57 |
| Production cost | Farm production cost per farmland acre ($/acre) | 402.24 | 2,472.28 |
| Net farm income | Net farm income per farmland acre ($/acre) | 125.74 | 1,037.18 |
| Independent variables | |||
| Developed land | Built-up land (in 10,000 acres) in neighborhood, lagged 5 years | 21.60 | 24.04 |
| Population density | Population density (people per square mile) in neighborhood, lagged 5 years | 225.83 | 574.32 |
| Government payment | Total government payments received ($1,000), lagged 5 years | 2,755.41 | 4,637.93 |
| Wholesale wage | Wholesale trade wage (payroll $/employees), lagged 5 years | 3.84 | 1.11 |
| Manufacture wage | Food manufacturing wage (payroll $/employees), lagged 5 years | 4.44 | 1.11 |
| Median income | Median household income ($1,000), adjusted for cost of housing differences, lagged 5 years | 29.19 | 5.05 |
| Population 65 and older | Percent population aged 65 and older, lagged 5 years | 13.49 | 3.54 |
| Adults without high school | Percent persons 25 years and older with less than high school degree, lagged 5 years | 21.71 | 6.85 |
| Fair market rent | Fair market rent index (FMR/average FMR), lagged 5 years | 1.00 | 0.22 |
| Average land quality | Average land quality in neighborhood (LCC = 1 or LCC = 2), lagged 5 years | 0.24 | 0.14 |
| Natural amenities | Natural amenities scale | 4.09 | 2.65 |
| Highway density | State roads, federal roads, and interstates as a share of total land area | 0.31 | 0.32 |
| Distance to cities | Distance to metro areas and large cities (miles) | 59.76 | 144.34 |
| Land area | Land area (square miles) | 2,266.93 | 2,336.56 |
Note: Descriptive statistics are generally for three-year averages or time-period averages: 1992, 1997, and 2002 for nonlagged variables; 1987, 1992, and 1997 for lagged variables; and 1987-1992, 1992-1997, and 1997-2002 for change variables. The exceptions are amenities, highway, distance to cities, and land area, which concern a single year only. All monetary values are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (1982-1984 = 1). Developed land and density are measured at the neighborhood level; all other variables are at the county level.