Residents across the state have felt the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year in terms of their physical health, mental health, work, and consumer habits according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s 2021 Nebraska Rural and Metro Polls.
61 percent of Nebraskans surveyed indicated the pandemic affected life overall a fair amount or great deal. Poll results suggest some of these effects on health, wellness and finances were experienced differently across demographic groups, by region, and between rural and urban communities.
Across the state, in both rural and metropolitan communities, about a quarter of respondents, 25% in rural areas and 23% in metro areas said someone in their household contracted COVID-19. Eighteen percent of rural respondents reported friends or family in their community dying of COVID-19 compared to 13% of metro respondents.
“With the rural population historically being a bit older and COVID initially hitting older adults harder, it is not surprising that this shows up as a difference in the poll,” said Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, associate professor and extension specialist at Nebraska.
The pandemic took a toll on several quality-of-life factors. Most respondents in both metro and rural areas said their socialization with others was disrupted by COVID-19. Fifty-one percent of metro respondents and 40% of rural respondents said their mental health was affected.
Statewide, the pandemic appeared to financially affect those with the lowest incomes the most. About four in 10 respondents with household incomes under $40,000 said their financial health was impacted by the pandemic, compared to 20% of persons with incomes of $100,000 or more in rural areas or $75,000 or more in metropolitan areas.
Many Nebraskans reported adopting new consumer behaviors during the pandemic, such as shopping online, using self-service banking, ordering food from a restaurant for delivery or curbside pickup, and videoconferencing with friends and relatives “Many respondents also report they are likely to continue these behaviors going forward,” said Becky Vogt, manager of the Rural Poll. “Businesses that continue to adapt and offer these new delivery methods will be poised to meet these demands in the future.”
This year, 1,568 rural Nebraskans completed the Nebraska Rural Poll and 1,305 urban residents completed the Nebraska Metro Poll. They asked participants about their experiences with the pandemic, their health and well-being, views about their community and trust in institutions and media.