A study by the Center for Rural Strategies shows that 12% of all Gila County income comes from Social Security. In 2009, this was a total of more than $201 million.
Gila County depends more on Social Security than the rest of the country. In 2009, 5.5% of total personal income in the US came from Social Security payments. The Arizona percentage was 6.1%.
More than 15,000 people in Gila County receive some form of Social Security payment That’s 29% of the county population.
Economists say Social Security payments are especially important to rural counties and small cities because most of the money is spent in the local community.
The US Congress is currently looking for ways to balance the federal budget and changes to Social security are being discussed. If benefits are cut—or if the eligibility age is increased—rural counties and small cities would be hurt the most.
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