27% - The increase in vehicle traffic on state's rural roads between 1990 and 2003.

6,000 miles - The length of California's network of levees that protect areas from flooding.

18% - Segment of the state's rural population that completed college in 2000 vs. 26.8% of urban population.

1.4 million - The number of mostly rural Californians lacking broadband access at any speed

7.1% - The unemployment rate in California's rural areas vs. 6.2% in urban areas (2004 data).

3,400 - The estimated number of California jobs saved through the help of USDA Rural Development business programs in 2007.

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, USDA Rural Development, California Chamber of Commerc