Some of these rural hubs are hanging on - thanks to immigration. The population of Marshalltown, Iowa, my childhood hometown, has remained steady for decades - but it is now nearly 30 percent Hispanic. This has sustained the largest employer, a meatpacking plant, and many auxiliary local businesses. However, this infusion of lower-skill immigrant labor means that Marshall County's average household income is now lower in real terms than it was in 1978, when my family moved there.
Ezinye zalezi zindawo ezisemaphandleni zisabambelele - sibonga abokufika. Inani labantu baseMarshalltown, e-Iowa, okuyidolobha engakhulela kulo ebuntwaneni, lihlale liqinile amashumi eminyaka - kepha manje selingamaphesenti angama-30 amaHispanic. Lokhu kusimamise umqashi omkhulu kunabo bonke, indawo yokufaka inyama, namabhizinisi amaningi asizayo endawo. Kodwa-ke, lokhu kumukelwa kwabasebenzi bokufika abanamakhono aphansi kusho ukuthi imali engenayo yomndeni yaseMarshall County manje isisezingeni eliphansi kunangesikhathi seminyaka ye-1978, lapho umndeni wami wathuthela lapho.