In 1979 a stratified random sampling of 541 families in 4 rural Virginia counties were interviewed about major occupations, secondary occupations, travel to work, and whether the division of labor within the county allowed for a complete exchange system. Data, compared to 1940 census statistics, indicated that a significant change in occupational structure had taken place. The number of farmers declined and the proportion of clerical and sales workers increased. Over 40% of the income-producing workers in the 4 rural counties had second jobs. Although farm labor constituted an insignificant proportion of part-time jobs, all other occupational categories had a significant number of part-time workers. Many rural workers (37%) treated the rural community as a suburb and traveled great distances to work, averaging over 15 miles one way. In 1979, women represented 43% of the income-producing workers (as opposed to 13% in 1940) and made up a larger proportion of workers in each category except the professional area. Increased employment of women had significant effects on human resources needed for rural development. Human resources in general were not sufficient for either an agricultural or an industrial economy. Nevertheless, those studied indicated allegiance to "the rural way of life." (CM)