Population and aging trends suggest that many rural Virginia communities will find it increasingly difficult to provide a competitive work force, according to a University of Virginia study.

The study found that during the next decade, 825,000 Virginians 55-64 years old will reach retirement age. That is 11% of the state’s population – up from less than 9% six years ago – and the percentage will grow as even more baby boomers age into retirement. The situation is particularly acute in 11 counties where at least one quarter of the current work force will reach retirement age by 2016.

Read (AP via WTOP)