Competition is much higher in urban areas. There are more black families in urban areas and thus there are more black dropouts while simultaneously urban areas have become hip destinations for college graduates. I know 20-somethings in NYC with liberal arts and art degrees that still work in retail or food services. And even many of my friends who no longer perform jobs like that did for several months to over a year while they sought out other work. I don't think this is as much of a phenomenon in Montana, the Dakotas and Iowa because they don't have a high rate of 20-somethings entering the workforce from other parts of the country.
