There are lots of places in Europe that look like wastelands now - parts of Spain, such as the rural village areas - and are virtually uninhabited. Well, except for the Moroccans and African Muslims who are beginning to move in and set up shop. I have seen them in some of the most remote villages in Spain.
Kansas is the same as you describe. I know I asked my close Dutch friend, and she said they think losing population is a good thing, being the most densely populated country in the world. In her rural area, farmland is 60,000/acre and many farmers look to emmigrating where they can actually get some land to work.