What is Rural? – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on What is Rural?.
'Rurality' of Nonmetropolitan Counties Varies Across Regions
Presents a map of metro and nonmetro counties based on the 2023 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC). Breaks down the counties on a nine-level scale of rurality.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Presents a map of metro and nonmetro counties based on the 2023 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC). Breaks down the counties on a nine-level scale of rurality.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
In Search of Rural: How Varying Definitions Shape Housing Research
Describes the effect of rural definitions on rural housing research. Categorizes rural definitions by type, and compares data produced by applying 11 rural definitions to 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Discusses definition impacts on estimated rural demographics and housing stock, characteristics, and challenges. Includes state-by-state estimates of rural population share for each definition.
Author(s): Alexander Hermann, Whitney Airgood-Obrycki
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS)
view details
Describes the effect of rural definitions on rural housing research. Categorizes rural definitions by type, and compares data produced by applying 11 rural definitions to 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Discusses definition impacts on estimated rural demographics and housing stock, characteristics, and challenges. Includes state-by-state estimates of rural population share for each definition.
Author(s): Alexander Hermann, Whitney Airgood-Obrycki
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS)
view details
Fact Sheet: How to Define Rurality
Fact sheet defines rural in the context of the Veterans Health Administration. Discusses RUCA codes, Census tracts, and how the VA assigns rurality.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
view details
Fact sheet defines rural in the context of the Veterans Health Administration. Discusses RUCA codes, Census tracts, and how the VA assigns rurality.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
view details
How Does the Definition of "Rural" Impact Research?
Webinar examining research from the Rural Health Research Centers, highlighting the importance of rural definitions and how those definitions impact research. Offers advice for what researchers should take into account when determining rural definitions for a study, and what non-researchers should look for in rural definitions when reading a study or brief.
Additional links: Slide Deck, Transcript
Author(s): Janice Probst, George Pink
Date: 11/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
view details
Webinar examining research from the Rural Health Research Centers, highlighting the importance of rural definitions and how those definitions impact research. Offers advice for what researchers should take into account when determining rural definitions for a study, and what non-researchers should look for in rural definitions when reading a study or brief.
Additional links: Slide Deck, Transcript
Author(s): Janice Probst, George Pink
Date: 11/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
view details
Rural Definitions and Data: Changes after the 2020 Census
Webinar recording discusses the changes to the way rural is defined in the 2020 Census and how those changes will affect rural programs', organizations', and facilities' access to federal funding. Features presentations from representatives of the Federal Office or Rural Health Policy.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 11/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Webinar recording discusses the changes to the way rural is defined in the 2020 Census and how those changes will affect rural programs', organizations', and facilities' access to federal funding. Features presentations from representatives of the Federal Office or Rural Health Policy.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 11/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
OMB Bulletin No. 23-01, Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas
Outlines the Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, Combined Statistical Areas, and Metropolitan Division – collectively called Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) – for the United States and Puerto Rico. Reflects the 2020 Standards for Delineating Core Based Statistical Areas published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in July 2021 and the application of those standards to Census population and journey-to-work data, including the 2020 Decennial Census, American Community Survey, and Census Population Estimates Program data. Also provides guidance on the use of these delineations.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Management and Budget
view details
Outlines the Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, Combined Statistical Areas, and Metropolitan Division – collectively called Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) – for the United States and Puerto Rico. Reflects the 2020 Standards for Delineating Core Based Statistical Areas published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in July 2021 and the application of those standards to Census population and journey-to-work data, including the 2020 Decennial Census, American Community Survey, and Census Population Estimates Program data. Also provides guidance on the use of these delineations.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Management and Budget
view details
Rural Definitions Used for Eligibility Requirements in USDA Rural Development Programs
Provides an overview of the definitions of rural that are used to determine eligibility for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) programs. Identifies issues that Congress may want to consider related to these definitions and community eligibility.
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Provides an overview of the definitions of rural that are used to determine eligibility for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) programs. Identifies issues that Congress may want to consider related to these definitions and community eligibility.
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Urban Bias in Rural Data Sets
Policy position paper discussing various classifications of rural, how these definitions may not accurately represent rural areas, and the potential implications for rural populations. Offers policy recommendations regarding rural data infrastructure and the allocation of resources using rural definitions.
Author(s): Leah Bouchard, Isela Garcia, Jacy Warrell
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
view details
Policy position paper discussing various classifications of rural, how these definitions may not accurately represent rural areas, and the potential implications for rural populations. Offers policy recommendations regarding rural data infrastructure and the allocation of resources using rural definitions.
Author(s): Leah Bouchard, Isela Garcia, Jacy Warrell
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
view details
Counties by Metro/Micro Area Status: 2021
Map of the United States displaying metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas by county using data from the Office and Management and Budget (OMB). Uses metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas as defined by OMB as of March 2020.
Date: 12/2022
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
view details
Map of the United States displaying metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas by county using data from the Office and Management and Budget (OMB). Uses metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas as defined by OMB as of March 2020.
Date: 12/2022
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
view details
Redefining Urban Areas Following the 2020 Census
Provides an overview of changes made to the U.S. Census Bureau urban area criteria following the 2020 Census. Covers the minimum population threshold, housing unit density, and the decision to cease distinguishing between different types of urban areas.
Author(s): Michael Ratcliffe
Date: 12/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
view details
Provides an overview of changes made to the U.S. Census Bureau urban area criteria following the 2020 Census. Covers the minimum population threshold, housing unit density, and the decision to cease distinguishing between different types of urban areas.
Author(s): Michael Ratcliffe
Date: 12/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
view details
Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
Last Updated: 4/1/2024