The existence of multiple rural definitions reflects the reality that rural and urban can be distinguished using different geographic concepts and population thresholds.

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Different countries have varying definitions of rural for statistical and administrative purposes. Rural areas have unique economic and social dynamics due to their relationship with land-based industry such as agriculture, forestry, and resource extraction.

(Definition of rural from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Rural areas are defined by more than open land. Learn how population density, economics, and infrastructure shape what makes a community rural.

The Municipal Urban-Rural Classification (MURC) was developed by the Office of Rural Health to identify the level of rurality of each of Wisconsin’s 1,850 cities, towns, and villages.

Rural applies to sparsely settled or agricultural country: "I do love quiet, rural England" (George Meredith). Bucolic is often used pejoratively or facetiously of country people or their manners: "The keenest of bucolic minds felt a whispering awe at the sight of the gentry" (George Eliot).

Discover the differences between rural, urban, and suburban settings, as well as the unique characteristics that define each one. The term rural is generally used as a synonym for a location that's "out in the country." Rural locations are, by nature, not densely populated.

Rural encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area. For the 2020 Census, an urban area will comprise a densely settled core of census blocks that meet minimum housing unit density and/or population density requirements.