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Resources by Topic: Rural definitions

Counting Rural America: A Guide to 2020 Census Operations
Discusses the U.S. Census Bureau's special operations for counting populations in remote rural areas, including locations without mailing addresses, with high seasonal vacancies, or areas recovering from national disasters. Addresses the challenges of limited internet access and cell phone service, and methods to improve the count in these areas. Identifies specific Hard-to-count (HTC) populations, and ways local governments, businesses, and service providers can ensure an accurate count in rural areas.
Author(s): Cara Brumfield, Sophie Khan
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality
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Definitions of "Rural" in Texas Statutes and the Texas Administrative Code
Details the various definitions of rural used by the state of Texas. Features maps illustrating the counties considered rural by each definition.
Date: 04/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Texas Legislative Council
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Greater Minnesota: Refined & Revisited
Provides information on the composition of Minnesota's geography by urban, large town, small town, and rural based on population and proximity to other communities. Examines economics, demographics, and general well-being of the different population areas with explanation of how they are defined. Includes county-level maps breaking down demographic variables by population size as well as data tables that show population changes by county.
Date: 01/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota State Demographic Center
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The Future of the Frontier: Water, Energy & Climate in America's Most Remote Communities
Examines the demographic background of frontier areas in the U.S. using level two of the Frontier and Remote Area Code methodology (FAR2), in comparison to the nation as a whole. Describes the history, county-level planning issues, climate change, and water and energy concerns unique to frontier regions.
Author(s): Michael Borsellino, Glenn Davis, Brian Kempf, et al.
Date: 2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Frontier Communities
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Rurality Matters
An overview of a Census Bureau identification of counties as mostly urban, mostly rural, and completely rural, based on 2010 Census data. Includes charts showing selected statistics by rurality for adults and children, using 2011-2015 American Community Survey data.
Author(s): Kelly Ann Holder, Alison Fields, Daphne Lofquist
Date: 12/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Defining Rural at the U.S. Census Bureau
An overview of how the Census Bureau has defined rural in the past, the current way urban/rural areas are identified by the Census, and the relationship between decennial censuses, the American Community Survey (ACS), and geography.
Author(s): Michael Ratcliffe, Charlynn Burd, Kelly Holder, Alison Fields
Date: 12/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Definition of Frontier
Policy paper discussing the various definitions of frontier and the methodologies for determining the different definitions. Offers support to state and federal programs in their selection of the most appropriate definition to attain their program goals.
Author(s): Susan Wilger, National Center for Frontier Communities
Date: 02/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rhode Island: Key Determinants of Rural Health
An assessment and review of the health needs, behaviors, and status of rural populations in Rhode Island. Identifies places of need and recognizes the challenges prevalent in rural areas. Can be used as a tool to develop strategies and allocate resources targeted to underserved areas of the state.
Author(s): Katelyn Edel
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rhode Island Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
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Rationalizing Rural Area Classifications for the Economic Research Service: A Workshop Summary
Summarizes an April 2015 workshop that explored the data, estimation, and policy issues related to rural classifications currently in use by the Economic Research Service (ERS): Rural Urban Continuum Codes (RUCCs), Urban Influence Codes (UICs), Rural Urban Community Area (RUCA) codes, and Frontier and Remote (FAR) codes.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Committee on National Statistics
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Micropolitan America: A New and Critical Part of the Nation's Geography
Provides an overview of the micropolitan designation, highlighting important features and demographics. Also presents a preliminary agenda for future research and seeks to engage others in a national initiative that will further the understanding of micropolitan areas.
Author(s): Sam M. Cordes, J. Matthew Fannin
Date: 11/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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