Commentary: Why We Need a Federal Definition of ‘Rural’

What does rural mean? Far from a purely philosophical or linguistic exercise, this question — and how its answer is defined by the government — has major impacts on how federal funds and grants are distributed.

As Christopher Chavis explains in Daily Yonder, there is no uniform definition of rural areas at the federal level. Consequently, federal agencies classify the same places differently. Some agencies classify rural areas at the county level, while others use Census Tracts to define urban and rural areas.

Chavis points to examples in California’s San Bernardino County, where arguably rural communities in deserts far from major cities are classified as urban by some federal agencies. “This can create a confusing landscape for local governments and non-profits. It also means that some opportunities are simply unavailable to these communities. It also distorts any count of rural people.”

Chavis calls for a nationwide definition of rural places that would eliminate confusion, make federal funding more accessible, and direct resources where they are most needed.