U.S. Divisions Between Urban and Rural Aren't as Clear as Politicians Suggest

Urban vs. rural is just one example of the many false dichotomies presented as fact during the presidential campaign. A more nuanced understanding of these terms reveals more of the country's real character.

1 minute read

August 5, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Rural Utah

Scenes like this one nesr Park City, Utah are only 20 miles away from Salt Lake City. | Johnny Adolphson / Shutterstock

"Notwithstanding…political divisions, a close look at the data shows that urban and rural America are not as distant, economically or geographically, as the rhetoric may suggest," according to an article by Alan Berube.

To back up that argument, Berube calls on the definitions used by the U.S. Census Bureau to distinguish between urban and rural. "The Bureau classifies more densely developed areas as urban, and identifies large clusters of urban territory (with populations exceeding 50,000) as 'urbanized areas.' Urbanized areas, in turn, form the basis for identifying metropolitan areas, which approximate regional labor markets…" Areas that don't meet urban densities are classified as rural.

The catch, however, is that many of those rural areas are included in metropolitan areas. In fact, according to Berube, 54 percent of people living in areas classified as rural also live in metropolitan areas. "These 32 million residents of rural communities are thus part of wider labor markets that cluster around one or more cities, and most of them likely live within a reasonable commuting distance of those cities," writes Berube.

Rather than trying to make rural communities seem more urban, however, Berube's argument serves to prove the proximity, economically and geographically, of urban and rural communities. 

Thursday, August 4, 2016 in Brookings

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

5 hours ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

6 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

7 hours ago - CNU Public Square