What is Rural? – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on What is Rural?.
NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties
Provides information on a six-level urban-rural classification scheme for U.S. counties and county-equivalent entities developed by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Includes access to data files and reports describing the classification scheme.
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Provides information on a six-level urban-rural classification scheme for U.S. counties and county-equivalent entities developed by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Includes access to data files and reports describing the classification scheme.
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Urban Influence Codes
A list of Urban Influence Codes (UICs) data sets. The 2024 UICs are a classification scheme that further subdivides metropolitan counties by the population size of their metro area, and nonmetropolitan counties by the size of their largest city or town and proximity to metro and micropolitan areas. This scheme allows researchers to break down county data into finer residential groups for the analysis of trends in nonmetro areas.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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A list of Urban Influence Codes (UICs) data sets. The 2024 UICs are a classification scheme that further subdivides metropolitan counties by the population size of their metro area, and nonmetropolitan counties by the size of their largest city or town and proximity to metro and micropolitan areas. This scheme allows researchers to break down county data into finer residential groups for the analysis of trends in nonmetro areas.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) Data Files
A set of 4 Excel files identifying nonmetro counties and rural census tracts (CTs) that comprise rural areas as defined by the FORHP including: nonmetro counties (micropolitan and non-core based counties) and eligible census tracts in metropolitan counties, outlying metro counties with no Urbanized Areas, FORHP eligible ZIP Codes, and FORHP ZIP codes by county.
Additional links: FORHP Eligible ZIP Codes, FORHP ZIP Codes by County, List of 295 Outlying Metro Counties with No Urbanized Areas, Non-Metro Counties (Micropolitan and non-core based counties) and Eligible Census Tracts in Metropolitan Counties
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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A set of 4 Excel files identifying nonmetro counties and rural census tracts (CTs) that comprise rural areas as defined by the FORHP including: nonmetro counties (micropolitan and non-core based counties) and eligible census tracts in metropolitan counties, outlying metro counties with no Urbanized Areas, FORHP eligible ZIP Codes, and FORHP ZIP codes by county.
Additional links: FORHP Eligible ZIP Codes, FORHP ZIP Codes by County, List of 295 Outlying Metro Counties with No Urbanized Areas, Non-Metro Counties (Micropolitan and non-core based counties) and Eligible Census Tracts in Metropolitan Counties
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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County Rurality Level: 2010
Spreadsheet that identifies, for each county in the U.S., the total, urban, and rural population, as well as the percent of the county population that is rural, based on 2010 Census data.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Spreadsheet that identifies, for each county in the U.S., the total, urban, and rural population, as well as the percent of the county population that is rural, based on 2010 Census data.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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USAC Rural Health Care Eligible Rural Areas Search
Determines if an organization is located in an eligible rural area for Universal Service Administrative Company's (USACs) Rural Health Care Program. Identifies a county by urban, rural or partly rural status as defined by the program rules.
Sponsoring organization: Universal Service Administrative Company
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Determines if an organization is located in an eligible rural area for Universal Service Administrative Company's (USACs) Rural Health Care Program. Identifies a county by urban, rural or partly rural status as defined by the program rules.
Sponsoring organization: Universal Service Administrative Company
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Medicare Telehealth Payment Eligibility Analyzer
Determines geographic eligibility for Medicare telehealth services. Identifies Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) located in rural census tracts, consistent with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's definition of rural.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Determines geographic eligibility for Medicare telehealth services. Identifies Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) located in rural census tracts, consistent with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's definition of rural.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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What is Frontier?
Describes all of the major definitions of frontier and remote areas currently in use.
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Frontier Communities
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Describes all of the major definitions of frontier and remote areas currently in use.
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Frontier Communities
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Rural Classifications
Describes several classifications and data measures useful in determining rurality in detail and in assessing the economic and social diversity of rural America, as required for eligibility in Federal programs assisting rural areas.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Describes several classifications and data measures useful in determining rurality in detail and in assessing the economic and social diversity of rural America, as required for eligibility in Federal programs assisting rural areas.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Frontier and Remote Area Codes: Data Set
Provides access to zip code-level frontier and remote area (FAR) codes to meet the need for delineation that is geographically detailed and adjustable for applications in diverse research and policy contexts.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Provides access to zip code-level frontier and remote area (FAR) codes to meet the need for delineation that is geographically detailed and adjustable for applications in diverse research and policy contexts.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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CMS Regional Office Rural Health Coordinators
The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Last Updated: 4/9/2025