Rural Definitions Primer: Rural definitions review and recommendations

This primer examines the most-utilized definitions of rurality in the United States and is intended to serve as a quick guide for reviewing these definitions’ strengths and limitations. The choice of definition can affect both understanding and policy/program implementation by determining which households and/or experiences are brought to the forefront and which are excluded. The primer concludes with a recommendation that organizations seeking to address rural poverty use the Health Resources and Services Administration, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy definition.