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Rural Definitions Primer: Rural definitions review and equity-based recommendation

Krasniqi, Qendresa; Zúñiga, Antonia F. Samur; Hansen, Sean E.; Heard, Emily; Sury, Jonathan

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 program implementation by determining which households and experiences are brought to the forefront and which are excluded. It concludes with a recommendation to use the Health Resources and Services Administration, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy definition.

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  • thumbnail for Rural Definitions Brief_FINAL.pdf Rural Definitions Brief_FINAL.pdf application/pdf 1.23 MB

More About This Work

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National Center for Disaster Preparedness
Published Here
September 17, 2026

Related Items

Part of:
Rural Preparedness and Children

Notes

Suggested citation:
Krasniqi, Q., Zúñiga, A. S., Hansen, S., Heard, E., & Sury, J. (Anita Drever). (2023). Rural Definitions Primer: a review and implications for children in the rural United States (Rural Children in Disasters: Key Issues, Insights, and Recommendations). National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University. https://doi.org/10.7916/cxss-aj08