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Urban and Rural Classification Press Kit

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Urban and Rural Classification Press Kit

The Census Bureau’s urban-rural classification is a delineation of geographic areas, identifying both individual urban areas and the rural area of the nation. The Census Bureau’s urban areas represent densely developed territory, and encompass residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses. The Census Bureau delineates urban areas after each decennial census by applying specified criteria to decennial census and other data. Rural encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within any urban area.

web List of 2020 Census Urban Areas

News

web Nation’s Urban and Rural Populations Shift Following 2020 Census

Tables

xls 2020 Census Urban Areas for the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Island Areas sorted by UACE code
xls 2020 Census Urban Areas for the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Island Areas first sorted by state FIPS code, then sorted by UACE code
xls List of 2010 Census Urban Areas that are Classified as Rural in 2020 [<1.0 MB]
xls State-level Urban and Rural Information for the 2020 Census and 2010 Census [<1.0 MB]

Fact Sheet

web 2020 Census Urban-Rural Classification Fact Sheet

Blog

web Redefining Urban Areas following the 2020 Census

Product Release Schedule

January 2023

  • 2020 Census Urban Areas Wall Map
  • TIGERwebTIGER/Line Shapefiles
  • TIGER/Line Geodatabases
  • Relationship Files
  • Census Geocoder updated with 2020 Census Urban Areas

Later in 2023

  • Cartographic Boundary Files – May 2023
  • Additional maps

Resources

web Urban and Rural web page
pdf 2020 Urban Areas Frequently Asked Questions [<1.0 MB]
web 2020 Census Urban Area Facts
web Federal Register: 2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications (12/29/22)
web Federal Register: Urban Area Criteria for the 2020 Census-Final Criteria (3/24/22)
web 2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications
web Defining Census Bureau Urban Areas
web 2010 Census Urban and Rural Classification
web 2010 Census Urban and Rural Classification and Urban Area Criteria
web Geography Program Visualizations

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Page Last Revised - January 6, 2023
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