Nearly half of Americans peg the rural cutoff at fewer than 1,000 residents
Core finding
Nearly half of Americans (46%) reserve the label rural for places with fewer than 1,000 residents, according to a November 2024 Verasight survey.
About a quarter (24%) set the threshold lower, at fewer than 100 people, while roughly as many (23%) extend it to fewer than 10,000; just 7% would stretch it to fewer than 100,000.
Topline distribution
Nearly half of Americans peg the rural cutoff at fewer than 1,000 residents.
In your opinion, how many residents would have to live in that city/town for YOU to consider it rural?
n = 1,000 · Nov 19–22, 2024 · MoE ±3.4%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults |
| Field dates | Nov 19–22, 2024 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.4% |
| Module | B |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-apha-2024.tiiny.co
In your opinion, how many residents would have to live in that city/town for YOU to consider it rural?
Cite this question
Verasight APHA Omnibus Survey #2024-122, fielded November 19-22, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.4%.