Rural-Urban Comparison Maps

Population growth is concentrated in urban areas

This map shows county population growth from 2010 to 2020. Urban areas accounted for much of the population growth over the past decade, while many rural areas saw population declines. West Virginia experienced population declines in nearly every county and was one of three states in the country to see a population decline overall. Considering proximity to urban areas, rural areas near large urban areas were less likely to have population declines than rural areas far from urban areas. For more information on population changes and the 2020 Census, see “2020 Census: A Look at the Fifth District”.

Rural areas tend to have a lower percentage of working age residents

This map shows the percentage of the population that are working age adults (ages 25-64). Urban areas of the Fifth District generally have a higher share of working age adults than rural areas. Many of the counties with the lowest shares of working age adults are in the rural areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, and the southern and western parts of Virginia. 

Rural counties account for 60 percent of the Fifth District, but 83 percent of all counties with low percentages of working age adults are rural. Among rural counties alone, 46 percent have low percentages of working age adults (compared to 14 percent of urban counties).

Rural areas also have larger shares of seniors

This map shows the percentage of the population that are 65 years of age and older. Many of the same rural counties with low percentages of working age adults also have high concentrations of the population 65 and older. 

Rural counties account for 60 percent of the Fifth District, but 82 percent of all counties with high percentages of residents 65 and older are rural. Among rural counties alone, 47 percent have high percentages of residents who are 65 and older (compared to 15 percent of urban counties).

Rural areas tend to have a larger percentage of residents without a high school diploma

This map shows the percentage of working age adults (ages 25-64) without a high school diploma or equivalent. Across the Fifth District, the counties with high percentages of residents not completing high school are concentrated in parts of rural West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and in the eastern areas of North Carolina and South Carolina. 

Rural counties account for 60 percent of the Fifth District, but 80 percent of all counties with high percentages of residents without a high school diploma are rural. Among rural counties alone, 46 percent have high percentages of residents who did not complete high school (compared to 17 percent of urban counties).

And a smaller percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

This map shows the percentage of working age adults (ages 25-64) with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The counties with the lowest percentages are primarily in rural areas of West Virginia, southwestern and southern Virginia, and eastern North Carolina and South Carolina. 

Rural counties account for 60 percent of the Fifth District, but 84 percent of all counties with low percentages of bachelor’s and advanced degree holders are rural. Among rural counties alone, 47 percent have low percentages of these graduates (compared to 13 percent of urban counties).

High unemployment occurs in both rural and urban areas 

This map shows unemployment rates – the number of unemployed residents divided by the sum of unemployed and employed residents – for working age adults (ages 25-64). Compared to other economic indicators, geographic differences in unemployment rates are somewhat less pronounced based on rural or urban status.  

Rural counties account for 60 percent of the Fifth District, but 75 percent of all counties with high unemployment rates are rural. Among rural counties alone, 44 percent have high unemployment rates (compared to 22 percent of urban counties).

Rural areas have lower labor force participation rates

This map shows labor force participation (LFP) rates – the sum unemployed and employed residents divided by the population – for working age adults (ages 25-64). Across the Fifth District, rural areas generally have lower labor force participation rates than urban areas. Rural/urban differences in LFP rates are more pronounced than unemployment rates; rural areas tend to have higher percentages of workers who are not employed and not actively looking for work. 

Rural counties account for 60 percent of the Fifth District, but 87 percent of all counties with low labor force participation rates are rural. Among rural counties alone, 48 percent have low labor force participation rates (compared to 10 percent of urban counties).

Employment-to-population ratios tend to be lower in rural areas, too

This map shows employment-to-population ratios – the number of employed residents divided by the population – for working age adults (ages 25-64). These ratios are generally lower in rural areas, notably in West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and eastern North Carolina and South Carolina, and higher in urban areas in Maryland, northern Virginia, and around most cities labeled on the map. 

Rural counties account for 60 percent of the Fifth District, but 87 percent of all counties with low employment-to-population ratios are rural. Among rural counties alone, 48 percent have low employment-to-population ratios (compared to 10 percent of urban counties).

Higher incomes are concentrated in large urban areas

This map shows the median household income in counties across the Fifth District. The counties with the highest median incomes are located near large urban areas such as most cities labeled on the map. The counties with the lowest median household incomes tend to be in rural areas not adjacent to large urban areas. However, there are several small urban counties with low median incomes, particularly in western/central North Carolina and South Carolina.