Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America

Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America. It is an interactive online mapping tool and data visualization platform developed and maintained by the Economic Research Service (ERS), a statistical agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. The atlas synthesizes a vast array of socioeconomic and demographic statistics to provide a comprehensive, county-level portrait of nonmetropolitan regions across the United States. It serves as a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to understand trends, identify challenges, and inform decisions related to rural development.

Overview and Purpose

The primary purpose of the atlas is to make complex data on rural America accessible and understandable through geographic information system (GIS) technology and choropleth map visualizations. It aims to illuminate the diverse conditions and economic structures of communities outside major metropolitan areas, countering simplistic narratives about these regions. The tool is designed to support the mission of the Economic Research Service in providing economic intelligence on agriculture, food, and natural resources, extending that analysis to the broader rural landscape. By centralizing indicators from multiple federal sources, it facilitates comparative analysis between counties, states, and different types of nonmetropolitan economies.

Data Sources and Methodology

The atlas integrates data from numerous authoritative federal statistical agencies. Key sources include the United States Census Bureau, particularly the American Community Survey and Decennial U.S. Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Data on specific sectors, such as agriculture and energy, are drawn from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The methodology relies on the Office of Management and Budget's metropolitan and nonmetropolitan county classifications to define its geographic scope. Indicators are standardized and presented primarily at the county level, allowing for consistent mapping and time-series analysis across the entire nation.

Key Indicators and Themes

Data within the atlas are organized into four broad thematic categories. The "People" category covers demographic indicators such as population change, age structure, race and ethnicity in the United States, and educational attainment levels. The "Jobs" category focuses on employment trends, industry composition, unemployment rates, and commuting patterns. The "Agriculture" section details indicators like farm numbers, market value of products, and government payments through programs like the Farm Bill. Finally, the "County Typologies" category applies the ERS's own classification codes, such as farming-dependent counties, mining-dependent counties, and recreation-dependent counties, to highlight different economic drivers.

Applications and Users

The atlas is utilized by a wide range of stakeholders engaged with rural issues. Policymakers at agencies like the United States Department of Agriculture and state departments of agriculture use it to assess needs and target program funding. Community developers, including those affiliated with the Cooperative Extension System and local chambers of commerce, employ it for strategic planning and grant applications. Academic researchers and journalists rely on it for data-driven analysis of trends like the opioid epidemic, rural depopulation, or the growth of renewable energy. Educators also use it as a teaching tool for courses in geography, sociology, and public policy.

Development and History

The atlas was first launched online by the Economic Research Service in 2011, created by geographers and economists within the agency's Resource and Rural Economics Division. Its development was driven by a growing recognition of the need for a centralized, spatial data resource on rural conditions, building upon earlier ERS publications like the Rural Conditions and Trends periodical. The platform has undergone several significant updates, most notably a major redesign in 2019 that improved its user interface, added new indicators from the American Community Survey, and enhanced its mapping capabilities. It continues to be updated periodically as new Census and other federal data become available.