Rural, Urban and Suburban Communities

A majority of Americans say they know only some of their neighbors, but far fewer say they know most of them.

A majority of rural Americans say local news media mostly cover an area other than the one where they live.

Today, 36% of U.S. adults say they have ever used a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Lyft. Prominent urban-rural gaps in adoption exist.

Rural Americans live an average of 10.5 miles from the nearest hospital, compared with 5.6 miles for people in suburban areas and 4.4 in urban areas.

U.S. suburbs are evenly divided politically, but some have a clear Democratic or Republican tilt. Poverty has increased more sharply in the suburbs than in urban or rural counties.

Fast, reliable internet service has become broadly essential. But 24% of rural U.S. adults say access to high-speed internet is a major problem in their community.

Changes in marriage and childbearing have reshaped the American family. These shifts are playing out somewhat differently across urban, suburban and rural counties.

The U.S. public’s concerns about drug addiction come amid increases in the number and rate of fatal drug overdoses across urban, suburban and rural communities.

The demographic trends reshaping the United States are playing out differently in America’s urban, suburban and rural communities. Read key findings about the attitudes and experiences of urban, suburban and rural Americans.

Large demographic shifts are reshaping America. See how your community compares with others in the country.