rural area
Defined in 18 places across 9 titles of the United States Code.
As used in this subchapter, the terms "rural" and "rural area" mean any open country, or any place, town, village, or city which is not (except in the cases of Pajaro, in the State of California, and Guadalupe, in the State of Arizona) part of or associated with an urban area and which (1) has a population not in excess of 2,500 inhabitants, or (2) has a population in excess of 2,500 but not in excess of 10,000 if it is rural in character, or (3) has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 20,000, and (A) is not contained within a standard metropolitan statistical area, and (B) has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. For purposes of this subchapter, any area classified as "rural" or a "rural area" prior to October 1, 1990, and determined not to be "rural" or a "rural area" as a result of data received from or after the 1990, 2000, 2010, or 2020 decennial census, and any area deemed to be a "rural area" for purposes of this subchapter under any other provision of law at any time during the period beginning January 1, 2000, and ending December 31, 2020, shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2030, if such area has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 35,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the city of Plainview, Texas, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter, and the city of Altus, Oklahoma, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000.
Source
- 2018–present42 U.S.C. § 1490The Public Health and Welfare · Rural and rural area defined · as used in this subchapter
As used in this subchapter, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any open country, or any place, town, village, or city which is not (except in the cases of Pajaro, in the State of California, and Guadalupe, in the State of Arizona) part of or associated with an urban area and which (1) has a population not in excess of 2,500 inhabitants, or (2) has a population in excess of 2,500 but not in excess of 10,000 if it is rural in character, or (3) has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 20,000, and (A) is not contained within a standard metropolitan statistical area, and (B) has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. For purposes of this subchapter, any area classified as “rural” or a “rural area” prior to October 1, 1990, and determined not to be “rural” or a “rural area” as a result of data received from or after the 1990, 2000, or 2010 decennial census, and any area deemed to be a “rural area” for purposes of this subchapter under any other provision of law at any time during the period beginning January 1, 2000, and ending December 31, 2010, shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2020, if such area has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 35,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the city of Plainview, Texas, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter, and the city of Altus, Oklahoma, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000.
Source
- 2014–201842 U.S.C. § 1490The Public Health and Welfare · Rural and rural area defined · as used in this subchapter
As used in this subchapter, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any open country, or any place, town, village, or city which is not (except in the cases of Pajaro, in the State of California, and Guadalupe, in the State of Arizona) part of or associated with an urban area and which (1) has a population not in excess of 2,500 inhabitants, or (2) has a population in excess of 2,500 but not in excess of 10,000 if it is rural in character, or (3) has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 20,000, and (A) is not contained within a standard metropolitan statistical area, and (B) has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. For purposes of this subchapter, any area classified as “rural” or a “rural area” prior to October 1, 1990, and determined not to be “rural” or a “rural area” as a result of data received from or after the 1990 decennial census shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000, if such area has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 25,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the city of Plainview, Texas, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter.
Source
- 1994–199842 U.S.C. § 1490The Public Health and Welfare · Rural and rural area defined · as used in this subchapter
As used in this subchapter, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any open country, or any place, town, village, or city which is not (except in the cases of Pajaro, in the State of California, and Guadalupe, in the State of Arizona) part of or associated with an urban area and which (1) has a population not in excess of 2,500 inhabitants, or (2) has a population in excess of 2,500 but not in excess of 10,000 if it is rural in character, or (3) has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 20,000, and (A) is not contained within a standard metropolitan statistical area, and (B) has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. For purposes of this subchapter, any area classified as “rural” or a “rural area” prior to October 1, 1990, and determined not to be “rural” or a “rural area” as a result of data received from or after the 1990 decennial census shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000, if such area has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 25,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the city of Plainview, Texas, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter, and the city of Altus, Oklahoma, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000.
Source
- 1998–200042 U.S.C. § 1490The Public Health and Welfare · Rural and rural area defined · as used in this subchapter
As used in this subchapter, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any open country, or any place, town, village, or city which is not (except in the cases of Pajaro, in the State of California, and Guadalupe, in the State of Arizona) part of or associated with an urban area and which (1) has a population not in excess of 2,500 inhabitants, or (2) has a population in excess of 2,500 but not in excess of 10,000 if it is rural in character, or (3) has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 20,000, and (A) is not contained within a standard metropolitan statistical area, and (B) has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. For purposes of this subchapter, any area classified as “rural” or a “rural area” prior to October 1, 1990, and determined not to be “rural” or a “rural area” as a result of data received from or after the 1990 or 2000 decennial census shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2010, if such area has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 25,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the city of Plainview, Texas, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter, and the city of Altus, Oklahoma, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000.
Source
- 2000–201442 U.S.C. § 1490The Public Health and Welfare · Rural and rural area defined · as used in this subchapter
Community facility loans and grants.—For the purpose of community facility direct and guaranteed loans and grants under paragraphs (1), (19), (20), (21), and (24) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 20,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2002–20087 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
Community facility loans and grants.—For the purpose of community facility direct and guaranteed loans and grants under paragraphs (1), (19), (20), (21), and (24) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms "rural" and "rural area" mean any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2008–20167 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
Community facility loans and grants.—For the purpose of community facility direct loans and grants under paragraphs (1), (19), (20), and (21) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms "rural" and "rural area" mean any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2018–20197 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
Except as provided otherwise in this chapter, the term “rural area” means the farm and nonfarm population of—
(A) any area described in section 1991(a)(13)(C) of this title; and
(B) any area within a service area of a borrower for which a borrower has an outstanding loan made under subchapters I through V as of the date of enactment of this paragraph.
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- 2008–present7 U.S.C. § 913Agriculture · Definitions · in this chapter
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “rural area” has the meaning given such term in section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title. If feasible, the Secretary shall treat a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent modification of the Goldsmith Modification, originally published in the Federal Register on February 27, 1992 (57 Fed. Reg. 6725) as a rural area for purposes of this paragraph.
Source
- 2003–present42 U.S.C. § 1395MThe Public Health and Welfare · Special payment rules for particular items and services · under this part
For the purpose of community facility direct and guaranteed loans and grants under paragraphs (1), (19), (20), (21), and (24) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2014–20187 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
For the purpose of community facility direct loans and grants under paragraphs (1), (19), (20), and (21) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2019–present7 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
For the purpose of water and waste disposal grants and direct and guaranteed loans provided under paragraphs (1), (2), and (24) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of no more than 10,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2014–20187 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
For the purpose of water and waste disposal grants and direct loans provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of no more than 10,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2019–present7 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
In general.—Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any area other than—
(i) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and
(ii) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town.
Source
- 2002–20087 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
In general.—Subject to subparagraphs (B) through (G), the terms "rural" and "rural area" mean any area other than—
(i) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and
(ii) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town described in clause (i).
Source
- 2008–20167 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
In general.—Subject to subparagraphs (B) through (I), the terms "rural" and "rural area" mean any area other than—
(i) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and
(ii) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town described in clause (i).
Source
- 2018–20197 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
In this paragraph, the term “rural area” means any area other than an area within a metropolitan statistical area or within the outer boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more (based on the most recent decennial census of the United States).
Source
- 1994–20228 U.S.C. § 1153Aliens and Nationality · Allocation of immigrant visas · in this section
In this subsection, the term “rural area” means an area that is outside an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000.
Source
- 2020–202123 U.S.C. § 117Highways · High priority projects program · under this section
Rural area defined.—In this subsection, the term "rural area" means an area that is outside an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000.
Source
- 2015–present23 U.S.C. § 117Highways · High priority projects program · under this section
Rural area.—The term "rural area" means an area encompassing a population of less than 50,000 people that has not been designated in the most recent decennial census as an "urbanized area" by the Secretary of Commerce.
Source
- 2012–present49 U.S.C. § 5302Transportation · Definitions · in this chapter
Subject to subparagraphs (B) through (G), the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any area other than—
(i) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and
(ii) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town described in clause (i).
Source
- 2014–20187 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
Subject to subparagraphs (B) through (I), the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any area other than—
(i) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and
(ii) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town described in clause (i).
Source
- 2019–present7 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
The term “rural area” and “rural community” mean—
(A) any area or community, respectively, no part of which is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area by the Office of Management and Budget;
(B) any area or community, respectively, that is—
(i) within an area designated as a metropolitan statistical area or considered as part of a metropolitan statistical area; and
(ii) located in a rural census tract; or
(C) any federally recognized Indian tribe.
Source
- 2013–present42 U.S.C. § 13925The Public Health and Welfare · Definitions and grant provisions · in this subchapter
The term “rural area” and “rural community” mean—
(A) any area or community, respectively, no part of which is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area by the Office of Management and Budget; or
(B) any area or community, respectively, that is—
(i) within an area designated as a metropolitan statistical area or considered as part of a metropolitan statistical area; and
(ii) located in a rural census tract.
Source
- 2005–201342 U.S.C. § 13925The Public Health and Welfare · Definitions and grant provisions · in this subchapter
The term “rural area” has the meaning given such term in section 1393(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Source
- 1994–present42 U.S.C. § 1397FThe Public Health and Welfare · Additional grants · as used in this section
The term “rural area” has the meaning given such term in section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 [42 U.S.C. 1490].
Source
- 1994–present12 U.S.C. § 1441ABanks and Banking · Thrift Depositor Protection Oversight Board and Resolution Trust Corporation · under this section
The term “rural area” has the meaning given the term in section 950bb(b)(3) of this title.
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- 2018–present7 U.S.C. § 950AAAAgriculture · Definitions · in this chapter
The term “rural area” means—
(A) a nonmetropolitan statistical area;
(B) an area designated as a rural area by any law or regulation of a State; or
(C) a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent rural urban commuting area code as set forth by the Office of Management and Budget).
Source
- 2019–present42 U.S.C. § 254CThe Public Health and Welfare · Rural emergency medical service training and equipment assistance program · in this section
The term "rural area" means—
(A) a nonmetropolitan statistical area;
(B) an area designated as a rural area by any law or regulation of a State; or
(C) a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent rural urban commuting area code as set forth by the Office of Management and Budget).
The Secretary may not award a grant under this section to an entity unless the entity agrees that the entity will make available (directly or through contributions from other public or private entities) non-Federal contributions toward the activities to be carried out under the grant in an amount equal to 10 percent of the amount received under the grant.
Source
- 2018–201942 U.S.C. § 254CThe Public Health and Welfare · Rural emergency medical service training and equipment assistance program · in this section
The term “rural area” means a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants.
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- 2005–present7 U.S.C. § 918CAgriculture · Rural and remote communities electrification grants · in this section
The term "rural area" means a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 100,000 inhabitants.
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- 2020–present10 U.S.C. § 2391Armed Forces · Military base reuse studies and community planning assistance · in this section
The term "rural area" means a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 50,000 inhabitants.
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- 2018–202010 U.S.C. § 2391Armed Forces · Military base reuse studies and community planning assistance · in this section
The term “rural area” means an area encompassing a population of less than 50,000 people that has not been designated in the most recent decennial census as an “urbanized area” by the Secretary of Commerce.
Source
- 202149 U.S.C. § 5302Transportation · Definitions · in this chapter
The term “rural area” means any area other than an area within a metropolitan statistical area (as designated by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget) or within the outer boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more (based on the most recent decennial census of the United States).
Source
- 2022–present8 U.S.C. § 1153Aliens and Nationality · Allocation of immigrant visas · in this section
The term “rural area” means any area other than—
(i) an area described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 1991(a)(13)(A) of this title; and
(ii) a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2008–20187 U.S.C. § 950BBAgriculture · Access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas · under this section
The term “rural area” means any area other than—
(i) an area described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 1991(a)(13)(A) of this title; and
(ii) in the case of a grant or direct loan, a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2018–present7 U.S.C. § 950BBAgriculture · Access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas · under this section
The term “rural area” means any area which is—
(A) outside of a metropolitan statistical area (within the meaning of section 143(k)(2)(B)), or
(B) determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to be a rural area.
Source
- 1994–present26 U.S.C. § 1393Internal Revenue Code · Definitions and special rules · for purposes of this subchapter
the term “rural area” means any county or other political subdivision of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States that is designated as a rural area by the Bureau of the Census; and
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- 2022–present15 U.S.C. § 636Commerce and Trade · Additional powers · for purposes of this chapter
the term “rural area” means any political subdivision or unincorporated area—
(i) in a nonmetropolitan county (as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture) or its equivalent thereof; or
(ii) in a metropolitan county or its equivalent that has a resident population of less than 20,000 if the Small Business Administration has determined such political subdivision or area to be rural.
Source
- 1997–202015 U.S.C. § 636Commerce and Trade · Additional powers · for purposes of this chapter
the term "rural area" means any political subdivision or unincorporated area—
(i) in a nonmetropolitan county (as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture) or its equivalent thereof; or
(ii) in a metropolitan county or its equivalent that has a resident population of less than 20,000 if the Small Business Administration has determined such political subdivision or area to be rural.22
Source
- 2020–202215 U.S.C. § 636Commerce and Trade · Additional powers · for purposes of this chapter
the term “rural area” means any political subdivision or unincorporated area—
(i) in a nonmetropolitan county (as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture) or its equivalent thereof; or
(ii) in a metropolitan county or its equivalent that has a resident population of less than 20,000 if the Small Business Administration has determined such political subdivision or area to be rural.23
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- 2022–202515 U.S.C. § 636Commerce and Trade · Additional powers · for purposes of this chapter
the term “rural area” means any political subdivision or unincorporated area—
(i) in a nonmetropolitan county (as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture) or its equivalent thereof; or
(ii) in a metropolitan county or its equivalent that has a resident population of less than 20,000 if the Small Business Administration has determined such political subdivision or area to be rural; and
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- 1994–present15 U.S.C. § 636Commerce and Trade · Additional powers · for purposes of this chapter
The terms “rural area” and “rural community” mean—
(A) any area or community, respectively, no part of which is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area by the Office of Management and Budget;
(B) any area or community, respectively, that is—
(i) within an area designated as a metropolitan statistical area or considered as part of a metropolitan statistical area; and
(ii) located in a county where at least 75 percent of the population is rural; or
(C) any area or community, respectively, located in a State that has population density of less than 30 persons per square mile (as reported in the most recent decennial census), and of which at least 1.25 percent of the total acreage of such State is under Federal jurisdiction, provided that no metropolitan city (as such term is defined in section 5302 of this title) in such State is the sole beneficiary of the grant amounts awarded under this section.
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- 2010–present42 U.S.C. § 11408The Public Health and Welfare · Rural homelessness grant program · for purposes of this section
The terms “rural area” and “rural community” mean—
(A) any area or community, respectively, no part of which is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area by the Office of Management and Budget; or
(B) any area or community, respectively, that is—
(i) within an area designated as a metropolitan statistical area or considered as part of a metropolitan statistical area; and
(ii) located in a rural census tract.
Source
- 1994–201042 U.S.C. § 11408The Public Health and Welfare · Rural homelessness grant program · for purposes of this section
Water and waste disposal grants and direct and guaranteed loans.—For the purpose of water and waste disposal grants and direct and guaranteed loans provided under paragraphs (1), (2), and (24) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms "rural" and "rural area" mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of no more than 10,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2002–20167 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter
Water and waste disposal grants and direct loans.—For the purpose of water and waste disposal grants and direct loans provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1926(a) of this title, the terms "rural" and "rural area" mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of no more than 10,000 inhabitants.
Source
- 2018–20197 U.S.C. § 1991Agriculture · Definitions · as used in this chapter