Rural vs. UrbanFrank, Lindsey, Steven, Liz

What is Rural; What is Urban?What does each term mean?

The US Census Bureau’s Definition

For the 2010 Census, an urban area will comprise a densely settled core of census tracts and/or census blocks that meet minimum population density requirements, along with adjacent territory containing non-residential urban land uses as well as territory with low population density included to link outlying densely settled territory with the densely settled core.  To qualify as an urban area, the territory identified according to criteria must encompass at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of which reside outside institutional group quarters.  The Census Bureau identifies two types of urban areas:0 Urbanized Areas (UAs) of 50,000 or more people;0 Urban Clusters (UCs) of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people.“Rural” encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area

http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/msa_maps2008/msa2008_previews_html/cbsa_us_wall_1108.html

Historical Context

The typical S-curve of urbanization(varies from place to place regarding the onset time and steepness of the slope)

Beyond the Census: Cultural Characteristics

What cultural characteristics are associated with rural and urban? What are the stereotypes and why did they form?

Politics• The traditional “Red State/Blue State” map so familiar to most

Americans actually masks a Rural-Urban clash within states.• Since the late 1980’s the Political landscape of the US, as well as

Canada, has slowly shifted. • In 2004, the difference in Democratic support between the highest

and lowest populated counties was 25%.• This is a major break from traditional electoral structure- in the US,

one built around race, and in Canada, one built upon regionalism.• Race has been a defining issue in American politics from the

ratifying of the constitution through the Civil War and into the Nixon-Regan era, where the “solid south” and race-based politics defined party support.

• Canadian electoral politics began initially with French and Irish Catholics and English Protestants, as well as being polarized around cultural heritage and geographic location.

2008 Presidential Election by County

Where Did this Political Divide Come From?

• There are a number of factors which contribute to this growing Urban/Rural political and social divide. • Socioeconomic status, religion, lifestyle, and

education are among some of the major issues dividing these two groups.• Along with differing values, both rural and

urban populations tend to have stereotypical views of the other, only helping to further divide the two populations.

Stereotypes and Perceptions

• Recent work by Thomas Frank helps put an urbanite perspective on rural voters. Frank Suggests that ‘foolish’ rural voters have been duped by

Urban Religion/Spirituality

Rural Religion/Spirituality

0 Sterotype: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p51Ic7kgpA

0 Historically rural life centered around the church0 Provided charity and aid0 Educated children0 Facilitated marriages0 Consoled the grieving0 Buried the dead0 Served as a gathering and socializing place0 Farmer’s routines often followed the pattern of the church. 6

days labor and one day rest

More Rural Characteristics (unfinished)

0 Leisure time: Many rural communities revolve around agriculture. Their leisure time directly corresponds to these routines.

0 More family oriented because they are more secluded and all members of the family are required to help out their family. “the power of the family ideal to create moral boundaries and prescribe behavioral norms in this cohesive community. For these rural residents, the importance of “tradition” and “family values” defines them and their community. However, these concepts imply neither historical continuity nor a single family form. Instead, the fluid meanings of the terms allows them to dictate a focus on unique forms of care, as well as protection from certain abusive behaviors often associated with poverty and unemployment. In this community, family has been elevated to a moral category, and adherence to its norms is one of the few means left for individuals to achieve some sense of success in the absence of jobs and economic opportunities.”

0 Money: they are going to save more in case something happens to their crops?

0 Infrastructure: Internet (to grow business) closing the “digital divide”, Energy, clean drinking water

0Education: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cwb1Ubq9OU

0Healthcare: rural- lack of access to healthcare and providers

0 [Senate Democratic Rural Summit]

Urban Political Landscape

Cross Cultural ConflictHow do they clash, When do they clash?

When Do they Clash?

0When changing location tie in culture shock.0http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-221/ID-

221.html0http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/

0,9171,987489-3,00.html

BibliographyU.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. "About Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas."Census Bureau Home Page. 1 July 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://www.census.gov/population/www/metroareas/aboutmetro.html>.

Sherman, Jennifer. "Family Values, Rural Poverty, and the Moral Boundaries of “Tradition”" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Montreal Convention Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Aug 11, 2006 Online <PDF>. 2010-11-21 http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p97508_index.htmlhttp://www.jstor.org/stable/3744470?seq=11www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/adams/307c/kaplan1.ppt