Author: Devon Brenner and Jesse Longhurst

Changing how rural areas are defined could change Americans’ understanding of rural life. For instance, the current data reveal that rural areas have less access to broadband internet and health care services.
But if the homes and communities of 18 million more Americans are added to those rural statistics, the numbers could look better. That rosier picture—which would not be the result of any actual changes to Americans’ lives—could reduce public and political pressure to improve life in rural communities.