In both everyday conversation, political and social discourse we tend to speak about “rural America” as if it identifies a single way of life throughout all rural communities in our country. A new study, however, has defined five different types of rural communities the exist just in Ohio.
While the list certainly includes traditional farming areas that whose imagery reflects the stereotypes of “rural communities,” the research suggests communities of the rural poor and booming small towns attracting, young affluent adults from nearby cities.
Out of the five types of rural communities, three types were found near the outskirts of major metropolitan areas. The study found that the lines between urban and rural areas is becoming increasingly blurred and can be very dynamic.
The study found that rural areas attract very different kinds of people who are making their homes in these areas for a variety of reasons. Recognizing these differences could help experts better understand and help these communities.
While the study was done only in Ohio, the researchers believe most states have a variety of types of rural communities and that they could differ, even greatly, from what was found in Ohio.
The research was published in the Journal of Land Use Science.