USDA ERS - Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America: Documentation

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Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America

Documentation

Indicators

People
Jobs
Agriculture
County classifications

Data Definitions and Sources

Indicators

Data Definitions and Sources

People

Population change rate, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Change over 10-year period
Year(s): 2000-2010
Definition:Change in population between April 1, 2000 and April 1, 2010 as a percentage of the initial population

Net migration rate, 2000-2009
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Program
Type of data: Change over 9-year period
Year(s): 2000-2009
Definition: Change in county population between April 1, 2000 and July 1, 2009 due to net migration (including both domestic migration and immigration) as a percentage of the initial population

Natural population change rate, 2000-2009
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Program
Type of data: Change over 9-year period
Year(s): 2000-2009
Definition: Change in population between April 1, 2000 and July 1, 2009 due to natural change (number of births minus number of deaths) as a percentage of the initial population

Population density, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Population per square mile: county population divided by size of county land area in square miles

Population size, 2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimate Program
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): July 1, 2011
Definition: County population

Population size, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: County population

Percent under age 18, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population under the age of 18

Percent 65 years or older, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population 65 years old or older

Percent Non-Hispanic White, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population that self-identifies race as White and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race

Percent Non-Hispanic African American, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population that self-identifies race as Black or African-American and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race

Percent Non-Hispanic Asian, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population that self-identifies race as Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Other Asian and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race

Percent Non-Hispanic Native American, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population that self-identifies race as American Indian or Alaska Native and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race

Percent Hispanic, 2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population that self-identifies as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino, regardless of race

Percent Multiple Race, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): April 1, 2010
Definition: Percent of county population that self-identifies as two or more races, regardless of self-identity as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino

Population change rate Non-Hispanic White, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Percent change in the population that self-identifies as White, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population change rate Non-Hispanic African American, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Percent change in the population that self-identifies as Black or African-American, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population change rate Non-Hispanic Asian, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Percent change in the population that self-identifies as Asian, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population change rate Non-Hispanic Native American, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Percent change in the population that self-identifies as Native American, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population change rate Hispanic, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Percent change in the population that self-identifies as Spanish, Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race, between 2000 and 2010

Population change rate Multiple Race, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Percent change in the population that self-identifies as two or more races, regardless of self-identity as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino between, 2000 and 2010

Population size Non-Hispanic White, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Population in county that self-identifies as White, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population size Non-Hispanic African American, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Population in county that self-identifies as Black or African-American, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population size Non-Hispanic Asian, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Population in county that self-identifies as Asian, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population size Non-Hispanic Native American, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Population in county that self-identifies as Native American, and that does not self-identify as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino; does not include people who report more than one race, between 2000 and 2010

Population size Hispanic, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Population in county that self-identifies as Spanish, Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race 2000 and 2010

Population size Multiple Race, 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population
Type of data: Point-in-time estimate
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Population in county that self-identifies as two or more races, regardless of self-identity as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino between 2000 and 2010

Percent foreign born, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county population born outside the United States, regardless of citizenship status, excluding population born at sea

Percent European born, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county population born in Europe, regardless of citizenship status

Percent Mexican born, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county population born in Mexico, regardless of citizenship status

Immigration rate, 2000-2009
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Program
Type of data: Change over 9-year period
Year(s): 2000-2009
Definition: Change in population between April 1, 2000 and July 1, 2009 due to immigration, as a percentage of the initial population

Percent non-English speaking, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county households that are linguistically isolated, defined as households in which all members 14 years old or older have some difficulty with English

Percent with no high school degree, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county population 25 years old or older whose highest completed level of schooling was 12th grade or lower and who do not have a high school degree

Percent with high school degree only, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county population 25 years old or older whose highest completed level of schooling was 12th grade and who have a high school degree

Percent with some college experience, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county population 25 years old or older with some college credit but no bachelor's degree or higher; includes those with associate's degree

Percent with college degree or higher, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county population 25 years old or older with bachelor's degree or higher

Average household size, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Average size of households: Number of people in the county divided by the number of households

Percent female-headed family households, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county households headed by a female with no husband present

Percent 65+ living alone households, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of county households with one person 65 years old or older living alone

Percent of homes owned and occupied by the owner, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of occupied housing units in the county that are owner occupied, 2007-2011

Veterans

Percent of the population that are veterans, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian county population 18 years and over that are veterans

Percent of veterans that served in the Gulf War period (09/01 or later), 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian veteran population 18 years and over that served during the Gulf War period from September 2001 or later. Veterans may have also served in other periods

Percent of veterans that served in the Gulf War period (08/90-08/01), 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian veteran population 18 years and over that served during the Gulf War period from August 1990 - August 2001. Veterans may have also served in other periods

Percent of veterans that served in the Vietnam Era, 2006-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian veteran population 18 years and over that served during the Vietnam era. Veterans may have also have served in other periods

Percent of veterans that served in the Korean War period, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian veterans population 18 years and over that served during the Korean War period. Veterans may have also served in other periods

Percent of veterans that served in the World War II period, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian veteran population 18 years and over that served during the World War II period. Veterans may have also served in other periods

Percent of veterans that are male, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian veteran population 18 years and over that are male

Percent of veterans that are female, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of the civilian veteran population 18 years and over that are female

Percent of veterans that are Non-Hispanic White, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veteran population 18 years and over that self-identifies as White alone and not Hispanic.

Percent of veterans that are Black or African American, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veteran population 18 years and over that self-identifies as Black or African Amercan alone

Percent of veterans that are Hispanic, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veteran population 18 years and over that self-identifies as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino, regardless of race

Percent of veterans of another race or of two or more races, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veteran population 18 years and over that self-identifies as some other race or as more than one race

Median income of veterans with income in the past 12 months, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Median income of civilian vetereans 18 years and over that had income in the last 12 months (in 2011 inflation-adjusted dollars)

Percent of veterans 25 years and over with less than a high school education, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veterans 25 years and over that have less than a high school diploma

Percent of veterans 25 years and over with a high school diploma or GED, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veterans 25 years and over with a high school diploma or equivalency

Percent of veterans 25 years and over with some college or an associate's degree, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veterans 25 years and over that have some college education or an associate's degree

Percent of veterans 25 years and over with a bachelor's degree or higer, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veterans 25 years and over that have a bachelor's degree or higher

Labor force participation rate for veterans age 18 to 64, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veterans age 18 to 64 that are employed or looking for work

Unemployment rate for veterans age 18 to 64, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of civilian veterans age 18 to 64 that report they are unemployed

Jobs

Unemployment rate, 2011
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Type of data: Annual average of monthly labor reports
Year(s): 2011
Definition: Number of unemployed people 16 years and older as a percent of the total county labor force

Employment change rate, 2010-2011
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Type of data: Change over 2-year period, annual averages of monthly labor reports
Year(s): 2010-2011
Definition: Change in number of jobs in a county between 2010 and 2011, as a percent of the initial level of jobs

Unemployment rate, 2010
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Type of data: Annual average of monthly labor reports
Year(s): 2010
Definition: Number of unemployed people 16 years and older as a percent of the total county labor force

Employment change rate, 2009-2010
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Type of data: Change over 2-year period, annual averages of monthly labor reports
Year(s): 2009-2010
Definition: Change in number of jobs in a county between 2009 and 2010, as a percent of the initial level of jobs

Unemployment rate, 2009
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Type of data: Annual average of monthly labor reports
Year(s): 2009
Definition: Number of unemployed people 16 years and older as a percent of the total county labor force

Employment change rate, 2008-2009
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Type of data: Change over 2-year period, annual averages of monthly labor reports
Year(s): 2008-2009
Definition: Change in number of jobs in a county between 2008 and 2009, as a percent of the initial level of jobs

Employment change rate, 2007-2011
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Type of data: Change over 5-year period, annual averages of monthly labor reports
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Change in number of jobs in a county between 2007 and 2011, as a percent of the initial level of jobs

Percent employed in agriculture, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of employed persons 16 years old or older employed in agriculture

Percent employed in manufacturing, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of employed persons 16 years old or older employed in manufacturing

Percent employed in services, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of employed persons 16 years old or older employed in services

Percent employed in government, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Percent of employed persons 16 years old or older employed in government

Median household income, 2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates
Type of data: Annual average estimates based on statistical modeling, combining data from administrative records, intercensal population estimates, the decennial census and the American Community Survey.
Year(s): 2011
Definition: Median income by household: Income level that divides county households in half, one half with income above the median and the other half with income below the median; includes income of all household members 15 years old or older

Per capita income, 2007-2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey
Type of data: Multi-year average of monthly surveys
Year(s): 2007-2011
Definition: Household income earned during the previous 12 months, in 2011 inflation-adjusted dollars, divided by the county population

Poverty rate, 2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates
Type of data: Annual average estimates based on statistical modeling, combining data from administrative records, intercensal population estimates, the decennial census and the American Community Survey
Year(s): 2011
Definition: Percent of county population living in families with income below their poverty threshold; poverty status thresholds vary by family size, number of children, and age of householder; if a family's before tax money income is less than the dollar value of their threshold, then that family and every individual in it are considered to be in poverty. For people not living in families, poverty status is determined by comparing the individual's income to his or her poverty threshold

Poverty rate for children age 0-17, 2011
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates
Type of data: Annual average estimates based on statistical modeling, combining data from administrative records, intercensal population estimates, the decennial census and the American Community Survey
Year(s): 2011
Definition: Percent of county population under age 17 living in families with income below their poverty threshold; poverty status thresholds vary by family size, number of children, and age of householder; if a family's before tax money income is less than the dollar value of their threshold, then that family and every individual in it are considered to be in poverty. For people not living in families, poverty status is determined by comparing the individual's income to his or her poverty threshold

Agriculture

Number of farms, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Number of agricultural operations in the county that produces, or normally would produce, $1,000 or more of agricultural products per year for sale

Percent land in farms, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Land reported as part of agricultural operations in the county, as a percent of total county land area. The proportion of land area in farms may exceed 100 percent because some operations have land in two or more counties, but all acres are tabulated in the principal county of operation. The approximate land area data were supplied by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census

Average value of agricultural products sold, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Market value of agricultural products sold by farm operations in the county, including landlord's share and direct sales, divided by the number of farm operations

Government payments per operation, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Government payments received by farm operations in the county divided by the number of farm operations; government payments include those from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP), and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), plus government payments received from Federal, State, and local programs other than the CRP, WRP, FWP, and CREP, and Commodity Credit Corporation loans

Percent of operators working off-farm, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of principal farm operators in the county that worked in an off-farm job or jobs 200 days or more during the year

Percent of farms with less than $10,000 in sales, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of farm operations in the county that sold less than $10,000 of agricultural commodities during the year

Percent of farms with high-speed internet access, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of farm operations in the county reporting high-speed internet access

Percent of farms with African American principal operators, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of principal farm operators in the county that self-identifies race as Black or African-American

Percent of farms with Hispanic principal operators, 2007 Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of principal farm operators in the county that self-identifies as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino

Percent of farms with American Indian or Alaskan Native principal operators, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of principal farm operators in the county that self-identifies as American Indian or Alaskan Native

Percent of farms with Asian principal operators, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of principal farm operators in the county that self-identifies as Asian

Percent of farms with women operators, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Women as percent of principal farm operators in the county

Percent of operators 65 years of age and over, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of principal farm operators in the county 65 years old or older

Percent of operators with less than 10 years on present farm, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of principal farm operators in the county that have been on the present on current farm less than 10 years

Percent of farms with direct sales for human consumption, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of farm operations in the county that sold agricultural commodities directly to individual consumers for human consumption

Percent of farms with agritourism or recreational services, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of farm operations in the county that received income form agritourism or recreational services, such as farm or winery tours, hay rides, hunting, and fishing

Percent of farms with value-added commodities, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of farm operations in the county that reported producing and selling value-added crops, livestock or products such as beef jerky, fruit jams, jelly, preserves or floral arrangements

Percent of farms using Community Supported Agriculture, 2007
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Agriculture
Type of data: 1-year summary, from census of farms conducted once every 5 years
Year(s): 2007
Definition: Percent of farm operations in the county that reported marketing products through a community supported agriculture (CSA) arrangement

County classifications

Urban Influence code, 2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, using data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census
Type of data: Point-in-time census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: 12-level classification of counties by metro-micro-nonmetro status, location, and size of largest place

Rural-urban continuum code, 2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, using data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census
Type of data: Point-in-time census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: 10-level classification of counties by metro-nonmetro status, location, and urban size

Metro, 2000
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Statistical Programs and Standards
Type of data: Point-in-time, decennial census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of counties by metro or nonmetro definition, where 1=metro county; 0=nonmetro county; metro areas include all counties containing one or more urbanized areas: high-density urban areas containing 50,000 people or more; metro areas also include outlying counties that are economically tied to the central counties, as measured by the share of workers commuting on a daily basis to the central counties. Nonmetro counties are outside the boundaries of metro areas and have no cities with 50,000 residents or more.

Nonmetro, 2000
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Statistical Programs and Standards
Type of data: Point-in-time, decennial census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of counties by metro or nonmetro definition, where 1=nonmetro county; 0=metro county; nonmetro counties are outside the boundaries of metro areas and have no urban areas with 50,000 residents or more

Micropolitan, 2000
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Statistical Programs and Standards
Type of data: Point-in-time, decennial census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of counties by micropolitan (micro) definition, where 1=micro county; 0=outside micro areas; micro areas include all counties containing one or more urban areas containing 10,000-49,999 people; micro areas also include outlying counties that are economically tied to the central counties, as measured by the share of workers commuting on a daily basis to the central counties

Nonmetro, outside micropolitan, 2000
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Statistical Programs and Standards
Type of data: Point-in-time, decennial census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of counties by micropolitan (micro) definition, where 1=outside a micro area; 0=all other counties; outside micro counties include no urban areas with 10,000 or more people

Nonmetro, adjacent to metro, 2000
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Statistical Programs and Standards and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service
Type of data: Point-in-time, decennial census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of nonmetro counties by adjacency to metro areas, where 1=nonmetro county adjacent to metro; 0=all other counties; nonmetro counties are outside the boundaries of metro areas and have no urban areas with 50,000 residents or more; adjacent nonmetro counties must be both physically adjacent to a metro county and have at least 2 percent of employed labor force commuting to central metro counties

Nonmetro, nonadjacent to metro, 2000
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Statistical Programs and Standards and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service
Type of data: Point-in-time, decennial census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of nonmetro counties by lack of adjacency to metro areas, where 1=nonmetro county not adjacent to a metro county; 0=all other counties; nonmetro counties are outside the boundaries of metro areas and have no urban areas with 50,000 residents or more; non-adjacent counties lack physical adjacency to a metro county, or are physically adjacent but have less than 2 percent of employed labor force commuting to central metro counties.

Economic dependence, 1998-2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, County Typology Codes, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis
Type of data: Multi-year averages and point-in-time census data
Year(s): 1998-2000
Definition: Classification of counties by measures of earnings and employment, where 1=farm-dependent; 2=Mining-dependent ;3=Manufacturing-dependent 4=Federal/State Government-dependent; 5=Services-dependent; 6=Nonspecialized

Farm-dependent, 1998-2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, County Typology Codes, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis
Type of data: Multi-year averages and point-in-time census data
Year(s): 1998-2000
Definition: Classification of counties by measures of farm earnings and employment, where 1=farm-dependent county; 0=all other counties; a county is defined as farm dependent if farm earnings accounted for an annual average of 15 percent or more of total county earnings during 1998-2000, or farm occupations accounted for 15 percent or more of all employed county residents reporting an occupation in 2000

Manufacturing-dependent, 1998-2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, County Typology Codes, using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis
Type of data: Multi-year averages
Year(s): 1998-2000
Definition: Classification of counties by earnings in manufacturing, where 1=manufacturing-dependent county; 0=all other counties; a county is defined as manufacturing dependent if manufacturing earnings accounted for an annual average of 25 percent or more of total county earnings during 1998-2000

Nonmetro recreation-dependent, 1997-2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, County Typology Codes, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis
Type of data: Multi-year averages and point-in-time census data
Year(s): 1997-2000
Definition: Classification of nonmetro counties by measures indicating high recreational activity, where 1=recreation-dependent county; 0=all other counties; measures of recreational activity were: (1) wage and salary employment in entertainment and recreation, accommodations, eating and drinking places, and real estate as a percentage of all employment reported in the Census Bureau's County Business Patterns for 1999; (2) percentage of total personal income reported for these same categories by the Bureau of Economic Analysis; (3) percentage of housing units intended for seasonal or occasional use reported in the 2000 Census; and (4) per capita receipts from motels and hotels as reported in the 1997 Census of Business

Retirement-destination, 2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, County Typology Codes, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau
Type of data: Change over 10-year period
Year(s): 1990-2000
Definition: Classification of counties by in-migration of older residents, where 1=retirement-destination county; 0=all other counties; a county is defined as a retirement destination if the number of residents 60 years old or older grew by 15 percent or more between 1990 and 2000 due to net in-migration

Creative class counties, 2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Creative Class Codes, using data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Type of data: Point-in-time census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of counties by number of people in creative occupations, where 1=creative class county; 0=all other counties; a creative class county falls in the top quartile of counties ranked by percent of employed persons 16 years old or older in occupations that involve "thinking creatively." This skill element is defined as developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions

High natural amenities
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Natural Amenity Scale
Type of data: data on physical characteristics, mostly time invariant
Year(s): n/a
Definition: Classification of counties by physical attributes, where 1=high natural amenities county; 0=all other counties; a high natural amenities county falls in the top quartile of counties ranked by the ERS natural amenities scale; the scale combines six measures of climate, topography, and water area that reflect environmental qualities most people prefer

Persistent poverty, 1970-2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, County Typology Codes, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau
Type of data: point-in-time census data
Year(s): 1970-2000
Definition: Classification of counties by level of poverty over four decades, where 1=persistent poverty county; 0=all other counties; a county was classified as persistent poverty if 20 percent or more of its residents were poor as measured by each of the last four decennial censuses

Low education, 2000
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, County Typology Codes, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau
Type of data: point-in-time census data
Year(s): 2000
Definition: Classification of counties by level of education, where 1=low-education county; 0=all other counties; a county was classified as low-education if 25 percent or more of residents 25 years old or older had neither a high school education or GED

High out-migration, 1988-2008
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau
Type of data: multi-year population estimates
Year(s): 1988-2008
Definition: Classification of counties by level of net out-migration, where 1=high out-migration county; 0=all other counties; a county was classified as high out-migration if it had 10 percent or higher population loss from net migration, July 1988-July 2008

Last updated: Thursday, January 24, 2013

For more information contact: Timothy Parker and John Cromartie

Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America

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