How to Interpret the Rural/Urban Classification Search Results

1.

Quick Interpretation of the Search Results

Rural: If your county is listed in regular type on the Table of Rural Areas by State, your entire county is classified as rural. If your county is listed in bold type, a portion of the county is classified as rural, and the table further identifies the census tracts within such county that are (*ONLY in) or are not (**EXCEPT in) considered rural. IF your location, as determined by your specific street address, is considered rural, you are eligible for the rural discount in the discount matrix applicable to the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Program.

Urban: If your county is not listed on the Table of Rural Areas by State, or if your county is listed in bold type and states **EXCEPT in the census tract number in which your specific street address falls, you are considered urban. You are eligible for the urban discount in the discount matrix applicable to the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Program.

2.

Definitions of "Rural" and "Urban"

These categories are based on definitions adopted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP/HHS). Counties are first classified as either rural or urban depending on the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in which they are located.

Rural: Schools and libraries located in non-metropolitan counties, as designated by the MSA method, shall be considered rural. However, portions of urban metropolitan counties may be classified as rural if their census block or tract number is identified by the "Goldsmith Modification" methodology. The "Goldsmith Modification" identifies rural "pocket" areas within larger urban metropolitan counties.

Urban: Schools and libraries located in metropolitan counties, as measured by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) method, shall be designated as urban, except for those schools and libraries located within metropolitan counties identified by census block or tract in the "Goldsmith Modification."

3.

Example of How to Interpret Search Results

An example of how the Table of Rural Areas by State can be used is illustrated below:

Sample section of the Table of Rural Areas by State

If a school is located in a Massachusetts county that is not identified on the Table of Rural Areas by State, it would be considered "urban." For example, Middlesex County does not appear on this list and therefore the entire county would be considered "urban." Dukes County, which is listed in regular type, would be considered entirely "rural." Franklin County, in bold type, would be considered "rural" EXCEPT in Sunderland. Hampden County, also in bold type, would be considered "rural" ONLY in certain areas, specifically Census Tract 8130 Block Groups 3-6 and in Census Tract 8138 Block Group 2.

4.

Alternatives for Determining Your Rural or Urban Status

You may contact the U.S. Census Bureau within your state for help in determining rural status. If your school is located in an urban county that has eligible census tracts (bold face on the Table of Rural Areas by State), the census tract number associated with the organization’s address can be determined by calling the Regional Census Bureau Office or on the Internet at http://tier2.census.gov/ctsl/ctsl.htm.

To determine whether your street address is within one of the listed tract numbers you may also use the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) web site at http://www.ffiec.gov.

• First, under Information Services, select FFIEC Geocoding/Mapping Systems.

• Next, input the school or library’s street address and zip code.

• The Tract/BNA Code for that location will be provided.

• Compare this number to your county’s "Goldsmith Modification" numbers to determine if your location is rural.