A rural area is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. It is an open swath of land that has few homes or other buildings, and not very many people. Rural areas have a low population density and small settlements, and are typically described as agricultural areas and areas with forestry. Different countries have varying definitions of rural for statistical and administrative purposes. In rural areas, because of their unique economic and social dynamics, and relationship to land-based industry such as agriculture, forestry and resource extraction, the economics are very different from cities and can be subject to boom and bust cycles and vulnerability to extreme weather or natural disasters, such as droughts. In India, rural areas are also known as the countryside or a village and have a very low population density. In rural areas, agriculture is the chief source of livelihood along with fishing, cottage industries, pottery, etc. .
The United States Census Bureau defines rural areas as all territory, population, and housing units located outside urban areas. According to the current delineation, released in 2012 and based on the 2010 decennial census, rural areas comprise open country and settlements with fewer than 2,500 residents. Urban areas comprise larger places and densely settled areas around them. Urban areas do not necessarily follow municipal boundaries. They are essentially densely settled territory as it might be delineated by local officials, with residents clustered closely enough to support delivery of urban services such as public transportation, firefighting, and trash collection.
