what is an urban area

An urban area is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment. Urban areas originate through urbanization, and researchers categorize them as cities, towns, conurbations, or suburbs. The term "urban area" contrasts with rural areas such as villages and hamlets. An urban area includes the city itself, as well as the surrounding areas. Urban areas consist of a densely-settled urban core, plus surrounding developed areas. The Census Bureaus urban areas represent densely developed territory, encompassing residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses. For the 2020 Census, an urban area comprises a densely settled core of census blocks that meet minimum housing unit density and/or population density requirements. To qualify as an urban area, the territory identified according to criteria must encompass at least 2,000 housing units or have a population of at least 5,000. Urban areas have the most human-built structures, creating opportunities for health such as sidewalks and public transit, but also challenges to health such as sedentary commuting and air quality.