6. URBAN POPULATION

Definition: The U.S. Census Bureau defines territory as “urban” if it lies within an area where the “core census block groups or blocks that have a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile and surrounding census blocks that have an overall density of at least 500 people per square mile.”[i] 

Significance:  Whether a population is rural or urban has an impact on the indicators. The availability of services, such as schools, hospitals, and amenities may be more difficult in a rural environment. A rural environment may be more closely related to farm employment. As a society becomes more urban, it may put more stress on the environment as more land is needed for development.      

HistoricAL/Trend Analysis, Percent of Population Living in an Urban Environment

Data reflect the urban population of South Carolina (SC), the United States (US), and the Southeast (SE) residing in urban areas.  The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Source: United States Census Bureau, Urban and Rural Population: 1900 - 1990

Source: United States Census Bureau, Decennial Census

Selected State Rankings, Population Living in an Urban Environment, 2000 (“1” represents state with highest percentage of population living in urban areas)

7.  RURAL POPULATION

HistoricAL/Trend Analysis, Percent of Population Living in a Rural Environment

Data reflect the rural population of South Carolina (SC), the United States (US), and the Southeast (SE) living in rural areas.  The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Source: United States Census Bureau, Urban and Rural Population: 1900 - 1990

Source: United States Census Bureau, Decennial Census

Selected State Rankings, Population Living in a Rural Environment, 2000 (“1” represents state with highest percentage of population living in rural environments)