Starters Jonathan Milner Starters Jonathan Milner

What percent of Americans live in rural America?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. According to the data from the visual above, what was the first year in which more Americans lived in urban areas than in rural areas?

  2. According to the data from the visual above, what percent of American currently live in urban areas"?

  3. The Census Bureau’s urban-rural classification is a delineation of geographic areas, identifying both individual urban areas and the rural area of the nation. The Census Bureau’s urban areas represent densely developed territory, and encompass residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses. The Census Bureau delineates urban areas after each decennial census by applying specified criteria to decennial census and other data. Rural encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area. Identify the area in which you live as either urban or rural. Describe one trend in changes in rural and urban populations in the United States over time?

  4. The movement of populations from rural to urban areas is called urbanization. Throughout American history many Americans have moved to cities for job opportunities. The Great Migration was one of the largest movements of people in United States history. Approximately six million Black people moved from the American South to Northern, Midwestern, and Western cities roughly from the 1910s until the 1970s. What are some consequences of American urbanization?

  5. Based on the visual above, identify the percent of urban Americans and rural Americans in 50 years.

  6. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden won urban areas by a 22 point margin. Trump won rural areas by a 15 point margin. How do you think the rural urban divide will impact the 2024 presidential election?

  7. As rural areas shrink how will the Republican Party continue to be competitive in national elections?

  8. The Constitution was written for a largely rural population. Identify one structure of the American government that is a vestige of America’s rural past.

  9. If you were to update the Constitution (and you can because of the Amendment process!!!!) how would you change it to better reflect the urban majority of modern America?

  10. Think creatively: Why do you think urban Americans are more likely to be Democrats while rural Americans are more likely to be Republicans?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Tweet President Biden (@POTUS) / X or Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) / X and based on your knowledge of the urban rural divide let them know how they should campaign to win the 2024 election.

Get Creative

If rural America was a car and urban America was a car what kind of cars would they be?

Learning Extension

 
 
 
 

Glossary

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