Urban segments are found in areas with geographic density scores mostly between 80 and 99. They include both the downtowns of major cities and surrounding neighborhoods. Households within this classification live within the classic high-density neighborhoods found in the heart of America’s largest cities. While almost always anchored by the downtown central business district, these areas often extend beyond city limits and into surrounding jurisdictions to encompass most of America’s earliest suburban expansions.

Hub for multi-modal public transportation; frequent local public transportation and owning a personal vehicle is optional; central business district with expanded regional influence and often many national headquarters; all types of retail and services, flagship stores are common.

Suburban segments live in areas with geographic density scores between 40 and 90 and are tied closely to urban areas or second cities. Unlike second cities (defined below), suburban areas are not the population center of their surrounding community, but rather a continuation of the density decline from the city center. While some suburbs may be employment centers, their lifestyles and commuting patterns will be more tied to one another, or to the urban or second city core, than within themselves.

Central business district has regional influence that may extend 50-100 miles; served by many independent and national chain retailers and service operators, multiple super-regional malls within the urban area; public transportation includes bus and often light rail and/or subways.

Second City segments are found in areas less-densely populated than urban areas, with geographic density scores typically between 40 and 85. Similar to suburban areas in their densities, second cities are the population centers of their surrounding communities. As such, many are concentrated within America’s larger towns and smaller cities. This class also includes thousands of satellite cities, which are higher-density suburbs encircling major metropolitan centers, typically with far greater affluence than their small city cousins.

Many types of community and neighborhood national chain retailers and service providers, regional malls are common. Public transportation includes bus and occasionally light rail.

Town segments are found in areas where the geographic density scores range from 20 to 39. This category includes exurbs and towns. The town aspect of this class covers the thousands of small towns and villages scattered throughout the rural heartland, as well as the low-density areas far beyond the outer beltways and suburban rings of America’s major metros. Households in the exurban segments have slightly higher densities and are more affluent than their rural neighbors.

Usually has chain supermarkets and superdrug stores, often has a home improvement center and discount department store. Often located at junction of major highways.

Rural segments represent areas with the lowest geographic density scores, ranging between 0 and 20. These areas include farming communities, remote homesteads, and sparsely populated regions with minimal development. Characterized by wide distances between households and limited infrastructure, rural areas often rely on nearby towns or cities for employment, shopping, and services. Many of these communities are centered around agriculture, forestry, or other natural resource-based industries, maintaining a distinct cultural identity rooted in self-sufficiency and a connection to the land.

Few or no major chain retailers.

Population density >=15,000 persons per square mile.

Hub for multi-modal public transportation; frequent local public transportation and owning a personal vehicle is optional; central business district with expanded regional influence and often many national headquarters; all types of retail and services, flagship stores are common

Population density 8,000 to 15,000 per sq. mi. and total area population over 500,000.

Central business district has regional influence that may extend 50-100 miles; served by many independent and national chain retailers and service operators, multiple super-regional malls within the urban area; public transportation includes bus and often light rail and/or subways.

Population density 2,000 to 8,000 per sq. mi. and total area population over 100,000.

Many types of community and neighborhood national chain retailers and service providers, regional malls are common. Public transportation includes bus and occasionally light rail.

Population density 1,000-3,000 in town and quickly tapering to rural density with area population greater than 40,000.

Usually has chain supermarkets and superdrug stores, often has a home improvement center and discount department store. Often located at junction of major highways.

Population density <=800 persons per square mile.

Town population less than 20,000; few or no major chain retailers.