Between the country and the concrete: Rediscovering the rural-urban fringe

Abstract

Substantial U.S. population growth in relatively rural areas adjacent to large urban areas is sparking renewed interest in the rural-urban fringe. This research identifies some of the roots of the rural-urban fringe concept and reviews recent scholarly interest in the related exurban concept. Analysis of primary and secondary data is conducted to examine the fringe in relation to both urban-suburban areas and rural areas of Ohio, seeking to determine the extent to which the fringe is similar to or dissimilar from the suburbs or more rural areas. Comparisons are made across a number of ecological, occupational, and sociocultural attributes. Differences between incorporated (cities and villages) and unincorporated (township) areas are also considered. Findings support the notion of the fringe being distinct from the suburbs, with more modest differences compared to more rural places. Practical implications of this research are discussed as are future research needs for further understanding an increasingly important settlement area of the United States. © 2008 American Sociological Association.