nonmetropolitan

Nonmetropolitan is a geographic and statistical designation used to describe areas that lie outside metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). In the United States, a county is considered nonmetropolitan if it is not part of any MSA defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the Census Bureau. The term also encompasses micropolitan areas and rural counties that do not meet the core urban threshold of an MSA. It is commonly used in demographic, economic, and planning contexts to distinguish urban-centered regions from less densely populated areas.

Nonmetropolitan areas tend to have lower population density, greater land area per person, and economies based on agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing, or tourism. They may experience slower population growth and aging populations, with mixed access to services such as healthcare, higher education, transportation, and broadband connectivity. Economic performance can vary widely; some nonmetropolitan regions depend on resource extraction or agriculture, while others diversify through tourism, manufacturing, or remote work opportunities.

Policy use and implications: The nonmetropolitan designation helps researchers and policymakers target rural development, infrastructure, and economic diversification programs. Challenges commonly faced include job growth, workforce development, healthcare access, and digital connectivity. Yet nonmetropolitan areas can offer advantages such as lower costs of living, strong community networks, and proximity to natural assets. The term is used across disciplines, including demography, public health, economics, and regional planning, and is applied differently in other countries with distinct statistical systems.