2006 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties

NCHS data systems are often used to study the association between urbanization level of residence and health and to monitor the health of urban and rural residents. Conducting such analyses requires an urban-rural classification scheme. This report describes a six-level urban-rural classification scheme developed by the National Center for Health Statistics for the 3,141 U.S. counties and county-equivalents. The most urban category consists of large metropolitan central counties and the mos