The study of the changing population and composition of rural areas. Rural demography is a specialization within a much broader field of social demography. 

Tracing the source of the word “rural” to its historical origins leads to the Latin word rus, which is interpreted as meaning “the country,” the Indo-European word rewos meaning “space or wide,” and the Gothic word rums meaning “room or space.

Organized, collaborative action by denominations, congregations and church-related agencies on behalf of rural churches and their communities during the twentieth century.

The building of dams and other projects that facilitate navigation, flood control, pollution control, irrigation, recreation and water supply.

Individuals and firms involved in the production, distribution, marketing, processing, and sale of rice and rice by-products to domestic and international consumers.

Establishments engaged in selling merchandise and service for personal or household consumption.

Eating and drinking establishments that do business in communities with less than a population of 5,000 across the U.S.

“A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things” (Durkheim, 1947). Rural religion has been significantly altered by the general movement of American society to the city and the suburb. This change resulted in a precarious situation for the rural church. 

Future-oriented studies and action programs undertaken by groups of sub-state local governments, and/or sub-national state governments. 

The spatial mosaic of complex and varied natural and cultural environmental features, conditions and patterns that gives character to America’s distinctive regional landscapes. 

Leisure activity engaged in for the attainment of personal and social benefits.

A social structure that evolved with unique economic and environmental conditions for large-scale herding following its inception during the mercantilist period (Galaty and Johnson, 1990).

The degree to which human multifaceted potentials are reached on the individual, community and societal levels.

Generally the costs of providing public services are sensitive to economies of scale—the larger the number of consumers served, the lower the cost per consumer of providing the service.

Locally funded institutions that serve as the community’s information center, by acquiring, organizing, and disseminating information to meet customers’ demands. 

Quasi-governmental, nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that govern various aspects of an area’s housing (Northeast Washington Housing Solutions 2005).

Socially protected streams of benefit associated with land in rural areas. Property rights enumerate the multitude of ways that land may be used and thus help determine its value.

The lack of income or other resources needed to achieve a minimally acceptable standard of living.

An important year ’round source of reasonably priced quality egg and poultry meat products.

Everyday public activities in which citizens and their formal and informal leaders address problems or issues and establish common goals and rules that often shape the direction of local governments. 

Public programs, laws, actions, and decisions, especially at the federal level, that influence the use of technology to communicate over long distances. 

Policy relating to the conditions in a variety of dimensions of social life—economic dimensions (such as employment, income and poverty);

Those public policies that impact quality of family living for rural residents.

The range of efforts such as the creation of wealth, conservation of natural resources, enhancement of the capacity of rural people to identify and address their basic goals and needs, the provision of basic social service, and other activities aimed at improving personal and community quality of life.