RUCA Urban-Rural Codes
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RUCA Urban-Rural Scale

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RUCA (rural-urban commuting area) codes are an Urban-Rural classification scale created by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

A value of one indicates 'most urban' while a ten would indicate 'most rural'.

RUCA codes classify U.S. census tracts using measures of population density, urbanization, and daily commuting. Data is based on the 2006-2010 American Community Survey.


The State of Colorado wants to ensure everyone is able to access the information they need. If you feel this app is not accessible to you, please email the State Demography Office and we will be happy to assist you.

RUCA Links
  • RUCA Main Page
  • RUCA Documentation Page

The data provided on this site is for informational and planning purposes only.

Absolutely no accuracy or completeness guarantee is implied or intended. All information on this map is subject to such variations and corrections as might result from a complete title search and/or accurate field survey.


RUCA data courtesy of USDA


Colorado City Boundary data courtesy of DOLA

Information

Primary RUCA Codes, 2010

  1. Metropolitan area core: primary flow within an urbanized area (UA)
  2. Metropolitan area high commuting: primary flow 30% or more to a UA
  3. Metropolitan area low commuting: primary flow 10% to 30% to a UA
  4. Micropolitan area core: primary flow within an Urban Cluster of 10,000 to 49,999 (large UC)
  5. Micropolitan high commuting: primary flow 30% or more to a large UC
  6. Micropolitan low commuting: primary flow 10% to 30% to a large UC
  7. Small town core: primary flow within an Urban Cluster of 2,500 to 9,999 (small UC)
  8. Small town high commuting: primary flow 30% or more to a small UC
  9. Small town low commuting: primary flow 10% to 30% to a small UC
  10. Rural areas: primary flow to a tract outside a UA or UC

* 99  Not coded: Census tract has zero population and no rural-urban identifier information

Secondary RUCA Codes, 2010

  1. Metropolitan area core: primary flow within an urbanized area (UA)
    1. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a larger UA
  2. Metropolitan area high commuting: primary flow 30% or more to a UA
    1. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a larger UA
  3. Metropolitan area low commuting: primary flow 10% to 30% to a UA
  4. Micropolitan area core: primary flow within an Urban Cluster of 10,000 to 49,999 (large UC)
    1. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a UA
  5. Micropolitan high commuting: primary flow 30% or more to a large UC
    1. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a UA
  6. Micropolitan low commuting: primary flow 10% to 30% to a large UC
  7. Small town core: primary flow within an Urban Cluster of 2,500 to 9,999 (small UC)
    1. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a UA
    2. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a large UC
  8. Small town high commuting: primary flow 30% or more to a small UC
    1. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a UA
    2. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a large UC
  9. Small town low commuting: primary flow 10% to 30% to a small UC
  10. Rural areas: primary flow to a tract outside a UA or UC
    1. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a UA
    2. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a large UC
    3. Secondary flow 30% to 50% to a small UC

* 99  Not coded: Census tract has zero population and no rural-urban identifier information

Created by: Colorado State Demography Office

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