The Esri Urbanicity Type database is a land-based classification system that designates every U.S. Census block into one of 10 urbanicity categories. Urbanicity refers to the degree of urbanization in a specific area, ranging from highly urban environments (such as big cities) to rural settings. Each category represents shared characteristics such as density, distance, and socioeconomic dependence on urban cores. This provides a more granular, current, and nuanced view of the degree to which land is urban or rural.
The database classifies Esri's current year total population into 10 categories:
| Urbanicity Type | Description |
|---|---|
Urban Core | A dense metro city core. Defined in every principal city and city with a population of 75,000 or more within a Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) that meets a minimum density of at least 400 persons per square mile or 90% Census urban population. These areas exhibit very high housing or daytime population density relative to the parent city. |
Urban Vicinity | The dense periphery of a metro city core. Defined in a principal city and cities with a population of 75,000 or more within a CBSA that meets a minimum density of at least 400 persons per square mile or 90% Census urban population. These areas exhibit high (albeit lower than Urban Core) housing or daytime population density relative to the parent city. |
Peripheral Community | The exurban metro core. Defined for cities with a population between 2,000 and 75,000 on the outskirts of larger CBSAs that meet a minimum density of at least 400 persons per square mile or 90% Census urban population. Areas designated Peripheral Community are the densest relative to the parent city to form the core of the community. |
Suburb | Areas around a metro commuter belt. Defined only within a CBSA, these areas meet a minimum density requirement of 200 persons per square mile and exist in the periphery of either Urban Core, Urban Vicinity, or Peripheral Community—both inside and outside city boundaries. |
Metro Landscape | Metro low-density territories within a CBSA with density lower than 200 persons per square mile. These territories exist in the periphery of Urban Core, Urban Vicinity, Peripheral Community, or Suburb—both inside and outside city boundaries. |
Small Town | Nonmetro centers within cities outside of a CBSA but within a two-hour drive of an Urban Core, with a population of at least 1,000 people and a minimum density of at least 400 persons per square mile or 90% Census urban population. These areas are the densest relative to the parent city to form the core of the town. |
Remote Town | Distant nonmetro centers within cities outside of a CBSA that are more than a two-hour drive from an Urban Core, with a population of at least 1,000 people and a minimum density of at least 400 persons per square mile or 50% Census urban population. These areas are the densest relative to the parent city to form the core of the town. |
Rural Countryside | Nonmetro rural areas outside of a CBSA but within a two-hour drive of an Urban Core. These areas may exist within the periphery of a Small Town or outside city boundaries. |
Rural Remote | Distant nonmetro rural areas that are more than a two-hour drive from an Urban Core. These areas may be in the periphery of a Remote Town or outside city boundaries. |
Unpopulated | These are areas with no residential population that may exist inside or outside of both a CBSA or city boundaries. Daytime population may still be present within these territories. |
Urbanicity affects how people shop and behave based on where they live. For instance, urban residents typically benefit from a diverse array of choices and contemporary trends, whereas rural populations favor practical, locally sourced products. Urbanicity Type can be applied in various ways including health studies, public transportation planning, environmental assessments, and emergency preparedness.
For more information about Esri Urbanicity Type, see the Use and interpret Esri Urbanicity Types tutorial.
Vintage
2024 (in 2020 Census geography).
Available geographies
Update frequency
Esri Urbanicity Type is updated annually.
Methodology
The following document describes the detailed methodology used for Esri Urbanicity Type: Esri Urbanicity Type Methodology Statement; a PDF is available.
Release notes
View the release notes for Esri Urbanicity Type in the Esri 2024 U.S. Demographics Release Notes (PDF).
Variable list
The variable list for Esri Urbanicity Type is in the Esri 2024-2029 U.S. Data Catalog (XLS).
Data availability
This section needs to be checked. Esri Urbanicity Type is available in various products including the following:
- ArcGIS Business Analyst Web App, ArcGIS Business Analyst Pro, ArcGIS Business Analyst Enterprise, and ArcGIS Business Analyst Mobile App.
- ArcGIS Online—Use the Enrich Layer tool.
Tutorial
For more information on Esri Urbanicity Type, see Use and interpret Esri Urbanicity Types.