Parallel Lives: Urban vs. Rural America

Understanding America's Urban and Rural Divide

Comparing population dynamics, poverty rates, education levels, and unemployment rates across the United States through innovative, interactive visualizations.

Explore Visualizations

Project Overview

"Parallel Lives: Urban vs. Rural America" focuses on comparing urban and rural population dynamics, including poverty rates, education levels, and unemployment rates. Utilizing datasets from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service (USDA ERS), and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this project aims to create innovative, interactive visualizations that highlight the differences between rural and urban populations across the United States.

Intended Audience

Policymakers and Government Agencies
Inform decisions on resource allocation for education and poverty alleviation.
Researchers and Data Analysts
Study population dynamics and socio-economic gaps between rural and urban areas.
General Public and Educators
Raise awareness about urban-rural disparities; serve as a teaching tool.

Project Focus

Population Trends

Urban areas exhibit significant growth, while rural populations experience slower expansion or decline. Visualizations highlight regional population shifts across the country.
Poverty Rates

Side-by-side comparisons reveal economic disparities, with rural areas facing higher poverty rates than their urban counterparts.
Educational Attainment

Illustrates the educational attainment gap, showing that rural populations have lower levels of education, which impacts economic opportunities in these areas.
Unemployment Rates

Both urban and rural areas see increased unemployment during economic downturns, but urban areas often recover more quickly. Visualizations highlight disparities in recovery times.

The Story

"Parallel Lives: Urban vs. Rural America" aims to provoke thought and discussion on the evolving dynamics between urban and rural communities. Through interactive visualizations, users can engage with data to explore socio-economic divides, uncover key trends affecting these communities, and gain insights into the unique challenges shaping them. The project serves as a tool for policymakers, researchers, advocates, and the general public to understand and address the disparities that influence the lives of millions across the United States.

Understanding America's Urban and Rural Divide

Project Overview

Intended Audience

Project Focus

Population Trends

Poverty Rates

Educational Attainment

Unemployment Rates

The Story

Explore Our Visualizations

Population Dynamics

Education Levels

Poverty Rates

Unemployment Rates