HRSA Rural Definition Webinar Summary

Overview

The HRSA Rural Definition Webinar outlined how HRSA and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) define “rural,” why multiple federal rural definitions exist, and how updates coming in 2025 will affect eligibility for rural health programs. The presentation emphasized the importance of consistent, accurate classification to better target resources to underserved and geographically isolated communities.

Rural eligibility can affect HRSA funding. Burrows Consulting helps organizations navigate these requirements.

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Why Multiple Rural Definitions Exist

Federal agencies such as HRSA, Census, OMB, and USDA use different geographic systems because:

• Each program has unique funding goals and statutory requirements.

• Rurality must often be measured using different indicators, including population density, distance to services, commuting patterns, and terrain.

• HRSA is streamlining its definition to improve accuracy and align with updated federal data sources.

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Key Elements of HRSA’s Rural Definition

HRSA considers an area rural if it meets any one of these criteria:

• Non metropolitan counties

• Outlying metro counties without urbanized population ≥50,000

• Census tracts in metro counties with RUCA codes 4–10

• Large, low density census tracts with RUCA 2–3 (≥400 sq mi, ≤35 people/sq mi)

• Rugged terrain tracts in metro counties with RRS 5 + RUCA 2–3

These measures help capture smaller, isolated pockets within large metropolitan counties that still function as rural communities.

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Mapping & Update Cycle

• HRSA updates rural classifications about every 10 years following new Census data releases.

• Areas can gain or lose rural status as population shifts or boundary updates occur.

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Important Clarifications from the Webinar

• HRSA does not use “frontier” definitions, though USDA maintains Frontier & Remote (FAR) datasets.

• HRSA will provide state specific rural breakdowns and publish county level change lists.

• OMB population and boundary updates will be incorporated as soon as available.

• FY26 applications, applicants have a period of one year to lean on their previous rural status.

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What’s Coming in 2026

1. New HRSA Rural Definition (Sept 2025)
Updated to reflect new population and geographic data; applies to all HRSA and FORHP programs.

2. Updated 2025 Map & Data Files
Includes shifts in rural status, metro and non metro boundary updates, and tract-level changes.

3. County-Level Change Lists
Lists of counties gaining or losing rural status to help states assess funding impact.

4. Integration of OMB Data (If Released)
HRSA will incorporate OMB’s updated population estimates, which may shift classifications again.

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Key Takeaways

• HRSA is modernizing its rural definition to better reflect real-world access challenges.

• Significant updates in 2025 will influence rural health funding eligibility, particularly for HRSA and FORHP grants.

• States, counties, and providers should prepare by reviewing new maps and change lists as soon as released.