When it comes to urban and rural customers in the USA, there are as many similarities as there are differences. The challenge of marketing to each of them rests not only on understanding the similarities or these two groups, but also learning how the differences can help marketers better communicate directly to them.

The Urban and Rural Communities

Let’s start by understanding the definitions and statistics surrounding rural and urban:

The Truth About Division Between Rural and Urban Americans

In an increasingly divisive landscape, it’s easy to draw lines between rural and urban Americans. And to an extent, many of the stereotypes surrounding both urban and rural populations can be explained by examining the economic and social contexts in which both populations live.

Despite the rhetoric frequently thrown around online and in real life, there are similarities between urban and rural consumers, and context that drives both of those similarities. And while there are key differences between how urban and rural shoppers make decisions, we can also examine what drives those differences.

Where the Paths Cross: Market Similarities 

Marketing professionals are keenly aware that one of the major influences on the buying behavior of Americans is characterized by the cultural impact of their separation into urban vs. rural customers.

Globalization has also created many similarities which may not be evident when viewed culturally, but when viewed on a spreadsheet these similarities become evident.

These are essentially two American subcultures that exist. As such, each group can be considered different potential customers. But before separating them into different marketing strategies it is important to keep in mind the fact that there are distinct similarities between the two – which include:

• Differing levels of status and approaches to each level often transcends the rural v. urban divide
• A great deal of interaction between differing social positions and class status
• Multiple concentrations of very specific types of purchasing behavior
• A great influence exerted from one social strata to the next

In other words, both urban and rural customers live in communities that have roughly the same social structure, and those structures tend to behave in similar manners within each of their own differing contexts.

Consumer Distinctions Persist

Despite the similarities, the fact remains that there are still significant differences between customers living in rural as opposed to urban environments. For example:

• Poverty is more prevalent in rural areas – Statistics show that urban poverty tends to be more concentrated because of the nature of cities themselves, and thus it is more visible as a result. But rates of poverty have long been higher within rural communities, which is worth taking into account when considering marketing approaches in non-urban areas.
• Disabilities are higher in rural areas – The percentage of urban Americans with physical disabilities is a little over 11% whereas it is above 17% for those in rural communities. The takeaway for marketers gauging customers’ behavior is quite simply that disability matters in rural America.
• Job growth is stronger in urban areas – Translated into customer behavior this reality means that for the rural customer, the Great Recession has not yet ended. A number of factors are behind this phenomenon from mechanization to global influences, but at the end of the day marketers must keep in mind that there is simply less buying power in rural America, and customer behavior reflects this objective reality.
• Entrepreneurs are prevalent in rural areas – One of the biggest differences between the U.S. economy and most others is the number of small start-up enterprises that spring into existence every year. Americans have an entrepreneurial spirit, and this is definitely true in rural America despite the other economic challenges mentioned above. In fact, it is the very absence of industry and salaried job openings in most rural communities that is driving the entrepreneurial surge in these areas. It is frequently the only choice rural residents have to generate new income streams. And it’s a reality marketers are well served to be aware of.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that the traditionally conservative buying habits of rural America reflect the objective economic context of their lives, just as the somewhat more free-flowing lifestyles and buying behaviors of urban Americans reflect theirs.

The challenge for today’s marketers is to know both urban and rural communities’ objective similarities and differences and approach the respective customers accordingly. If you are in need of research information, TraQline is here to help! Contact our market research professionals to learn more today!