### Question
How is the "rural area" defined?


### Answer
The term **rural area** is defined in *15 U.S.C. § 636* as follows -

> any political subdivision or unincorporated area—


(i) in a nonmetropolitan county (as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture) or its equivalent thereof

#### Citation:
  - *15 U.S.C. § 636*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 14A-AID TO SMALL BUSINESS**

