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


### Answer
The term **rural area** is defined in *49 U.S.C. § 5302* as follows -

> an area encompassing a population of less than 50,000 people that has not been designated in the most recent decennial census as an "urbanized area" by the Secretary of Commerce

#### Citation:
  - *49 U.S.C. § 5302*
  - Heading: **SUBTITLE III-GENERAL AND INTERMODAL PROGRAMS > CHAPTER 53-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION**

