According to the 2000 Census, 2,052 rural counties account for 97% of the land area in the [[United States]].<sup>2</sup> The 2000 Census puts the rural population of the United states at 59 million.<sup>2</sup> Only one percent of the rural population are farmers.<sup>3</sup> The average size of the nation's 2.1 million [[farm]]s is 441 acres.<sup>3</sup> Rural areas are often admired for their strong American and family values, and they usually vote [[Republican]]. | According to the 2000 Census, 2,052 rural counties account for 97% of the land area in the [[United States]].<sup>2</sup> The 2000 Census puts the rural population of the United states at 59 million.<sup>2</sup> Only one percent of the rural population are farmers.<sup>3</sup> The average size of the nation's 2.1 million [[farm]]s is 441 acres.<sup>3</sup> Rural areas are often admired for their strong American and family values, and they usually vote [[Republican]]. |