Cities and Their Neighbors: Examining the Rural–Urban Divide on a Local Scale

In recent years, the rural–urban divide has become one of the defining features of American partisan politics. Usually conceptualized as a regional phenomenon, discussions of the rural–urban divide often overlook geographic polarization on the local scale and its impact on cities, urban governance, and urban problems. This research note draws attention to the growing political divide between adjacent rural and urban communities. First, this note demonstrates a method for conceptualizing and measuring the rural–urban divide on a local level. Second, through a case study of Wisconsin cities, it illustrates how the local divide has grown around nearly every city regardless of size, region, or type. Finally, this note explores several theoretical challenges that a growing local divide poses to cities and urban governance.