County-Level Urban–Rural Integration in China from an Urban–Rural Territorial System Perspective: Spatial Differentiation and Influencing Factors

Urban–rural integration is an important pathway for promoting coordinated territorial development and reducing urban–rural disparities. However, its spatial differentiation and regionally heterogeneous pathways at the county level remain insufficiently understood. This study aims to systematically measure county-level urban–rural integration, reveal its spatial differentiation, and examine the spatial effects and regional heterogeneity of factors associated with its development. Drawing on urban–rural territorial system theory, this study develops a four-dimensional evaluation framework and measures urban–rural integration across1863 county-level units in China in 2020 using a combined weighting method. Based on cross-sectional data for 2020, spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial econometric models, particularly the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), are employed to examine its spatial patterns and influencing factors. The results show pronounced spatial differentiation, with high-value areas concentrated in eastern coastal regions and around regional central cities, and low-value areas in less-developed western regions. Integration is positively associated with population urbanization, but higher urbanization does not necessarily correspond to higher integration. Economic development and digital development are strongly associated with urban–rural integration, while spatial connectivity primarily exhibits local effects and public services show heterogeneous spatial effects. Moreover, the factors associated with urban–rural integration vary significantly across regions. These findings suggest strengthening county-level economic capacity, leveraging digital technologies, optimizing urban–rural public resource allocation, and enhancing inter-county collaboration to advance urban–rural integration from intra-county coordination toward broader regional coordination.