Rural-Urban Classification Methodology (2021)

<p style='margin-bottom:6.0pt; text-align:justify;'><span style='font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif; color:#0C0C0C;'>Rural Urban Classification</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif;'>The 2021 RUC update seeks to build upon the strengths of the previous methodology while incorporating significant enhancements. A key methodological change involves replacing the ‘sparsity’ element of the 2011 RUC with updated estimates of ‘Relative Access’ to large urban centres.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif; color:#0C0C0C;'>This document details the methodology of the 2021 Rural Urban Classification of Statistical Geographies for England </span><span>and</span><span style='font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif; color:#0C0C0C;'> Wales, and includes a summary of the method, along with detailed technical information.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif; color:#0C0C0C;'>The classification covers OA, LSOA, MSOA and LAD geographies, classifying them based </span><span style='font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif;'>on address density, physical settlement form, population size, and Relative Access to Major towns and cities (populations of over 75,000 people). The classification is produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) with advice from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Welsh Government and colleagues from the Government Geography Profession (GGP).</span></p>