Nearly 90 percent of U.S. census tracts are level or nearly level

The USDA, Economic Research Service’s (ERS) Area Ruggedness Scale, a data product that aids in understanding the unique contribution of rugged terrain towards the well-being of communities and their residents, has been updated for 2020 census tracts. The Area Ruggedness Scale (ARS) categorizes U.S. census tracts as “level” to “extremely rugged” based on their average change in elevation. While topographic variation in the United States has changed little in the last decade, the 2020 update provides users with data matching the most recent census tracts boundaries. The ARS indicates that most census tracts have little topographic variation, with 70.8 percent classified as “level.” The next largest category is “nearly level,” with 19.6 percent of census tracts. The remaining 9.6 percent of census tracts are classified as at least “slightly rugged,” with only 0.5 percent classified as “extremely rugged.” Mountain systems such as the Appalachians, Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and Ozarks appear clearly in the map above because of their high ruggedness relative to other parts of the country. These features may present an impediment to habitation and travel, but they can also attract tourists and prospective residents who prefer rugged terrain or are interested in outdoor activities. This ARS update provides information for timely research on links between geography and well-being of individuals, especially those living in rural areas. This chart is drawn from the ERS Area and Road Ruggedness Scales data product.