Mapping Frontier and Remote Areas in the U.S

Researchers and policymakers focusing on rural development issues commonly use the term "frontier" to denote relatively remote and sparsely settled territory, found largely but not exclusively in the Great Plains and Intermountain West. One need for delineating frontier areas comes from recent legislative mandates to improve access to public services in frontier areas. Health care access is the primary policy issue motivating this research, but remoteness also increases costs in accessing groceries, household goods, child care, and publically provided social services, such as schools or fire protection. ERS's newly developed Frontier and Remote (FAR) area codes are both geographically detailed and adjustable within reasonable ranges to facilitate their use in diverse research and policy contexts. US population classified as FAR ranged from 6.5% (Level One) to 1.7% (Level Four) in 2000. Most of the population in both Wyoming and Montana resided in a Level One FAR area in 2000. The Dakotas showed the highest Level Four percentages by a significant margin.