What People Say: Application of Rural Definitions and Descriptors of Community in Ingersoll, Ontario

Abstract

A definition of rural is necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate policy, as well as to inform research. Definitions of rural are often sorted into four broad categories: descriptive, sociocultural, rural as a locality, and rural as a social representation. Within these categories various definitions exist, each with strengths and weaknesses. Researchers and policy makers debate the effectiveness and appropriateness of rural definitions in various situations. This research initiative seeks to understand how rural is used and defined by residents of Ingersoll, Ontario and explore the implications of this understanding for local development, public policy, and research. Ingersoll is the smallest still growing census agglomeration in Ontario with a population of 12,577. Based on this population, Ingersoll does not qualify as either census rural nor rural small town. Citizens of Ingersoll will be surveyed to understand how they describe their community and relate their community to the concept of rural. The survey results will be compared to common definitions of rural found in academic literature and government policy and programming.