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Urbanization of Rural Land in the United States

Author

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  • Vesterby, Marlow
  • Heimlich, Ralph E.
  • Krupa, Kenneth S.

Abstract

While urban area increased rapidly during the 1970's, it was a small percentage of total land area. Cropland and pasture losses were comparatively small. Conversion of other rural land to cropland and pasture replaced more than one-third of losses to urban uses. "Land consumption" by urban uses has remained constant at about a half acre per household in fast-growth counties since 1960. The most rapidly growing counties had the highest land conversion rates. Higher rates also occurred in counties with smaller initial populations than in counties with larger population bases. However, these counties accounted for little total land conversion. Projected urban land conversion will not significantly reduce the U.S. cropland base by the year 2000. Increases in agricultural production due to technological change should more than compensate for projected cropland losses. Urbanization of agricultural land does raise issues at the State and local levels in regard to protecting watersheds, maintaining air quality, maintaining open space, preserving rural lifestyles, preventing urban sprawl, and preserving local economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Vesterby, Marlow & Heimlich, Ralph E. & Krupa, Kenneth S., 1994. "Urbanization of Rural Land in the United States," Agricultural Economic Reports 308271, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:uerser:308271
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.308271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hexem, Roger W. & Krupa, Kenneth S., 1987. "Land Resources for Crop Production," Agricultural Economic Reports 308030, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Dill, Henry W., Jr. & Otte, Robert C., 1971. "Urbanization of Land in the Northeastern United States," Miscellaneous Publications 324010, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Rosenfield, George H & Fitzpatrick-Lins, Katherine & Johnson, Thomas L, 1987. "Stratification of a Cityscape Using Census and Land Use Variables for Inventory of Building Materials," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 21(1), pages 22-33, March.
    4. Beale, Calvin L., 1975. "The Revival of Population Growth in Nonmetropolitan America," Miscellaneous Publications 329283, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    5. Marlow Vesterby & Ralph E. Heimlich, 1991. "Land Use and Demographic Change: Results from Fast-Growth Counties," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 67(3), pages 279-291.
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    7. Frey, H. Thomas, 1982. "Major Uses of Land in the United States: 1978," Agricultural Economic Reports 305573, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kathryn Anderson & Diana Weinhold, 2005. "Do Conservation Easements Reduce Land Prices? The Case of South Central Wisconsin," Urban/Regional 0506001, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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