Description: This updated set of codes, based on data from the 2020 decennial census, provides four FAR definition levels, ranging from one that is relatively inclusive (FAR Level 1) to one that is more restrictive (FAR Level 4). This allows users to choose the definition of frontier and remote that best suits their specific needs.Locations are characterized as "frontier and remote" by a combination of low population and geographic isolation from cities and towns. FAR codes are assigned to areas based on the time it takes to travel by car to the edges of nearby urban areas. The four FAR code levels capture variation in the goods and services available in urban areas. This variation depends, in part, on the size of the urban area. FAR Level 1 describes difficulty accessing “high order” goods and services that are available in larger cities, such as advanced medical procedures, stores selling major household appliances, regional airport hubs, or professional sports franchises. At the other end of the spectrum, FAR Level 4 describes difficulty accessing “low order” goods and services that are available even in small towns, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and basic healthcare services.FAR Level 1 (FAR1): Rural areas and urban areas of up to 50,000 people may be classified as frontier and remote. Level 1 areas are 60 minutes or more from an urban area of 50,000 or more people.FAR Level 2 (FAR2): Rural areas and urban areas up to 25,000 people may be classified as frontier and remote. Level 2 areas are 45 minutes or more from an urban area of 25,000–49,999 people, and 60 minutes or more from an urban area of 50,000 or more people.FAR Level 3 (FAR3): Rural areas and urban areas up to 10,000 people may be classified as frontier and remote. Level 3 areas are 30 minutes or more from an urban area of 10,000–24,999 people, 45 minutes or more from an urban area of 25,000–49,999 people, and 60 minutes or more from an urban area of 50,000 or more people.FAR Level 4 (FAR4): Rural areas may be classified as frontier and remote. Level 4 areas are 15 minutes or more from an urban area of fewer than 10,000 people, 30 minutes or more from an urban area of 10,000–24,999 people, 45 minutes or more from an urban area of 25,000–49,999 people, and 60 minutes or more from an urban area of 50,000 or more people.
Service Item Id: 060937e72900439294862a08da92d9eb
Copyright Text: USDA REE-ERS
U.S. Census Bureau
Oak Ridge National Labs
HERE Technologies, Inc.
U.S. Geological Survey