Urban, Suburban, and Rural Communities
Grade 2 · Social Studies · Study Guide
Learn about the three types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural, and how they are different.
Communities come in different sizes and shapes. The three main types are urban, suburban, and rural.
Urban communities are cities. They have lots of people living very close together. Cities have tall buildings, busy streets, and many shops and restaurants. New York City and Chicago are examples of urban communities.
Suburban communities are areas just outside of a city. They are usually quieter than cities, with neighborhoods of houses, schools, parks, and shopping centers. Many families choose to live in the suburbs and travel to the city to work.
Rural communities are in the countryside, away from cities. They have fewer people and lots of open land. Farms, forests, and small towns are found in rural areas. People who live in rural areas might have large yards or live near nature.
Each type of community has special things about it. In cities, you can walk to many places. In suburbs, people often drive cars. In rural areas, houses may be far apart and neighbors can be hard to reach.
No matter where people live, all communities have things in common — people need food, shelter, schools, and places to work and play.
Key terms
- urban
- A busy city area with many people, tall buildings, and lots of businesses
- suburban
- An area just outside a city, usually with houses, schools, and shopping centers
- rural
- A countryside area with fewer people, farms, and lots of open land
- community
- A place where people live, work, and play together
- population
- The number of people who live in a place
Flashcards
- urban
- A city area with many people and tall buildings
- suburban
- An area just outside a city with neighborhoods and shopping centers
- rural
- A countryside area with open land, farms, and fewer people
- community
- A place where people live, work, and play together
- population
- The number of people living in a place
- neighborhood
- A smaller area within a community where people live near each other
- transportation
- Ways people move from place to place, like buses, trains, or cars
Questions
Which type of community has tall buildings and many people living close together?
- Rural
- Suburban
- Urban
- Farm
Show answer
Answer: Urban
Urban areas are cities with many people living close together and lots of tall buildings.
Rural communities have lots of open land and fewer people than cities.
Show answer
Answer: True
Rural areas are in the countryside with wide open spaces and fewer residents than cities.
An area just outside a city is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: suburban
Suburban communities are the areas just outside a city, often with houses and shopping centers.
Which of these would most likely be found in a rural area?
- A skyscraper
- A subway
- A farm
- A busy highway
Show answer
Answer: A farm
Farms are common in rural areas where there is plenty of open land.
All three types of communities — urban, suburban, and rural — have people who need food, schools, and shelter.
Show answer
Answer: True
No matter where people live, everyone needs food, shelter, schools, and places to work and play.
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