So: What do we do about the fact that small-town and rural Americans are so out of touch

[hfojvt]

68. about 28%

Since the census includes another 8% living in "urban clusters" of 2,500 to 50,000 people - presumably small towns. At least the ones from 2,500 to 20,000 are small towns.

And, of course, many people in the urban areas, myself included, grew up in small towns and much prefer small towns to urban areas, even though we find ourselves in an urban area.

It certainly is not "normal" compared to an urban area. For one thing, there is a lot less crime. South Dakota had a crime rate of 1,905 per 100,000 a violent crime rate of 185.6 and a homicide rate of 2.6. Whereas 19 cities in the US had a violent crime rate that was over 1,000.

Of course, South Dakota's violent crime rate is higher because the city of Sioux Falls has a rate of 212 and brings the average up and Rapid City brings the average up even more.