The Rural Aperture Project—a partnership between the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), MDC, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Thrive Rural initiative—uses data and storytelling to expand the national understanding of rural America. By combining vivid visualizations with narrative analysis, the project challenges stereotypes and reveals the true diversity, complexity, and resilience of rural communities. Much like adjusting a camera lens, it zooms in and out across local, regional, and national perspectives to debunk myths, highlight inequities, and elevate overlooked stories. Designed as a tool for journalists, policymakers, practitioners, and philanthropists, the project provides accessible graphics, narratives, and data for public use—shaping how rural prosperity is researched, resourced, and represented.
The Rural Aperture Project: Leveraging Data to Gain New Insights Into Rural America
