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Example of a chart showing data with “heavy-tail” distribution

by John Cromartie and Elizabeth A. Dobis
1/16/2024

Rural Economy & Population

Line chart showing the distribution of census tract Road Terrain Ruggedness Index values in which low-frequency tracts still tend to have high impact.

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The intersection of rugged terrain and economic activity remains understudied, so USDA, Economic Research Service researchers developed two classifications of U.S. census tracts: the six-level Area Ruggedness Scale and the five-level Road Ruggedness Scale.

Example of a chart showing data with “heavy-tail” distribution

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