1. not relating to or characteristic of a large city or its surrounding urban area; outside a major metropolitan region
Usage: often used in administrative, demographic, or geographic contexts

Examples

• The nonmetropolitan areas of the state have experienced slower population growth.
• Nonmetropolitan counties tend to have lower housing costs than major cities.
• The study compared healthcare access in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions.
• Many nonmetropolitan communities rely heavily on agriculture and small businesses.
• Broadband expansion is a priority for nonmetropolitan areas.
• The census data showed significant differences between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan populations.