The small towns, farms and ranches that stretch across this country are iconic to American culture. Every American holds this picture of rural life as part of our nation’s collective memory. These rural communities remain an integral part of American society and are sustained and reinforced daily by a strong Postal Service.

Rural communities represent a distinct, and distinctive, segment of American society that rely heavily on the services the Postal Service provides. With limited access to many resources readily available in urban settings, rural America truly depends on a strong Postal Service.

For example, many rural communities across the U.S. lack broadband access. In 2013, only 60 percent of rural adults used high-speed Internet at home and 20 percent of rural adults don’t use the Internet or email at all. In these communities, the mail continues to serve as the only form of dependable and consistent communication that is available to all. Rural Americans rely on the Postal Service for sending correspondence and bills as well as receiving items like medication, magazines and newspapers.  Six-day delivery takes on a new meaning in rural communities as it’s often the only way people in these communities can ensure they receive their medicines on time.

The Postal Service’s universal network ensures reliable postal access to all rural Americans. The USPS is the only delivery company that reaches every single American home – a service private companies are still unable to match.  In places where UPS and FedEx don’t deliver, USPS is there serving rural American citizens that desperately need mail services. The Postal Service’s unmatched network and universal reach are vital lifelines to these rural American communities.

At the core of these mail services lies the sense of community. For many living in rural areas, their local letter carrier can also serve as a lifeline – both figuratively and literally. For example, USPS mail carriers are often in position to save lives simply because they show up six days a week. In 2013, postal employees saved the lives of over 125 Americans. That is no small feat.

And it’s not just the letter carriers that serve to connect these sparse communities, the post offices themselves often become the center of small towns and create a sense of cohesion that otherwise might not exist.
Mail Matters to American Rural Communities