New census data show metro areas booming while Rural America empties out. The share of people living in rural areas over the past decade fell to 16%, from 20% and from 72% (yes, 72%) in 1910. Conversely, 51% of people live in suburbs up from 50% in 2000. Despite declines in population of big cities in the Northeast and Midwest, 33% of Americans now live in cities, up from 30% in ’00.