Table 3.

Site comparisons for information potential: random sample of 10 wave 2-wave 3 sites.

County	State	Population (2000)	Area, square miles	Geodemographic character	Similaritya— information potential
Worcester	MA	751,000	1,579	Mainly rural, wooded and small farms. Largest city Worcester (176,000 in 2006). Sixty incorporated cities/towns.	—
Benton	AR	153,000	846	Gentle rolling hills. Largest city Rogers (43,000 in 2003). Consists of 17 incorporated cities/towns, 6 unincorporated.	3
Humboldt	CA	127,000	4,052	Rural, densely forested. Seven incorporated towns. Largest cities Eureka and Arcada have 35% population; 13% population in other five towns; 52% in unincorporated communities.	2
Litchfield	CT	182,000	945	Rural. Occupies portion of Appalachian Mountains. Twenty-six cities/towns. Lowest population density in CT.	4
Polk	IA	374,000	592	Mainly urban, several lakes and rivers. Twenty cities, largest Des Moines (197,000 in 2008 est.).	3
Orleans (parish)	LA	484,000		Urban/major city with surrounding much smaller towns. Twenty-three towns, one incorporated. Largest city New Orleans; > 30 other populated villages/communities.	2
Stearns	MN	133,000	1,390	Rolling hills, scenic lakes. Thirty-two cities, 34 townships.b Largest city St. Cloud (59,000 in 2000).	3
Coahoma	MS	31,000	583	In Mississippi Delta region. Largest city Clarksdale (21,000 in 2000). Six incorporated towns, nine unincorporated communities.	3
Cumberland	NC	303,000	658	Coastal plain topography. Eleven townships.b Largest city Fayetteville (121,000 in 2000).	3
Burlington	NJ	423,000	819	Coastal and alluvial plain. Forty cities/towns/townships. Largest city Evesham (42,000 in 2000).	3
Lamar	TX	48,000	932	Rolling hills, open spaces. Sixteen cities/towns, seven incorporated. Largest city Paris (26,000 in 2000).	3
Average					3

^aTo Worcester, MA. Rating 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: very low, low, moderate, high, very high.

^bSmall area with local government.