Rural crime is not synonymous with agricultural crime. Only one-sixth of rural residents live on farms, but rural nonfarm residents experience as much crime as the farm population on a per capita basis. The most frequent types of crimes experienced by both farm and nonfarm residents are relatively minor incidents of vandalism and larceny. Among reasons for the increases in opportunities for crime are the increasing inventory of farm equipment and other materials, improvements in the interstate highway system and other aspects of transportation, and growth of the rural population. In addition, rural people have experienced the same rise in affluence as Americans in general and thus have fenceable items like televisions and stereos, and increasing numbers of rural homes are vacant during the day and early evening hours. Minimal law enforcement resources are available in rural areas for patrol, investigative, and other police functions. Lifestyle changes among rural youths have increased the numbers of motivated offenders. The mass media's influence on the development of adolescent role models and the shift away from the family and toward the peer group as the main institution of socialization are two crucial elements of these changes. The presence of crime is making rural society less distinct from urban life. Twenty-six references are listed.