Final answer:
Urbanization refers to the process by which there is an increasing trend of the population living in cities rather than in rural areas. This shift has been significant since the 1950s due to factors like the Industrial Revolution and continues as economies develop. The majority of the American population now lives in urban or metropolitan areas, a significant change from the past. The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which an increasing number of people live in cities rather than rural areas is referred to as urbanization. This trend has been ongoing since the 1950s, signifying a rural-to-urban population shift. In earlier times, most Americans lived in small towns or rural settings, but data from the US Census Bureau indicates a shift towards metropolitan areas.
The Industrial Revolution played a crucial role in initiating this transition by introducing technological advancements and changing labor practices, pushing populations from agrarian lifestyles to seek industrial employment in urban settings.
In the United States, around 80% of the population now resides in metropolitan areas, which includes suburbs around cities. This is a stark increase from the 40% living in urban areas in 1900. The acceleration of urbanization coincides with the development of economies where lesser farm workers are needed due to mechanization, thus pushing the workforce towards urban centers that have a growing need for industrial workers.
In less developed regions, such as parts of Africa, the urban population constitutes about 30%, posing future challenges for those countries to manage the urban growth effectively.
Furthermore, the trend of moving away from crowded urban areas towards suburbs, known as suburbanization, has also been observed, where people settle in communities close to cities to have access to urban jobs while enjoying more space that suburban living affords.