Which of the following best describes counterurbanization?

Counterurbanization refers to the phenomenon where people move from urban areas to rural areas. This movement can be attributed to several factors, such as a desire for a quieter lifestyle, lower costs of living, or the appeal of natural environments. When people engage in counterurbanization, there is an increase in the rural population as individuals and families leave cities in search of different living conditions.

While rural population growth is a defining characteristic of counterurbanization, the other options do not capture this concept accurately. A decline in urban migration could imply that individuals are not moving to cities, but it doesn't encompass the idea that they are actively relocating to rural areas. A preference for urban living contradicts the nature of counterurbanization, which is the trend of moving away from cities. Lastly, an overall population decline does not necessarily correlate with counterurbanization; rather, this process often leads to population growth in rural areas, even if urban populations might decline. Thus, the increase in rural population is the most fitting description of counterurbanization.