Disclaimer! Ruralinfo.net is not sponsored or authorized by the NRLCA, the USPS or any state or local association. Click here to read full disclaimer

How does the US Postal Service serve rural Americans?

“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night” — while the United States Postal Service (USPS) has no official motto, this well-known refrain reflects a key aspect of the organization’s operations: the universal service obligation (USO).

The USO is not contained in any one document, but has been defined through multiple statutes over the course of the past century. It outlines that the USPS is obligated to provide the American public with trusted, affordable, and universal service across multiple dimensions — including geography. Rural free delivery of mail by the USPS became a permanent service in July 1902. Today, despite being home to 16% of the US population, rural areas comprise 88% of the area served by the Postal Service, and 57% of post offices are in rural areas.[1]

  1. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor 40% pay cut will keep us from our appointed rounds. ????????????

Hot this week

Special Labor Day Message from the NRLCA

Labor Day is a special occasion to celebrate the...

Which Post Offices have lost the evening collection? An Update on RTO Implementation

Over the past two years, the Postal Service has...

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the USPS...

Blaine postal carrier honored “National Hero of the Year” following dog attack

Blaine postal carrier Dave Hamilton, 55, received national recognition...

Roth in-plan conversions coming to the TSP in January 2026

Starting in January 2026, you’ll be able to convert...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img
Secret Link