Using 1960 and 1970 census data, the following hypotheses were tested: the level of women's labor force participation will be higher in urbanized metropolitan vs sparsely populated nonmetropolitan counties with a higher participation rate appearing in the nonmetro counties within commuting range of metro counties, though these differences will have diminished by 1970; women's employment growth will be higher in urbanized metro counties but higher still in nonmetro counties within commuting range of metro areas; the industrial and occupational composition of women's employment will include a larger proportion of higher status jobs in metro and urbanized counties and in counties within commuting range of metro areas, though these differences will have diminished by 1970. The variables examined were: patterns of participation by age; employment by occupation and industry; employment growth by occupation; employment change by industry; and geographic patterns in women's labor force participation. Results indicated: the rate of labor force participation among women varied directly with the level of urbanization but diminished progressively; women's employment grew at a higher rate in metro areas but women's share of total job growth was greater in nonmetro counties; the industrial composition of women's employment became more dissimilar during the decade; proximity to urban areas or a "commuting effect" was not operative; nonmetro women were concentrated in low wage, low skill, and low status pursuits. (JC)