The article assesses the entrepreneurship of rural residents by analysing selected examples of entrepreneurial activities. The undertaken exploration concerned not only the diagnosis of entrepreneurial potential, but also the investigation of the potential determinants of the studied phenomenon. Both the fi rst and the second aspect of the analysis are particularly justifi ed in the case of entrepreneurship in rural communities. The basis of the empirical analysis is the nationwide survey carried out by the Public Opinion Research Center on behalf of the University of Lodz in the framework of the grant on. “Entrepreneurship Poles - social and spatial aspect”. The study shows that a relatively high percentage of this group of respondents undertake entrepreneurial activities. Particularly noteworthy is the activity in the sphere of conducting one’s own business activity.