Excerpt from the report introduction: In 1950, 13.8 percent of the U.S. population lived in urban fringe areas, as defined by the U.S. Census.1/ By 1960, this proportion had grown to 21.1 percent. It is reasonable to assume that this growth has continued unchecked since that time. Numerous problems affecting both fringe-area residents and State and local governments have accompanied this rapid increase in population. This report is about attempts by the States to meet one of these problems: the rapid increase in tax levies on farm land adjacent to metropolitan areas.