Using 1980 Census data, this study examined household composition and labor force participation for single mother households in urban and rural areas. The study used Census data on a representative random sample of 5,712 female headed family households. Variables studied were rural-urban status, household composition, labor force participation, and poverty status. The study controlled for race, education, marital status, and age. A descriptive analysis of the data used crosstabulation, group means, and proportions in poverty, while multivariate analysis methods were multiple classification analysis and least squares multiple regression analysis. Significant findings were: (1) single mother households in small town and rural areas experience poverty levels as high or higher than those in central city and suburban areas; (2) extra adults living in the household and earnings from employment of these extra adults are both associated with decreased family poverty levels; and (3) employment of the single mother is the most important variable associated with decreased family poverty. Policy recommendations include wage equity policies across geographic areas, increased levels of support from absent fathers, and assistance with costs of day care and health care for single parents. This paper contains 9 data tables and 54 references. (KS)