Agricultural cities and townships mostly include more than 50% prime agricultural land with large areas dedicated to farming. These areas are planned and zoned for long-term agricultural use, and development that is not compatible with agricultural uses is discouraged. These farming activities support the economic competitiveness of the region and promote local food production. Large portions of these areas are enrolled in the Metropolitan Agricultural Preserves and Green Acres Program.

While most Agricultural areas have lower surface temperatures compared to the rest of region, they also include some higher vulnerability drinking-water areas, as well as high potential for groundwater and surface water interaction. Preservation of these agricultural areas and implementing best management practices in farming operation is important for overall water quality improvement.

Agricultural cities and townships often have more than one community designation representing the existing patterns of development within and nearby. Some jurisdictions have orderly annexation agreements with adjacent cities and some represent the transition from areas with large agricultural production to smaller farms or homesteads.