This study employs data from 3108 counties in the United States to examine the effect of urbanism & 18 other variables on suicide. Data was obtained from death certificates for a 3 year period in each county (1975-1977). Results suggest that most sociological explanations for suicide apply more to urban environments than rural ones. Urban social relationships are fewer among family & community, and are replaced by the voluntary contexts of work & associations. (NBB)