The original assertion referred to neighbourhoods, which do tend to grow inversely to the population density. In my experience, a resident of Toronto might cons

The original assertion referred to neighbourhoods, which do tend to grow inversely to the population density. In my experience, a resident of Toronto might consider their neighbourhood to be just a block or two. While rural residents think of their neighbourhood as a many kilometre wide radius. Census/electoral divisions are a decent proxy for what we are trying to measure here, I feel. Certainly for the medium-sized rural divisions that are most relevant to the discussion. I believe I understand what you and the parent are getting at, but it appears to be of a different discussion.