To refine the study on spatial distribution patterns of rural settlements in the hill-and-gully region of the Northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau. The spatial differentiation characteristics of settlements in various types of geomorphological zones were analyzed by using two methods, namely, topographic factor hierarchical statistics and distribution indices. Hillock-Ridge Gully Region exhibits optimal slopes at 5-30 degrees; Ridge-Hillock Gully Region exhibits optimal slopes at 0-20 degrees, with predominant clustering at 0-10 degrees; Tableland-Ridge Gully Regions rexhibits optimal slopes at 0-10...