Abstract: Against the backdrop of a complex and volatile global economy and ongoing regional conflicts, enhancing the resilience of county-level economies is essential for promoting high-quality economic development and achieving comprehensive rural revitalization. Existing research has primarily focused on macro-level analysis based on provincial and municipal data, with limited studies on county-level indicator measurement and the impact of digital divides across different administrative tiers. This study employs a dual machine learning model to examine the impact and mechanisms of digital rural development on county-level economic resilience using panel data from 2014 to 2022. It further investigates the heterogeneous effects generated by digital divides across different administrative tiers. Findings reveal: First, digital rural development significantly enhances county-level economic resilience, with results remaining robust after stability tests. Second, centered on technology, digital rural development enhances county-level economic resilience by dismantling market barriers, optimizing industrial structures, and boosting non-agricultural entrepreneurial vitality. Third, the promotional effect of digital rural development on county-level economic resilience is constrained by the three-tier digital divide, resulting in an inhibitory effect in regions with low levels of digital development.

Key words: digital rural construction, county-level economic resilience, machine learning, digital divide