It is difficult to run the same short route.  I would say scope out the rural areas that you are considering (so, drive the country roads you are thinking about and travel them at some different times to observe the surroundings).  Also, ask others about their impressions of the area.  In general, you may be taking a greater risk in passing the same houses over and over again.  It is usually a good idea to vary your route (time and location wise) because predictable patterns can be safety concerns depending on other variables.  It also sounds like the routine that you have currently is troublesome for various reasons, so do carry a cell phone and let someone know your rural route, expected return time and so on. 

(As always, dogs or other animals may present a greater challenge than people), so take care in noting those possibilities).

Hope this helps and wishing you all the best. 

I live in a somewhat rural area as well.  There are some small neighborhoods nearby that are good for short runs, but my long runs mean I end up either running on busy two lane highways or on rural farm area roads.  For me the problem is that the farm roads are hilly and curvy, and have no shoulders, so when cars pass by I have to either jump in or over the ditch beside the road.  There is a surprising amount of traffic on those rural roads.  What I have done is scout out the roads before I run them to see which ones have good visibility so that I can both see and be seen and which are really narrow so that there's nowhere to go to avoid traffic.  (It is also helpful because mapmyrun and googlemaps have a lot of errors in my area.  Farm driveways are shown as through roads.)  I don't worry much about being attacked as a female (towns worry me more), just cars and dogs.   Most people ignore me or just wave in passing.  I suggest that if you are concerned, you carry mace.  I do carry a cellphone when I run, but that's more because I worry about getting injured 5 miles from home and having to walk back when it's really cold.  

There's nothing embarassing about making sure you're safe.  I know a pro who recently moved to a big city and didn't feel safe running at night so she did laps around her apparment complex and she was training for a marathon!  I know you're in a rural area, but if there is a running store nearby you might check and see if they have any running groups you could join or if they know anyone in your area that might want a running buddy.  There are also quite a few websites online that help you find running partners.  I can't remember the one I used but here's one http://www.findrunningpartners.com/signin/signin.php.  Another girlfriend also found a running buddy through a similar site and we both had good experiences.  Good luck!

Bohemian: I live in the country, and train in the country.  The one route I run I pass about 2-3 houses per mile, and 3 farms, and 2 abandoned historical shacks (little creepy) and have never had any issues...well I almost got sprayed by a skunk but that was the only 'threat' I have encountered.

The other route I take is 1.5 miles out and back, there are 4 houses, and a marsh, and farm fields. It is beautiful and peaceful.  I have been attacked by thousands of mosquitos, but never had issues with any of the people or passing cars for that matter. 

I'm sure you will be fine, however if it makes you feel more secure run with a dog, or pepper spray