Abstract: This study aims to explore the spatial pattern of the rural settlements in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB). The configuration level of each element was then evaluated in the surrounding community life circles. The spatial correlation between them was also determined after evaluation. The targeted zoning optimization was then proposed for the decision-making on the community-oriented transformation of the rural areas and the orderly reconstruction of space. Firstly, a hierarchical system was constructed for the 15-minute rural community life circle, including the basic, convenient and extended life circle, according to the residents’ travel demand. The three-level rural community life circles were covered the entire chain of the demands, particularly from the survival to the development of the rural communities. Secondly, exploratory data analysis was selected as the kernel density, in order to identify the spatial distribution of the rural settlements. A multi-dimensional evaluation index system was established to cover the social security (education and culture, medical and health care), infrastructure (transportation, and daily services), and the quality of life (catering and shopping, sports and leisure). The weights of evaluation indicators were determined to combine the analytic hierarchy and entropy. The configuration level of the rural community life circles was obtained after linear weighted summation. Thirdly, the coupling coordination degree model was used to analyze the spatial relationship between rural settlements and life circle elements. The comparative disadvantage index was used to identify the dominant unbalanced elements. Finally, the county-oriented optimal zones were obtained to combine the configuration level of the rural community life circles and the identification of unbalanced elements. The development direction of the different zones was then clarified after optimization. The results show that the spatial pattern of the rural settlements was presented the outstanding differentiation, indicating the patterns with the denser in the east and sparser in the west, as well as agglomerating in plain areas; Most settlements were in the small-scale clusters. The element configuration level of the rural community life circles shared an east-high and west-low gradient with the low-value agglomeration, whereas, the high-value areas were mainly distributed around provincial capitals and economically developed regions. There was the highest level of the element allocation in the basic life circle. While the convenient life circle was the lowest. The coupling coordination degree between rural settlements and life circle elements, as well as the distribution of the dominant unbalanced elements, were highly consistent with the east-west gradient of the regional natural and economic conditions. Among them, the quality of life was widely distributed in the main unbalanced area. While the social security or the infrastructure dimension were relatively rare in the contiguous poverty-stricken areas or the backward transportation. According to the county-level evaluation and identification of the unbalanced elements, the five types of zones were divided into the coordinated development, resource integration, optimization guidance, integration and improvement zones, as well as comprehensive rectification zones. Further strategies were proposed, such as the digital services in coordinated development zones, resource utilization in resource integration zones, and infrastructure in comprehensive rectification zones. There were the spatial and coupling relationship between rural settlements and community life circle elements. The zoning optimization can provide a scientific basis to guide the community-oriented transformation and the orderly reconstruction of the rural space. It is of great significance to promote the balanced and high-quality development in the rural areas. Some insights can be gained to further support the rural revitalization and county-level urbanization.