The term microplastics is rising in society and quickly gaining attention. It has strong effects on communities and ecosystems beyond our current understanding. The presence of microplastics has been extensively studied in marine environments, but there is a lack of clear data in freshwater environments and patterns throughout urbanization. In this study, we aim to understand the presence and impact of microplastics in freshwater systems from two different, yet comparable, urbanized perspectives. Samples from the headwaters of the Davidson River in Brevard, NC, and the Ragati in Karatina, Kenya, have been analyzed. These two collection sites have been chosen based on common urbanization patterns and population densities to ensure fair comparisons. Our analysis process consists of density separation, digestion, and observation under microscopes. We hypothesize that microplastics will be found at lower concentrations near headwater catchments due to less human impact. We expect this concentration gradient to increase further downstream, as streams run through the centers of towns and daily living practices impact nearby ecosystems. We also expect that these two areas may have differing livelihoods and practices, such as waste management, eco-awareness, and socioeconomic status. At the end of this study, we will contextualize what the presence of microplastics means in two separate urbanized settings and how socioeconomic standing impacts data. These findings will add to the scientific community's knowledge on the role of urbanization and economic development on microplastics pollution in freshwater systems, and will further push more research on the matter to the surface.