To answer the OP:
In a single engine aircraft where one has lost the engine, rather than in an out of control flight situation, or when one is on fire, you will find in some training manuals a step in your emergecy procedure to 'head toward an unpopulated area' - I taught Navy flight students in the T-34C in the 80's and 00's. That specific consideration was part of the training. (Yes, it was near the end of the procedure)
It was also a subject of ready room discussions in other single engine aircraft and helicopters that I flew.
How well one is able to put that thought into action on a given day when things go pear shaped will depend heavily on the situation.
In a nutshell:
it is part of the training to try and point away from where people are, but one is not always able to control that element depending on the nature of the problem one is trying to deal with (as noted by a few of the old hands who have already posted).