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Metropolitan statistical area

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The Metropolitan Statistical Areas are shown in red on this enlargeable map of the Core Based Statistical Areas of the United States.

In the United States a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are not legally incorporated as a city or town would be, nor are they legal administrative divisions like counties or sovereign entities like states. As such the precise definition of any given metropolitan area can vary with the source. A typical metropolitan area is centered around a single large city that wields substantial influence over the region (e.g. Chicago). However, some metropolitan areas contain more than one large city with no single municipality holding a substantially dominant position (e.g. Minneapolis – Saint Paul).

MSAs are defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget only, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau and other U.S. government agencies for statistical purposes only.[1]

Definitions

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines a set of core based statistical areas (CBSAs) throughout the country. CBSAs are delineated on the basis of a central urban area or urban cluster—a contiguous area of relatively high population density. CBSAs are composed of counties and county-equivalents.[2] The counties containing the core urban area are known as the central counties of the CBSA. Additional surrounding counties (known as outlying counties) can be included in the CBSA if these counties have strong social and economic ties to the central counties as measured by commuting and employment. Outlying counties are included in the CBSA if the employment interchange measure (total of in commuting and out commuting) is 25% or more, although these numbers are estimates, and exceptions are made. Note that some areas within these outlying counties may actually be rural in nature. CBSAs are subdivided into metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and micropolitan statistical areas based on the population of the core urban area. Under certain conditions, one or more CBSAs may be grouped together to form a larger statistical entity known as a combined statistical area (CSA). Other names, such as Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) and Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area, have been used in the past but are now discontinued.[3] In New England, because of the greater importance of towns over counties, similar areas are defined based on town units, known as New England City and Town Areas (NECTAs). U.S. census statistics for metropolitan areas are reported based on these definitions.

Hierarchy

  • Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
    • Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
    • Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)

Leading population centers

 
Largest metropolitan areas in the United States
Rank Name Region Pop. Rank Name Region Pop.
New York
New York
Los Angeles
Los Angeles 		1 New York Northeast 19,498,249 11 Boston Northeast 4,919,179 Chicago
Chicago
Dallas–Fort Worth
Dallas–Fort Worth
2 Los Angeles West 12,799,100 12 Riverside–San Bernardino West 4,688,053
3 Chicago Midwest 9,262,825 13 San Francisco West 4,566,961
4 Dallas–Fort Worth South 8,100,037 14 Detroit Midwest 4,342,304
5 Houston South 7,510,253 15 Seattle West 4,044,837
6 Atlanta South 6,307,261 16 Minneapolis–Saint Paul Midwest 3,712,020
7 Washington, D.C. South 6,304,975 17 Tampa–St. Petersburg South 3,342,963
8 Philadelphia Northeast 6,246,160 18 San Diego West 3,269,973
9 Miami South 6,183,199 19 Denver West 3,005,131
10 Phoenix West 5,070,110 20 Baltimore South 2,834,316


See also

Template:US Census Labelled Map

References

  1. ^ Nussle, Jim (Nov. 20, 2008). "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. pp. 1–2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Census Geographic Glossary, U.S. Census Bureau
  3. ^ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Metropolitan and NECTA Divisions published by CES". U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. January 28, 2011.
  5. ^ "May 2009 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Definitions". U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. August 16, 2010.
  6. ^ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020–2023". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2024.

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