Appendix II Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: Concepts, Components, and Population The United States Office of Management Defining Metropolitan and Micropoli- and Budget (OMB) defines metropolitan tan Statistical Areas—The 2000 stan- and micropolitan statistical areas accord- dards provide that each CBSA must con- ing to published standards that are ap- tain at least one urban area of 10,000 or plied to U.S. Census Bureau data. The more population. Each metropolitan sta- general concept of a metropolitan or mic- tistical area must have at least one urban- ropolitan statistical area is that of a core ized area of 50,000 or more inhabitants. area containing a substantial population Each micropolitan statistical area must nucleus, together with adjacent communi- have at least one urban cluster of at least ties having a high degree of economic 10,000 but less than 50,000 population. and social integration with that core. Cur- Under the standards, the county (or coun- rently defined metropolitan and micro- ties) in which at least 50 percent of the politan statistical areas are based on ap- population resides within urban areas of plication of 2000 standards (which 10,000 or more population, or that con- appeared in the Federal Register on De- tain at least 5,000 people residing within cember 27, 2000) to 2000 decennial cen- a single urban area of 10,000 or more sus data. Current metropolitan and micro- population, is identified as a ‘‘central politan statistical area definitions were announced by OMB effective June 6, county’’ (counties). Additional ‘‘outlying 2003, and subsequently updated as of counties’’ are included in the CBSA if they December 2003, November 2004, meet specified requirements of commut- December 2005, December 2006, ing to or from the central counties. Coun- November 2007, and November 2008. ties or equivalent entities form the geo- graphic ‘‘building blocks’’ for metropolitan Standard definitions of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas through- areas were first issued in 1949 by the out the United States and Puerto Rico. then Bureau of the Budget (predecessor of OMB), under the designation ‘‘standard If specified criteria are met, a metropoli- metropolitan area’’ (SMA). The term was tan statistical area containing a single changed to ‘‘standard metropolitan statis- core with a population of 2.5 million or tical area’’ (SMSA) in 1959 and to ‘‘metro- more may be subdivided to form smaller politan statistical area’’ (MSA) in 1983. groupings of counties referred to as ‘‘met- The term ‘‘metropolitan area’’ (MA) was ropolitan divisions.’’ adopted in 1990 and referred collectively As of November 2008, there are 366 met- to metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), ropolitan statistical areas and 574 micro- consolidated metropolitan statistical areas (CMSAs), and primary metropolitan statis- politan statistical areas in the United tical areas (PMSAs). The term ‘‘core-based States. In addition, there are eight metro- statistical area’’ (CBSA) became effective politan statistical areas and five micropoli- in 2000 and refers collectively to metro- tan statistical areas in Puerto Rico. politan and micropolitan statistical areas. Principal Cities and Metropolitan and OMB has been responsible for the official Micropolitan Statistical Area Titles— metropolitan areas since they were first The largest city in each metropolitan or defined, except for the period 1977 to micropolitan statistical area is designated 1981, when they were the responsibility a ‘‘principal city.’’ Additional cities qualify of the Office of Federal Statistical Policy if specified requirements are met concern- and Standards, U.S. Department of Com- ing population size and employment. The merce. The standards for defining metro- title of each metropolitan or micropolitan politan areas were modified in 1958, statistical area consists of the names of 1971, 1975, 1980, 1990, and 2000. up to three of its principal cities and the Appendix II 879 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010 name of each state into which the metro- In some instances, formerly separate politan or micropolitan statistical area ex- areas have been merged, components of tends. Titles of metropolitan divisions an area have been transferred from one also typically are based on principal city area to another, or components have been names, but in certain cases consist of dropped from an area. The large majority county names. of changes have taken place on the basis of decennial census data. However, Cen- Defining New England City and Town sus Bureau data serve as the basis for Areas—In view of the importance of cit- intercensal updates in specified circum- ies and towns in New England, the 2000 standards also provide for a set of geo- stances. graphic areas that are defined using cities Because of these historical changes in and towns in the six New England states. The New England city and town areas geographic definitions, users must be (NECTAs) are defined using the same cri- cautious in comparing data for these sta- teria as metropolitan and micropolitan tistical areas from different dates. For statistical areas and are identified as ei- some purposes, comparisons of data for ther metropolitan or micropolitan, based, areas as defined at given dates may be respectively, on the presence of either an appropriate; for other purposes, it may be urbanized area of 50,000 or more popula- preferable to maintain consistent area tion or an urban cluster of at least 10,000 definitions. Historical metropolitan area but less than 50,000 population. If the definitions are available for 1999, 1993, specified criteria are met, a NECTA con- 1990, 1983, 1981, 1973, 1970, 1963, taining a single core with a population of 1960, and 1950. at least 2.5 million may be subdivided to form smaller groupings of cities and Excluding Tables 20 through 24 in the towns referred to as New England city Population section; Table 581 in the Labor and town area divisions. Force section; Table 667 in the Income section, and the tables that follow in this Changes in Definitions Over Time— appendix, the tables presenting data for Changes in the definitions of these statis- metropolitan areas in this edition of the tical areas since the 1950 census have Statistical Abstract are based on the 1999 consisted chiefly of (1) the recognition of or earlier metropolitan area definitions. new areas as they reached the minimum For a list of component counties accord- required city or urbanized area population ing to the 1999 definition, see Appendix and (2) the addition of counties (or cities II in the 2002 edition of the Statistical and towns in New England) to existing Abstract or <http://www.census.gov areas as new decennial census data /population /www/estimates/pastmetro showed them to qualify. .html>. 880 Appendix II U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010 Figure A1 Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas of the United States As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, November 2007 Metropolitan Statistical Area Micropolitan Statistical Area Territory Outside Core Based Appendix II 881 Statistical Areas Note: Under the 1990 standards, metropolitan areas were defined using counties, except in New England where minor civil divisions (MCDs) were used. Under the 2000 standards, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas are defined using counties nationwide. For New England, the 2000 standards also identify a complementary set of areas-- New England city and town areas (NECTAs)-- defined using MCDs. Figure A2 Metropolitan and Micropolitan New England City and Town Areas (NECTAs) As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, November 2007 Metropolitan NECTA Micropolitan NECTA Territory Outside NECTAs Note: Under the 2000 standards, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas are defined using counties nationwide. For New England, the 2000 standards also identify a complementary set of areas-- New England city and town areas (NECTAs) -- defined using MCDs. 882 Appendix II U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010 Table A. Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Components— Population: 2008 [Population as of July 2008. (160 represents 160,000). Metropolitan statistical areas as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget as of November 2007. All geographic boundaries for 2008 population estimates are defined as of January 1, 2008. All metropolitan areas are arranged alphabetically] Popu- Popu- Popu- Metropolitan statistical area lation, Metropolitan statistical area lation, Metropolitan statistical area lation, Metropolitan division 2008 Metropolitan division 2008 Metropolitan division 2008 Component county (1,000) Component county (1,000) Component county (1,000) Abilene, TX............. 160’’ Athens-Clarke County, GA . 189 Baton Rouge, LA ........ 774 Callahan County, TX.... 14 Clarke County, GA ..... 115 Ascension Parish, LA . 102 Jones County, TX...... 19 Madison County, GA.... 28 East Baton Rouge Par- Taylor County, TX...... 127 Oconee County, GA .... 32 ish, LA ............ 428 Oglethorpe County, GA . 14 East Feliciana Parish, Akron, OH ............. 699 LA............... 21 Portage County, OH .... 156 Atlanta-Sandy Springs- Iberville Parish, LA ..... 33 Summit County, OH .... 543 Marietta, GA ........... 5,376 Livingston Parish, LA . 120 Barrow County, GA..... 70 Pointe Coupee Parish, Albany, GA ............. 165