Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

A Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a geographic region with a large population and a high degree of economic and social integration. MSAs are defined by the United States Census Bureau and are used for statistical purposes, such as allocating federal funds and planning for transportation and other public services.

There are over 300 MSAs in the United States, ranging in size from New York City, which has a population of over 8 million people, to Aberdeen, South Dakota, which has a population of just over 20,000 people. MSAs are typically centered on a major city, but they can also include smaller cities and towns in the surrounding area.

The MSA concept is used by the Census Bureau to measure the size and growth of the U.S. population. MSAs are also used by businesses to plan for expansion and by governments to allocate resources.

The MSA concept has been criticized by some who argue that it does not accurately reflect the economic and social integration of some regions. For example, some argue that the MSA for New York City includes areas that are not economically or socially integrated with the city, such as the suburbs of Long Island and Westchester County.

Despite these criticisms, the MSA concept remains the most widely used method for defining metropolitan areas in the United States.

In addition to the MSA, the Census Bureau also defines a Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA). A CBSA is an MSA or a micropolitan statistical area (µSA). A µSA is a smaller geographic region with a population of at least 10,000 people and a high degree of economic and social integration.

There are over 1,000 CBSAs in the United States, ranging in size from New York City, which has a population of over 8 million people, to Bethel Island, California, which has a population of just over 10,000 people. CBSAs are typically centered on a major city, but they can also include smaller cities and towns in the surrounding area.

The CBSA concept is used by the Census Bureau to measure the size and growth of the U.S. population. CBSAs are also used by businesses to plan for expansion and by governments to allocate resources.

The CBSA concept has been criticized by some who argue that it does not accurately reflect the economic and social integration of some regions. For example, some argue that the CBSA for New York City includes areas that are not economically or socially integrated with the city, such as the suburbs of Long Island and Westchester County.

Despite these criticisms, the CBSA concept remains the most widely used method for defining metropolitan areas in the United States.