Combined Statistical Area (CSA)

Overview

Combined Statistical Area (CSA) is a U.S. geographic area defined by the Office of Management and Budget that consists of two or more adjacent Core-Based Statistical Areas with substantial employment interchange. CSAs represent larger regional economic areas and labor markets.

Key Concepts

Employment interchange is the measure of commuting between adjacent CBSAs that determines CSA membership. Commuting threshold is the 15% minimum employment interchange required for combination. Component CBSAs are the metropolitan and micropolitan areas that make up a CSA. Principal city is the largest city in each component CBSA.

Examples

CSAPopulationComponents
New York-Newark~23MNYC Metro, Bridgeport, Trenton, etc.
Los Angeles-Long Beach~18MLA Metro, Riverside, Oxnard
Chicago-Naperville~10MChicago Metro, Gary, Kankakee

Appendix

Created: 2025-12-13 | Modified: 2025-12-13

See Also