Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA)
Overview
Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) is a U.S. geographic area defined by the Office of Management and Budget that consists of one or more counties anchored by an urban center of at least 10,000 people plus adjacent counties that are socioeconomically tied to the urban center. CBSAs are classified into Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Micropolitan Statistical Areas based on population size.
Key Concepts
Urban core is the densely settled area that anchors a CBSA. Central county is the county containing all or the largest portion of the urban core. Outlying county is a county with strong commuting ties to the central county. Principal city is the largest city in the CBSA and other qualifying cities. Commuting threshold is the 25% minimum employment interchange for outlying counties.
Classification
| Type | Urban Core Population | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan (MSA) | 50,000+ | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta |
| Micropolitan (μSA) | 10,000-49,999 | Rome, GA |
CBSA Codes
- 5-digit numeric codes assigned by OMB
- Updated periodically (typically after each decennial census)
- Example: 35620 = New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
Appendix
Created: 2025-12-13 | Modified: 2025-12-13
See Also
- Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
- Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB)