Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Overview
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a type of Core-Based Statistical Area that has at least one urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more inhabitants, along with adjacent territories that have a high degree of social and economic integration with the core. MSAs are defined by the OMB and are widely used for economic analysis and federal program administration.
Key Concepts
Urbanized area is a densely developed territory with a population of 50,000 or more. Principal city is the largest city in the MSA and other cities meeting population/employment thresholds. Metropolitan division is a subdivision of large MSAs with populations of 2.5 million or more. Outlying county is a county with substantial commuting ties (25%+) to the central county.
Structure
Metropolitan Statistical Area
├── Central County (contains urban core)
├── Outlying County (25%+ commuting)
└── Outlying County (25%+ commuting)
└── May be subdivided into Metropolitan Divisions
Examples
| MSA | 2020 Pop | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 19.8M | 23 counties in NY, NJ, PA |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 13.0M | 2 counties |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 9.5M | 14 counties in IL, IN, WI |
Appendix
Created: 2025-12-13 | Modified: 2025-12-13
See Also
- Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA)
- Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB)