Statistical area (United States)

Population tables of U.S. cities
The skyline of New York City, the most populous city in the United States
Cities
Population Area Density Ethnic identity Foreign-born Income Spanish speakers capitals By decade By state By decade/state
Urban areas
Populous cities and metropolitan areas
Metropolitan areas
184 combined statistical areas 935 core-based statistical areas 393 metropolitan statistical areas 542 micropolitan statistical areas
Megaregions
See related population lists North American metro areas World cities States and territories
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The United States federal government defines and delineates the nation's metropolitan areas for statistical purposes, using a set of standard statistical area definitions. As of 2023,^[update] the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defined and delineated 393 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and 542 micropolitan statistical areas (μSAs) in the United States and Puerto Rico.^[1] Many of these 935 MSAs and μSAs are, in turn, components of larger combined statistical areas (CSAs) consisting of adjacent MSAs and μSAs that are linked by commuting ties; as of 2023,^[update] 582 metropolitan and micropolitan areas are components of the 184 defined CSAs.

Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas are defined as consisting of one or more adjacent counties or county equivalents with at least one urban core area meeting relevant population thresholds, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core, as measured by commuting ties. A metropolitan statistical area has at least one core with a population of at least 50,000. In a micropolitan statistical area, the largest core has a population of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000.