Statistical Areas-- Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), Micropolitan Statistical Areas, Metropolitan Divisions, Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs)

Bureau of Economic Analysis, 24 April 2008

The metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and micropolitan statistical area definitions used by BEA for its personal income estimates are the county-based definitions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Federal statistical purposes, updated November 2007.

OMB's general concept of a metropolitan statistical area or a micropolitan statistical area is an area consisting of a recognized population nucleus and adjacent communities that have a high degree of integration with that nucleus. There are 363 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), 577 micropolitan statistical areas, 123 combined statistical areas (CSAs), and 29 metropolitan divisions, within the 50 states and the District of Columbia.