Census Geography Issues

MPO and TMA Definitions Based On Census 2000 Urbanized Area Criteria

MPOs and TMAs are designated based on urbanized area population (50,000 threshold for MPOs and 200,000 threshold for TMAs). The Census Bureau has recommended a new definition of urbanized areas and urban clusters. The Census Bureau released new definitions on May 1, 2002.

• Census Bureau Geography Division Website on Urbanized Area definition (includes lists of urbanized areas and urban clusters)
• Federal Register: July 8, 2002, Designation of Transportation Management Areas

Boundary Files

• Frequently Asked Questions Applying 2000 Census Data to Urbanized and Urban Areas March 31, 2003 Version
• Census Bureau Geography Division TIGER/Line
• Where to get shape file formats of TIGER/Line 2000
• 2000 Urbanized Area Boundary by State and County (If an UZA crosses county boundaries, shapefiles will need to be downloaded for multiple counties)
• National 2000 Urbanized Area Boundaries-one nationwide file in Shape file format (32 MB ZIP file)