a statistical geographic entity consisting of the county or counties associated with at least one core (urbanized area or urban cluster) of at least 10,000 people, plus adjacent counties having a high degree of social and economic integration with the core as measured through commuting ties with the counties containing the core. The two categories of CBSAs are metropolitan statistical area and micropolitan statistical area.
population classification, introduced by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2000, consisting of the county or counties associated with at least one core of 10,000 or greater population, plus adjacent counties having a high degree of social and economic integration with the core(s) as measured by commuting ties.
Example: Core-based statistical areas are classified as micropolitan statistical areas if their population is 10,000-49,999 and Metropolitan Statistical Areas if its 50,000 or more. The largest city in each metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area is designated a "principal city." Additional cities qualify if specified requirements are met concerning population size and employment.
