If you work with demographic or economic statistical data, you’re likely familiar with the acronym MSA. This stands for Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Area. In either case, MSA’s are an important regional geography built using population density, jobs and commuting patterns.
The counties included in these delineations are used by numerous federal agencies and are a popular basis for compiling information about the economy and employment.
In September 2018, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget published revised MSA boundaries based on data from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey.
MSA-level tabulations in the latest American Community Survey (2013-2017), and earlier census releases still reflect the boundaries released in 2013. New boundaries will be incorporated in Census Bureau products, most likely beginning in 2020 (e.g. 2019 ACS 1-year estimates).
Interactive comparison map
To help with the transition, we’ve prepared an interactive map showing the old and new delineations in a side-by-side comparison application.