Editing Core-based statistical area (section)

==Definition==
[[File:NECTA Divisions.png|thumb|right|An enlargeable map of the [[New England city and town area]]s (NECTAs) of the [[United States]]]]
[[File:Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas (CBSAs) of the United States and Puerto Rico, Feb 2013.gif|thumb|An enlargeable map of the 929 core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) of the [[United States]] and [[Puerto Rico]]. The 388 [[metropolitan statistical area]]s (MSAs) are shown in <span style="color:#9FD18B;">dark green</span>. The 541 [[micropolitan statistical area]]s (μSAs) are shown in <span style="color:#CEE6C0;">light green</span>.]]
The term "CBSA" refers collectively to both metropolitan statistical areas and [[United States micropolitan area|micropolitan areas]]. Micropolitan areas are based on Census Bureau-defined urban clusters of at least 10,000 and fewer than 50,000 people.

The basic definition of metropolitan areas was changed in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |first1=William H. |last1=Frey |authorlink1=William H. Frey |first2=Jill H. |last2=Wilson |first3=Alan |last3=Berube |first4=Audrey |last4=Singer |title=Tracking Metropolitan America into the 21st Century |url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20041115_metrodefinitions.pdf |publisher=[[Brookings Institution]] |date=November 2004 |access-date=August 16, 2024}}</ref> A metropolitan area, as it did in 1990, requires a Census Bureau-defined urbanized area of at least 50,000 people. A metropolitan statistical area containing an urbanized area of at least 2.5 million people can be subdivided into two or more "metropolitan divisions", provided specified criteria are met. Metropolitan divisions are conceptually similar to the primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSAs) defined under previous standards.

Similarly, there are now definitions for [[combined statistical area]]s (CSAs). These areas can be formed when adjoining CBSAs meet particular standards to become new areas. Any combination of metro and micro areas may be used to form a CSA.

The metropolitan areas in [[New England]] became county-based, consistent with the rest of the U.S. Previously, these were referred to by the Census Bureau as New England county metropolitan areas (NECMA) and were separate from the normal census counts for the areas, based on [[New England town|cities and towns]]. They have essentially swapped places now, with the city and town areas (or NECTAs, for [[New England city and town area]]s) being the separate listings.

Not much changed in the basic definition, but 49 new metropolitan areas were formed.{{When|date=June 2011}} Over 550 other areas were classified as micropolitan. The rules have defined 935 CBSAs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Eleven of the CBSAs have metropolitan divisions, 29 in total. In comparison, the definition of metropolitan areas in 1999, the last year areas were formed based on the 1990 rules for them, has 284 metropolitan areas, with 19 of the areas providing 76 primary metropolitan areas (the equivalent of divisions). Almost three times the number of areas overall are recognized by the OMB.