Metropolitan Statistical Area
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. MSAs are defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and used by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes.
For example, the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA MSA includes New York City, Newark, and Jersey City as its core cities, along with surrounding counties in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
MSAs play a crucial role in understanding urban areas’ development, growth, and economic impact on the surrounding regions. They help policymakers, businesses, and researchers analyze demographic trends, economic activities, and social dynamics within a specific metropolitan area.
Some of the largest MSAs in the United States include Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington.
For more information, you can visit the Wikipedia page on Metropolitan Statistical Area.