Maps of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas

Map: 2003 Geography - Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA)

Map: 2003 Geography - Kentucky MICROPOLITAN and Metropolitan Areas

Map: 2000 Geography - Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas according to published standards that are applied to Census Bureau data. The general concept of a metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area is that of a core area containing a substantial population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social integration with that core. Currently defined metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas are based on application of 2000 standards to 2000 decennial census data. New metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area definitions were announced by OMB effective June 6, 2003. These may be revised annually by OMB so you want to review the current definitions.

Standard definitions of metropolitan areas were first issued in 1949 by the then Bureau of the Budget (predecessor of OMB), under the designation "standard metropolitan area" (SMA). The term was changed to "standard metropolitan statistical area" (SMSA) in 1959, and to "metropolitan statistical area" (MSA) in 1983. The term "metropolitan area" (MA) was adopted in 1990 and referred collectively to metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), consolidated metropolitan statistical areas (CMSAs), and primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSAs). The term "core based statistical area" (CBSA) became effective in 2000 and refers collectively to metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas.

Note: For a better understanding of this topic, please read the Census Bureau discussion and history of Metropolitan and Micropolitan concepts. You can follow the additions and changes at this Census Bureau link to current definitions.