Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA)

Definition

A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) is a geographical region defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that centers on an urban area (city or town) with a population of at least 10,000. CBSAs are further classified into two subcategories based on the population size of the core urban area:

1. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA): Urban areas with a core population of at least 50,000.
2. Micropolitan Statistical Areas: Urban areas with a core population between 10,000 and 49,999.

CBSAs are used by various government agencies and businesses for statistical, planning, and policy-making purposes.

Examples

1. New York Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): As per the 2010 census, the New York MSA is the largest CBSA with over 19.3 million inhabitants. It includes New York City and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.
2. State College, Pennsylvania Micropolitan Statistical Area: An example of a Micropolitan Statistical Area with an urban core population between 10,000 and 49,999.
3. Tullulah, Louisiana: According to the 2010 census, this is classified as the smallest CBSA with approximately 12,000 residents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the purpose of defining CBSAs? A: CBSAs help in organizing and analyzing demographic data, determining areas for federal funding, planning regional development, and understanding local economies.

Q2: How often are CBSAs updated? A: CBSAs are typically updated each decade following the comprehensive population census but can be revised periodically based on new data and urban development.

Q3: How do CBSAs affect real estate markets? A: Understanding the classification and trends of CBSAs allows real estate professionals to make data-driven investment decisions, recognizing areas of growth or decline.

Q4: Can areas move between Micropolitan and Metropolitan status? A: Yes, as population dynamics change, urban areas can shift categories. Growth in population may boost a Micropolitan Statistical Area to a Metropolitan Statistical Area, and conversely, population decline can reverse the shift.

Q5: What are the differences between CBSAs and Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs)? A: Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) are larger geographic entities created when two or more adjacent CBSAs have significant employment interchange and socio-economic ties.

Related Terms

Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA)

Metropolitan Statistical Areas are CBSAs with a central urban area having a population of at least 50,000.

Micropolitan Statistical Areas

These are CBSAs with a central urban area having a population between 10,000 and 49,999.

Combined Statistical Areas (CSA)

A geographically contiguous area combining two or more CBSAs that have a high degree of socio-economic integration as measured by employment interchange.

Urbanized Area

A contiguous area of Census blocks that are densely developed and urban in nature.

Online Resources

1. U.S. Census Bureau - Geographic Terms and Concepts
2. Office of Management and Budget - Statistical Area Definitions
3. Bureau of Economic Analysis - Metropolitan and Micropolitan

References

• U.S. Census Bureau, “Geographic Terms and Concepts - Core Based Statistical Areas and Related Statistical Areas.”
• Office of Management and Budget, “OMB Bulletin No. 20-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas and Guidance on Uses of These Areas.”

Suggested Books for Further Studies

1. “Geographic Information Systems and Science” by Paul A. Longley
2. “The Role of Core-Based Statistical Areas in the US Labor Market” by Yu Hsing
3. “Spatial Analysis Methods in Population Studies” by Guillemard et al.
4. “Urban Economics and Real Estate: Theory and Policy” by John F. McDonald

Real Estate Basics: Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) Fundamentals Quiz