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Metropolitan statistical area Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: U.S. Metropolitan and Core-Based Statistical Areas: Definitions, History, and Demographics

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U.S. Metropolitan and Core-Based Statistical Areas: Definitions, History, and Demographics Study Guide

Foundational Concepts and Definitions of U.S. Statistical Areas

Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are legally incorporated cities within the United States.

Answer: False

Explanation: Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) based on geographical regions with high population density and economic ties, not as legally incorporated cities.

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The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is solely responsible for defining Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) for all purposes, including legal and administrative ones.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the OMB defines MSAs for statistical purposes, these definitions are not exclusively used for all legal and administrative purposes, and other agencies may have different designations.

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Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) are formed by merging adjacent Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) that exhibit minimal commuting ties between them.

Answer: False

Explanation: Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) are formed by merging adjacent Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) that exhibit significant, not minimal, commuting ties between them, typically measured by an employment interchange of 15% or more.

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A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) with a core urban population between 10,000 and 49,999 is classified as a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

Answer: False

Explanation: A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) with a core urban population between 10,000 and 49,999 is classified as a Micropolitan Statistical Area (ÎĽSA), not a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which requires a core population of 50,000 or more.

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The San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA MSA is part of the San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area (CSA).

Answer: True

Explanation: The San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA MSA is indeed a component of the larger San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), reflecting the hierarchical structure of these statistical regions.

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Which U.S. federal agency is responsible for defining Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs)?

Answer: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Explanation: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an agency within the Executive Office of the President, is responsible for defining Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) for statistical purposes.

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What is the primary characteristic that defines a Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) according to the source?

Answer: An urban area with a population of at least 10,000, surrounded by counties with strong commuting ties.

Explanation: A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) is primarily defined by an urban core area with a population of at least 10,000, coupled with surrounding counties exhibiting strong social and economic integration, typically measured by commuting patterns.

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Which of the following is NOT listed as a component of the Washington–Baltimore–Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA CSA?

Answer: Richmond, VA MSA

Explanation: The Richmond, VA MSA is not listed as a component of the Washington–Baltimore–Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA CSA; the other listed MSAs are components.

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What does the term 'MSA' stand for?

Answer: Metropolitan Statistical Area

Explanation: MSA is an abbreviation for Metropolitan Statistical Area, a designation used by the U.S. federal government to define specific geographical regions.

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Historical Evolution of Metropolitan Delineations

Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) is the current term used by the OMB for these geographical regions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) is a historical term; the current designations used by the OMB are Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Micropolitan Statistical Areas (ÎĽSAs), collectively known as Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs).

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The OMB proposed doubling the minimum population requirement for an MSA to 100,000 in 2021, but this change was implemented.

Answer: False

Explanation: The OMB did propose doubling the minimum population requirement for an MSA to 100,000 in 2021, but this change was not implemented; the 50,000 threshold was maintained for the 2020 cycle delineations.

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The earliest classification for large urban centers and surrounding areas by the Census Bureau was called a 'Metropolitan Area'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The earliest classification for large urban centers and surrounding areas by the Census Bureau, established in 1910, was termed a 'metropolitan district,' not simply 'Metropolitan Area'.

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The population threshold for metropolitan districts was consistently increased over time by the Census Bureau.

Answer: False

Explanation: The population threshold for metropolitan districts was consistently decreased over time by the Census Bureau, starting at 200,000 in 1910 and subsequently lowered to 100,000 and then 50,000.

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Standard Metropolitan Areas (SMAs) replaced metropolitan districts in the 1950 census and were later renamed Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs) in 1959.

Answer: True

Explanation: Standard Metropolitan Areas (SMAs) were indeed introduced in the 1950 census, succeeding metropolitan districts, and were subsequently renamed Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs) in 1959.

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The number of metropolitan areas decreased significantly between 1950 and 1980.

Answer: False

Explanation: The number of metropolitan areas significantly increased between 1950 (172 areas) and 1980 (288 areas), contrary to a decrease.

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Which historical term was used for metropolitan areas before the current MSA and CBSA classifications?

Answer: Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA)

Explanation: Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) was a prominent historical term used for metropolitan regions prior to the current MSA and CBSA classifications established by the OMB.

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What was the proposed, but ultimately rejected, minimum population threshold for an MSA in the OMB's January 2021 proposal?

Answer: 100,000

Explanation: In January 2021, the OMB put forth a proposal to elevate the minimum population threshold for an urban area to qualify as a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) from 50,000 to 100,000. Nevertheless, the OMB ultimately elected to retain the established 50,000 population threshold for the 2020 cycle delineations.

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The Census Bureau's 1910 classification for large urban centers had an initial population threshold of:

Answer: 200,000

Explanation: The Census Bureau's initial classification for large urban centers in 1910, termed 'metropolitan districts,' established a population threshold of 200,000.

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Criteria and Methodology for Statistical Area Delineation

Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) are defined by the U.S. Census Bureau based on population density alone.

Answer: False

Explanation: Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) are defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), utilizing criteria that include population density and commuting ties, not solely population density, and are utilized by the Census Bureau.

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For an outlying county to be included in a CBSA, at least 50% of its workers must commute to the central county.

Answer: False

Explanation: The criteria for including outlying counties in a Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) require that at least 25% of the workers residing in the outlying county commute to the central county, not 50%.

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An urban area needs a minimum population of 200,000 to be considered part of a CBSA's central counties.

Answer: False

Explanation: The minimum population threshold for an urban area to be considered part of a CBSA's central counties is 10,000, not 200,000.

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What is the minimum population threshold for a core urban area for a Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) to be classified as a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)?

Answer: 50,000

Explanation: A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) is designated as a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) when its core urban area possesses a population of at least 50,000 individuals.

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What is the minimum percentage of workers commuting between adjacent CBSAs required to form a Combined Statistical Area (CSA)?

Answer: 15%

Explanation: A minimum employment interchange measure of 15% between adjacent Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) is required for them to be combined into a single Combined Statistical Area (CSA).

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What is the primary criterion used by the OMB to determine if outlying counties should be included in a CBSA?

Answer: Strong social and economic integration, measured by commuting patterns.

Explanation: The primary criterion for including outlying counties in a CBSA is the demonstration of strong social and economic integration, predominantly assessed through commuting patterns between the outlying county and the central county.

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What is the population threshold for an urban area to be considered part of a CBSA's central counties?

Answer: 10,000

Explanation: An urban area must contain a minimum population of 10,000 individuals to be eligible for consideration as part of a CBSA's central counties.

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Demographic Analysis of U.S. Statistical Areas

The table detailing U.S. MSAs includes data on the percentage change in population from the 2024 estimate to the 2020 census.

Answer: False

Explanation: The table details the percentage change in population from the April 1, 2020, census to the July 1, 2024, estimate, not the other way around.

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According to 2024 estimates, the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim MSA had a larger population than the New York–Newark–Jersey City MSA.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to 2024 estimates, the New York–Newark–Jersey City MSA maintained a larger population than the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim MSA.

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The New Orleans–Metairie, LA MSA experienced the most significant population growth between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024.

Answer: False

Explanation: The New Orleans–Metairie, LA MSA experienced a population decrease of 4.07% between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024, indicating a decline rather than significant growth.

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The Walla Walla, WA MSA is listed as the smallest U.S. MSA based on the 2020 census population.

Answer: False

Explanation: Based on the provided data, the Eagle Pass, TX MSA was the smallest U.S. MSA by population according to the 2020 census, not the Walla Walla, WA MSA.

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There are exactly five Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) listed for Puerto Rico in the provided data.

Answer: False

Explanation: The provided data lists six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) for Puerto Rico, not five.

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The Guayama, PR MSA had the largest population among Puerto Rican MSAs as of the 2024 estimate.

Answer: False

Explanation: The San Juan–Bayamón–Caguas, PR MSA had the largest population among Puerto Rican MSAs as of the 2024 estimate, not the Guayama, PR MSA.

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Which of the following MSAs had the largest estimated population as of July 1, 2024?

Answer: New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ

Explanation: As of July 1, 2024, the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ MSA held the largest estimated population among the listed options.

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Which U.S. MSA experienced the highest percentage population growth between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024?

Answer: Wildwood–The Villages, FL

Explanation: The Wildwood–The Villages, FL MSA exhibited the highest percentage population growth, registering an increase of 19.22% between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024.

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What was the percentage population decrease for the New Orleans–Metairie, LA MSA between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024?

Answer: -4.07%

Explanation: The New Orleans–Metairie, LA MSA experienced a population decrease of 4.07% during the period from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2024.

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Based on the 2024 estimates, which MSA in Puerto Rico had the largest population?

Answer: San Juan–Bayamón–Caguas, PR MSA

Explanation: The San Juan–Bayamón–Caguas, PR MSA registered the largest population among Puerto Rican MSAs according to the 2024 estimates.

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Which MSA in the United States had the smallest population according to the 2020 census data provided in the source?

Answer: Eagle Pass, TX MSA

Explanation: Based on the 2020 census data presented, the Eagle Pass, TX MSA registered the smallest population among the listed U.S. MSAs.

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Which MSA in the 'South' region showed the highest population growth percentage between 2020 and 2024?

Answer: Myrtle Beach–Conway–North Myrtle Beach, SC

Explanation: Within the 'South' region, the Myrtle Beach–Conway–North Myrtle Beach, SC MSA demonstrated the highest population growth percentage, registering 17.77% between 2020 and 2024.

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Which of the following MSAs experienced a population decrease between the 2020 census and the 2024 estimate, according to the provided data?

Answer: Cleveland, OH

Explanation: The Cleveland, OH MSA experienced a population decrease between the 2020 census and the 2024 estimate, indicating a decline in its resident population during that period.

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Source Metadata and Data Interpretation

The latest revisions to Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) delineations were released in 2020.

Answer: False

Explanation: The latest revisions to Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) delineations were released by the OMB on July 21, 2023, not in 2020.

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The 'Authority control' section provides links to databases like FAST to help catalog the subject of the article, ensuring consistency.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Authority control' section indeed provides links to cataloging databases, such as FAST, which aids in standardizing the identification and referencing of the article's subject matter.

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The '2023Adj' footnote indicates that population figures were adjusted due to changes in Combined Statistical Area (CSA) definitions.

Answer: False

Explanation: The '2023Adj' footnote signifies adjustments to population figures reflecting new Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) delineations that were redefined in 2023, not necessarily changes in CSA definitions.

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When were the most recent delineations for Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) released by the OMB?

Answer: July 21, 2023

Explanation: The most recent delineations for Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) were released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on July 21, 2023.

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