Metropolitan Area Title and Code

The title of a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) contains the name of its largest central city and up to two additional place names, provided that the additional places meet specified levels of population, employment, and commuting. Generally, a place with a population of 250,000 or more is in the title, regardless of other criteria.

The title of a primary metropolitan statistical area (PMSA) may contain up to three place names, as determined above, or up to three county The primary political divisions of most States are termed "counties." In Louisiana, these divisions are known as "parishes." In Alaska, which has no counties, the county equivalents are the organized "boroughs" and the "census areas" that are delineated for statistical purposes by the State of Alaska and the Census Bureau. In four States (Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or more cities that are independent of any county organization and thus constitute primary divisions of their States. These cities are known as "independent cities" and are treated as equivalent to counties for statistical purposes. That part of Yellowstone National Park in Montana is treated as a county equivalent. The District of Columbia has no primary divisions, and the entire area is considered equivalent to a county for statistical purposes. Each county and county equivalent is assigned a three-digit FIPS code that is unique within State. These codes are assigned in alphabetical order of county or county equivalent within State, except for the independent cities, which follow the listing of counties. names, sequenced in order of population size, from largest to smallest. A consolidated metropolitan statistical area (CMSA) title also may include up to three names, the first of which generally is the most populous central city in the area. The second name may be the first city or county The primary political divisions of most States are termed "counties." In Louisiana, these divisions are known as "parishes." In Alaska, which has no counties, the county equivalents are the organized "boroughs" and the "census areas" that are delineated for statistical purposes by the State of Alaska and the Census Bureau. In four States (Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or more cities that are independent of any county organization and thus constitute primary divisions of their States. These cities are known as "independent cities" and are treated as equivalent to counties for statistical purposes. That part of Yellowstone National Park in Montana is treated as a county equivalent. The District of Columbia has no primary divisions, and the entire area is considered equivalent to a county for statistical purposes. Each county and county equivalent is assigned a three-digit FIPS code that is unique within State. These codes are assigned in alphabetical order of county or county equivalent within State, except for the independent cities, which follow the listing of counties. name in the most populous remaining PMSA; the third name may be the first city or county The primary political divisions of most States are termed "counties." In Louisiana, these divisions are known as "parishes." In Alaska, which has no counties, the county equivalents are the organized "boroughs" and the "census areas" that are delineated for statistical purposes by the State of Alaska and the Census Bureau. In four States (Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or more cities that are independent of any county organization and thus constitute primary divisions of their States. These cities are known as "independent cities" and are treated as equivalent to counties for statistical purposes. That part of Yellowstone National Park in Montana is treated as a county equivalent. The District of Columbia has no primary divisions, and the entire area is considered equivalent to a county for statistical purposes. Each county and county equivalent is assigned a three-digit FIPS code that is unique within State. These codes are assigned in alphabetical order of county or county equivalent within State, except for the independent cities, which follow the listing of counties. name in the next most populous PMSA. A regional designation may be substituted for the second and/or third names in a CMSA title if local opinion supports such a designation and the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) deems it to be unambiguous and suitable.

The titles for all metropolitan areas (MAs) also contain the U.S. Postal Service’s abbreviation for the name of each state in which the MA is located. Each MA is assigned a four-digit Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) codes are assigned for a variety of geographic entities, including American Indian and Alaska Native area, Congressional District, County, County Subdivision,Core Based Statistical Area, Place, and State., in alphabetical order nationwide. If the fourth digit of the code is "2," it identifies a CMSA. Additionally, there is a separate set of two-digit FIPS codes for CMSAs, also assigned alphabetically.