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Situation & Outlook Report

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area
(CBSA 25860)
Geographic-Demographic-Economic Characteristics -- access other areas
See about updates.

This section is no longer being updated. Access the permanent replacement section at http://proximityone.com/cbsa/1/cbsa25860.htm. Please bookmark this new URL.

Access 2018 S&O Reports, featuring county and metro projections to 2030, via the interactive table at http://proximityone.com/metros.htm. The 2018 reports are similar but have been greatly expanded and updated.

Contents of this Report
This document is organized into these sections:
1. Recent Trends & Outlook
2. Overview & Updates
3. Reference & Thematic Pattern Maps
3.1. Lay of the Land
3.2. Neighborhood Patterns of Economic Prosperity
4. Population Characteristics & Trends
4.1. Component City Characteristics
4.2. Component County Characteristics
4.2.1. RDEMS Component County Characteristics
4.3. General Demographic Characteristics
5. Housing Characteristics & Trends
5.1. Total Housing Units
5.2. General Housing Characteristics
5.3. Residential Construction; Housing Units Authorized & Value
5.4. Housing Price Index
6. Economic Characteristics & Trends
6.1. Economic Profile
6.2. Cost of Living Indexes
6.3. Cost of Doing Business Indexes
6.4. Consumer Price Index
6.5. Gross Domestic Product
6.6. Establishments, Employment & Earnings by Type of Business
6.7. Labor Market Characteristics & Trends
7. Education Infrastructure
7.1. Component School District Characteristics
7.2. Component Higher Education Institution Characteristics
8. GeoPolitics
  Terms of Use
  Related Resources
  Using this Document
  Updates
  About Metros & Principal Cities
  Glossary


1. Recent Trends & Outlook
Summary of recent business, demographic, economic trends; year-ahead & 5-year outlook.
- the Recent Trends & Outlook section, updated quarterly, covers topics about this metro such as .. assessing the implications of next jobs report .. impact of Fed''s interest rate action .. which sectors are expanding or contracting .. housing market conditions .. insights to help your planning and decision-making. The Recent Trends & Outlook section is available in the subscription edition.

2. Overview & Update
The total population of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA metro changed from 365,196 in 2010 to 362,223 in 2015, a change of -2,686 (-0.7%). Among all 917 metros, this metro was ranked number 143 in 2010 and 145 in 2015, based on total population. Annual net migration was -1,001 (2011), -983 (2012), -318 (2013), -652 (2014), -652 (2015). View annual population estimates and components of change table. See more about population characteristics below.

This metro is projected to have a total population in 2020 of 378,135. The projected population change from 2010 to 2020 is 12,830 (3.5%). The population ages 65 years and over is projected to change from 56,778 (2010) to 81,531 (2020), a change of 24,753 (43.6%). See more about population projections.

Based on per capita personal income (PCPI), this metro was ranked number 618 in 2008 and 702 in 2014. among the 917 metros for which personal income was estimated.The PCPI changed from $30,477 in 2008 to $33,647 in 2014, a change of $3,170 (10.4%). Per capita personal income (PCPI) is a comprehensive measure of individual economic well-being. Use the interactive table to compare PCPI in this metro to other metros. See more about PCPI in Economic Characteristics section below.

282 metropolitan statistical areas, of the total 381, experienced an increase in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2009 and 2014. This metro ranked number 171 among the 381 metros based on 2014 GDP. The GDP (millions of current dollars) changed from $11,337 in 2009 to $12,628 in 2014 a change of $1,291 (11.39%). Real GDP (millions of real, inflation adjusted, dollars) changed from $11,337 in 2009 to $11,626 in 2014, a change of $289 (2.55%). GDP is the most comprehensive measure of metro economic activity. GDP is the sum of the GDP originating in all industries in the metro. See more about GDP in Economic Characteristics section below.

Attributes of driil-down, small area geography within the metro ... metros account for 65,744 of the national scope 73,056 census tracts (others are in non-metro areas). This metro is comprised of 73 tracts covering the metro wall-to-wall. View, rank, compare demographic-economic attributes of these tracts using the interactive tables. Use the CBSA code 25860; see table usage details below the table.

3. Lay of the Land & Neighborhood Patterns of Economic Prosperity   go top

3.1. Lay of the Land go top
Lay of the Land. The following map shows the metro with bold boundary.
Counties are labeled with county name and state-county FIPS code.

 
  View developed with CV XE GIS software.   See this section to learn about making custom metro maps.

3.2. Patterns of Economic Prosperity by Neighborhood go top

Median household income by census tract (see color/data legend at left of map).

 
  View developed with CV XE GIS software.   See this section to learn about making custom metro maps.

4. Population Characteristics & Trends go top
Updated monthly, quarterly, annually. Housing market conditions and extended detail Available in subscription edition.

4.1. Component City Characteristics go top
Principal Cities (about principal cities); Click link to view city profile.
  •   Hickory
  •   Lenoir
  •   Morganton

Cities 10,000 population and over; click link to view city profile.
  AreaCensus
2010
July 1
2010
July 1
2011
July 1
2012
July 1
2013
July 1
2014
Change
2010-14
%Change
2010-14
  Hickory, NC (3731060) 40,010 40,067 40,048 40,126 40,162 40,143 76 0.20
  Lenoir, NC (3737760) 18,228 18,229 18,076 17,996 18,015 17,920 -309 -1.70
  Morganton, NC (3744400) 16,918 16,877 16,894 16,821 16,723 16,690 -187 -1.10
  Newton, NC (3747000) 12,968 12,968 12,951 12,999 13,015 13,005 37 0.30

All places interactive tables General Demographics | Social | Economic | Housing
All places time series population estimates interactive table.

4.2. Component County Characteristics   go top
Updated periodically, annually. General demographics, social characteristics and extended detail Available in subscription edition.

Metropolitan areas are defined as one or more contiguous counties based on a set of demographic-economic criteria. Counties comprising the metro are shown below. For multi-county metros, this section provides insights into how the population is changing by county. Many metros changed geographic composition (counties included in the metro) between the Census 2010 vintage and the current vintage. These changes, if any, are also shown below (county is marked with **). See projections in related section.Click county code link to view county components of change.

  AreaJuly 1
2010
PctJuly 1
2011
PctJuly 1
2012
PctJuly 1
2013
PctJuly 1
2014
PctJuly 1
2015
Pct
Metro Summary ... more details 365,196 100.0 364,234 100.0 363,389 100.0 363,016 100.0 362,223 100.0 362,510 100.0
  Alexander County, NC (37003) 37,247 10.2 37,118 10.2 36,976 10.2 37,006 10.2 37,364 10.3 37,325 10.3
  Burke County, NC (37023) 90,687 24.8 90,712 24.9 89,995 24.8 89,386 24.6 88,807 24.5 88,842 24.5
  Caldwell County, NC (37027) 82,959 22.7 82,261 22.6 81,919 22.5 81,890 22.6 81,434 22.5 81,287 22.4
  Catawba County, NC (37035) 154,303 42.3 154,143 42.3 154,499 42.5 154,734 42.6 154,618 42.7 155,056 42.8

All counties interactive tables General Demographics | Social | Economic | Housing
All counties population estimates & components of change time series interactive table.

4.2.1. RDEMS County Characteristics
Updated quarterly. For more information, see RDEMS Main.
Links open HSG1 Housing & New Residential Construction section. Select other sections from list above table.
  Burke County, NC
  Caldwell County, NC
  Catawba County, NC

4.3. General Demographic Characteristics
Updated annually. For more information, detail & to compare areas use interactive table.
  Item20132014Change
2013-14
%Change
2013-14
Total Population: Race/Origin 363,572 362,896 -676 -0.19
  One race 354,158 358,351 4,193 1.18
    White 305,144 305,145 1 0.00
    Black/African American 305,144 305,145 1 0.00
    American Indian/Alaska Native 1,072 992 -80 -7.46
    Asian alone 9,480 9,915 435 4.59
    Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0 251 251...
    Some other race alone 15,459 16,410 951 6.15
  Two or more races 9,414 4,545 -4,869 -51.72
  Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 24,241 23,458 -783 -3.23
Population 25 years and over 252,266 252,259 -7 -3.23
  % high school graduate or higher 79.4 80.7 1.3 1.64
  % bachelor's degree or higher 17.5 18.1 0.6 3.43
Total Households 136,858 131,741 -5,117 3.43
  Median household income ($) 38,039 41,106 3,067 8.06
  Mean household income ($) 52,770 53,719 949 1.80
  Item20132014Change
2013-14
%Change
2013-14
Total Population: Gender & Age 363,572 362,896 -676 -0.19
  Male 178,313 178,265 -48 1.80
  Female 185,259 184,631 -628 1.80
  Under 5 years 17,990 19,163 1,173 1.80
  5 to 9 years 25,214 23,188 -2,026 -8.04
  10 to 14 years 21,464 22,434 970 4.52
  15 to 19 years 22,800 22,824 24 0.11
  20 to 24 years 23,838 23,028 -810 -3.40
  25 to 34 years 38,409 40,096 1,687 4.39
  35 to 44 years 49,334 46,335 -2,999 -6.08
  45 to 54 years 53,957 53,047 -910 -1.69
  55 to 59 years 26,806 26,618 -188 -0.70
  55 to 59 years 26,806 26,618 -188 -0.70
  60 to 64 years 23,835 23,179 -656 -2.75
  65 to 74 years 35,467 37,104 1,637 4.62
  75 to 84 years 16,963 19,678 2,715 16.01
  85 years and over 7,495 6,202 -1,293 -17.25
  Median age 41.6 42.1 0.5 1.20
  18 years and over 284,801 284,592 -209 -0.07
  21 years and over 269,659 268,346 -1,313 -0.49
  62 years and over 74,461 76,215 1,754 2.36
  65 years and over 59,925 62,984 3,059 5.10

5. Housing Characteristics & Trends go top
Updated monthly, quarterly, annually. Housing market conditions and extended detail Available in subscription edition.

5.1. Total Housing Units
Updated Annually. Independent annual model-based estimates. For more information, detail & to compare areas use interactive table.
  ItemCensus
2010
July 1
2010
July 1
2011
July 1
2012
July 1
2013
July 1
2014
Change
2010-2014
%Change
2010-2014
  Total Housing Units 162,613 162,631 162,547 162,412 162,241 162,178 -453 -0.28

5.2. General Housing Characteristics
Updated Annually. For more information, detail & to compare areas use interactive table.
  Item20132014Change
2013-14
%Change
2013-14
Housing Units: Units in Structure 161,364 162,183 819 0.51
  1-unit, detached 107,323 106,076 -1,247 -1.16
  1-unit, attached 1,760 2,171 411 23.35
  2 units 4,260 5,645 1,385 32.51
  3 or 4 units 4,250 4,924 674 15.86
  5 to 9 units 7,534 5,655 -1,879 -24.94
  10 to 20 units 2,633 2,406 -227 -8.62
  20 or more units 2,177 1,973 -204 -9.37
  Item20132014Change
2013-14
%Change
2013-14
Housing Units: Occupancy & Tenure 161,364 162,183 819 0.51
  Occupied Housing Units 136,858 131,741 -5,117 -3.74
    Owner 95,428 91,427 -4,001 -4.19
    Renter 41,430 40,314 -1,116 -2.69
  Vacant Housing Units 24,506 30,442 5,936 24.22
  Homeowner vacancy rate 1.50 2.70 1.20...
  Rental vacancy rate 8.10 6.50 -1.60...
Average household size; owner-occ 2.65 2.74 0.09 3.40
Average household size; renter-occ 2.51 2.61 0.10 3.98
Median Value $ owner occupied 125,900 124,300 -1,600 -1.27
Median Rent $ renter occupied 629 652 23 3.66

5.3. Residential Construction; Housing Units Authorized & Value
Updated Monthly. 12 most recent months. For more information, detail & to compare areas use interactive table.
  ItemAug15Sep15Oct15Nov15Dec15Jan16Feb16Mar16Apr16May16Jun16Jul16
Total Residential Units 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 7 8 0 9
  in 1 unit bldgs 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1
  in 2 unit bldgs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  in 3-4 unit bldgs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  in 5+ unit bldgs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 7 0 8
  Bldgs with 5+ units 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1
  Percent Coverage 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 13 13 13 13
Value ($000), Total Units 139 111 139 139 139 0 0 139 487 543 0 599
  1 unit structures 139 111 139 139 139 0 0 139 153 153 0 153
  2 unit structures 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  3-4 unit structures 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  5+ unit structures 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 334 390 0 446

5.4. Housing Price Index go top
Updated quarterly. All transactions; not seasonally adjusted. See related Housing Price Index (HPI) interactive table.
See related 5-Digit ZIP Code HPI interactive table.

    Housing Price Index:2015Q32015Q42016Q12016Q22016Q3
    162.75 163.24 162.19 164.09 166.34
    Quarter-to-Quarter/Year Percent Change:2015Q3-2015Q42015Q4-2016Q12016Q1-2016Q22016Q2-2016Q32015Q3-2016Q3
  0.30 -0.64 1.17 1.37 2.21
6. Economic Characteristics & Trends go top

6.1. Economic Profile go top
The Economic Profile shows shows derivation and key components of total personal income. Data are organized by place of residence and place of work. The place of residence profile includes estimates of total personal income, population, and per capita personal income. The place of work profile includes estimates of total earnings, total employment and average earnings per job. Updated annually. See related interactive table.

  Item20112012201320142015Change
2011-2015
%Change
2011-2015
Personal income 11,258,918 11,770,046 11,706,350 12,224,697 12,835,168 1,576,250 14.0
  Net earnings 1/ 6,525,582 6,850,689 6,801,486 7,196,784 7,578,270 1,052,688 16.1
  Personal current transfer receipts 3,006,258 3,061,313 3,081,368 3,141,852 3,298,531 292,273 9.7
    Income maintenance 2/ 305,159 309,353 310,102 303,764 300,533 -4,626 -1.5
    Unemployment insurance compensation 181,596 118,385 57,216 17,236 11,234 -170,362 -93.8
    Retirement and other 2,519,503 2,633,575 2,714,050 2,820,852 2,986,764 467,261 18.5
  Dividends, interest, and rent 3/ 1,727,078 1,858,044 1,823,496 1,886,061 1,958,367 231,289 13.4
  Population 4/ 364,234 363,389 363,016 362,223 362,510 -1,724 -0.5
  Per capita personal income 30,911 32,390 32,247 33,749 35,406 4,495 14.5
  Per capita net earnings 17,916 18,852 18,736 19,868 20,905 2,989 16.7
  Per capita personal current transfer receipts 8,254 8,424 8,488 8,674 9,099 845 10.2
    Per capita income maintenance 838 851 854 839 829 -9 -1.1
    Per capita unemployment insurance compensation 499 326 158 48 31 -468 -93.8
    Per capita retirement and other 6,917 7,247 7,476 7,788 8,239 1,322 19.1
  Per capita dividends, interest, and rent 4,742 5,113 5,023 5,207 5,402 660 13.9
  Earnings by place of work 7,245,595 7,511,580 7,589,083 7,952,412 8,366,806 1,121,211 15.5
    Wages and salaries 5,261,842 5,338,342 5,445,708 5,631,499 5,999,857 738,015 14.0
    Supplements to wages and salaries 1,339,606 1,409,037 1,374,816 1,471,899 1,497,297 157,691 11.8
      Employer cont. for empl. pension & insur. funds 6/ 907,809 972,356 927,775 1,008,111 1,012,823 105,014 11.6
      Employer cont. for government social insurance 431,797 436,681 447,041 463,788 484,474 52,677 12.2
    Proprietors' income 644,147 764,201 768,559 849,014 869,652 225,505 35.0
      Nonfarm proprietors' income 7,651 24,678 68,930 113,844 126,228 118,577 1549.8
      Farm proprietors' income 636,496 739,523 699,629 735,170 743,424 106,928 16.8
Total full-time and part-time employment 185,777 185,954 187,180 188,438 192,340 6,563 3.5
  Wage and salary jobs 148,802 149,486 150,687 151,429 154,185 5,383 3.6
  Number of proprietors 36,975 36,468 36,493 37,009 38,155 1,180 3.2
    Number of nonfarm proprietors 7/ 1,904 1,877 1,883 1,862 1,835 -69 -3.6
    Number of farm proprietors 35,071 34,591 34,610 35,147 36,320 1,249 3.6
Average earnings per job (dollars) 39,002 40,395 40,544 42,202 43,500 4,498 11.5
  Average wages and salaries 35,361 35,711 36,139 37,189 38,913 3,552 10.0
  Average nonfarm proprietors' income 18,149 21,379 20,215 20,917 20,469 2,320 12.8
Dollar items are in current dollars (not adjusted for inflation). Per capita items in dollars; other dollar items in thousands of dollars.
See related notes.

6.2. Cost of Living Indexes   go top
Updated periodically. Available in subscription edition.

6.3. Cost of Doing Business Indexes   go top
Updated periodically. Available in subscription edition.

6.4. Consumer Price Index   go top
Updated monthly. Available in subscription edition.

6.5. Gross Domestic Product by Sector   go top
Updated quarterly, annually. For more information, detail & to compare areas use interactive table. Additional detail in subscription edition.
  Item200920102011201220132014Change
2009-14
%Change
2009-14
Gross Domestic Product, millions of current dollars 11,337 11,640 11,784 12,106 12,315 12,628 1,291 11.39
Real Gross Domestic Product, millions of real dollars 11,337 11,597 11,579 11,561 11,546 11,626 289 2.55

6.6. Establishments, Employment & Earnings by Detailed Type of Business go top
Updated quarterly. For more information, detail & to compare areas use interactive table.
  SectorEstablishments
2015Q1
Employment
2015Q1
Avg Weekly Wages
2015Q1
Establishments
2015Q2
Employment
2015Q2
Avg Weekly Wages
2015Q2
 Total, all industries 7,692 238,267 705 7,723 240,677 696
 Total, all industries - Fed Govt 45 1,108 1,230 45 1,124 1,025
 Total, all industries - St Govt 61 ...... 61 ......
 Total, all industries - Local Govt 175 ...... 203 ......
 Total, all industries - Private 7,411 200,541 701 7,414 202,938 690
    Goods-producing 1,521 72,242 793 1,515 72,362 785
      Natural resources and mining 67 683 559 65 764 585
      Construction 687 5,482 654 686 5,618 688
      Manufacturing 767 66,077 807 764 65,981 795
    Service-providing 5,890 128,300 649 5,899 130,576 637
      Trade, transportation & utilities 1,970 45,630 686 1,978 46,389 687
      Information 66 ...... 67 1,406 781
      Financial activities 718 ...... 719 5,253 780
      Professional & business services 1,086 21,327 803 1,086 21,478 703
      Education and health services 762 29,865 733 760 29,926 772
      Leisure and hospitality 707 20,448 266 712 21,352 267
      Other services 581 4,729 460 577 4,773 486

Notes: cell value of '...' indicates value suppressed to maintain confidentiality.

Use the following links to access detailed establishment and employment data by type of business (CSV files).
  .. see notes on using these files.
  2013Q1 .. 2013Q2 .. 2013Q3 .. 2013Q4 .|. 2014Q1 .. 2014Q2 .. 2014Q3 .. 2014Q4 .|. 2015Q1 .. 2015Q2 .. 2015Q3 .. 2015Q4 .. 2016Q1 .. 2016Q2
 
6.7. Labor Market Characteristics & Trends go top
Updated monthly. Available in subscription edition.
For more information, detail & to compare areas use interactive table.
Table shows 13 most recent months.
  ItemAug15Sep15Oct15Nov15Dec15Jan16Feb16Mar16Apr16May16Jun16Jul16Aug16
Unemplymnt Rate 5.1 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.6 5.1 5.0 4.7 4.3 4.1 4.5 4.3 4.5
Unemployment 894 820 834 827 795 884 888 838 758 729 790 760 773
Employment 16,535 16,642 16,731 16,703 16,557 16,582 16,775 17,055 16,989 16,893 16,806 16,898 16,564
Labor Force17,42917,46217,56517,53017,35217,46617,66317,89317,74717,62217,59617,65817,337

7. Education Infrastructure   go top

7.1. Component School District Characteristics   go top
Districts in this metro. Updated periodically. See related School District interactive table.
District NameCity Name District
Code
Locale
Code
CountyState2012-13
Enrollment
2013 Total
Population
Grade Relevant
Pop Ages 5-17
Alexander County SchoolsTaylorsville 37000904137003NC 5,385 36,930 6,048
Burke County SchoolsMorganton 37004804137023NC 13,343 89,842 13,794
Caldwell County SchoolsLenoir 37005802237027NC 12,386 81,990 13,357
Catawba County SchoolsNewton 37006904137035NC 17,256 105,078 18,843
Hickory City SchoolsHickory 37021901337035NC 4,449 31,504 4,930
Newton Conover City SchoolsNewton 37033602237035NC 3,025 18,228 3,035

Number of districts: 6 ... Total enrollment: 55,844
All school districts interactive tables General Demographics | Social | Economic | Housing
All school districts enrollment & adminstratively reported data interactive table.

7.2. Component Higher Education Institution Characteristics   go top
2014-15 School Year. Extended detail Available in subscription edition.
  Institution City Name Code LevelTotal UG EnrollmentFulltime UG EnrollmentTotal Grad EnrollmentFulltime Grad Enrollment
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Hudson, NC1981183 3,876 1,138 0 0
Catawba Valley Community College Hickory, NC1982333 4,742 2,100 0 0
Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC1988357 1,524 1,334 526 251
Western Piedmont Community College Morganton, NC1999083 2,056 997 0 0

  Number of institutions: 4 ... Total undergraduate enrollment: 12,198
  Levels: 3-Assoc degree, 4-at least 2, but < 4 years, 5-Bach degree, 6-Postbacc cert, 7 Masters degree, 8 Post-masters cert, 9 Doctors degree

8. GeoPolitics   go top
Updated periodically. Voting patterns, citizen voting age population, state legislative districts, congressional districts .. in this metro.
Available in subscription edition.

Notes
  • All data are for current vintage county and metro definition.
  • Developed by ProximityOne -- Metro Reports (888-364-7656)
  • Data sources: ProximityOne, Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Housing Finance Agency,
    National Center for Education Statistics.

Updates go top
The subscription edition updates frequently. Selected items are listed below. Register to receive update notifications.
  • Overview lead narrative; quarterly & annual/March.
  • Housing Price Index (section 5.4) quarterly.
  • Establishments, employment & earnings (section 6.6) quarterly.
  • Economic profile and personal income (section 6.1) annual/November.
  • Labor market situation (section 6.7) monthly.
  • Residential construction; units authorized & value (section 5.3.) monthly.
  • Population by county; annual series 2010-2016 (section 4.2.) annual/July.
  • Population by county; links for individual counties (section 4.2.) annual/July.
      -- includes annual data 2010-2016.
      -- includes components of change; race/origin; single year of age; age group summaries.
  • Total population and components of change; annual/March.
  • Census tracts overview section; annual/December.
  • General Demographics section updated/extended; annual/December.
  • Gross Domestic Product section; annual/September.
  • Higher education institutions; annual/February.
  • Metro & county demographic component detailed annual estimates; annual/March.
  • School districts in metro & K-12 enrollment; annual/August.
More about schedule and upcoming events ... Calendar ... Upcoming Events ... Find Event

Terms of Use go top
Situation & Outlook Reports are a proprietary resource developed by ProximityOne. There is no warranty of any type associated with any aspect of this report. The user of this document is solely responsible to any use, direct or indirect, that might be made of this document.

Related Resources go top
  • Metros main page
  • Current estimates and projections: states to 2030, counties & metros to 2020 by age, counties & states to 2060.
  • Making Custom Metropolitan Area Maps
  • Rental Market Conditions by Metropolitan Area
  • Metro Gross Domestic Product
  • Housing Price Index
  • Establishments, Employment & Earnings
  • Regional Economic Information System
  • ACS 2014 1-year General Demographics ... Social Characteristics ... Economic Characteristics ... Housing Characteristics

Using this Document go top
The Situation & Outlook Report, a component of the Situation & Outlook, is a core ProximityOne information resource providing insights into characteristics and trends of counties, metropolitan areas, states and the U.S. The Report also provides a gateway to drill-down demographic, economic and business data for smaller geographic areas.

Metropolitan areas include approximately 94 percent of the U.S. population -- 85 percent in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and 9 percent in micropolitan statistical areas (MISAs).

About Metropolitan Areas & Principal Cities -- scroll section go top
Metropolitan Areas are designated by OMB ("Standards for Delineating Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas") based mainly on Census Bureau-sourced data. Metropolitan areas are defined as Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) and Micropolitan Statistical Areas (MISA). MSAs and MISAs are also referred to a Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs). Contiguous CBSAs are defined as Combined Statistical Areas (CSA).

By definition, metropolitan areas are comprised of one or more contiguous counties. Metropolitan areas are not single cities and typically include many cities. Metropolitan areas are comprised of urban and rural areas and often have large expanses of rural territory. A business and demographic-economic synergy exists within each metro; metros often interact with adjacent metros. The demographic-economic make-up of metros vary widely and change often. See more about metros.

Principal Cities. The largest city in each metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area is designated a "principal city." Principal cities are designated by OMB based on Census-sourced data. Additional cities qualify as principal cities if specified requirements are met concerning population size and employment. The title of each metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area consists of the names of up to three of its principal cities and the name of each state into which the metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area extends. Titles of metropolitan divisions also typically are based on principal city names but in certain cases consist of county names.

One or more principal cities are designated within each Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and Micropolitan Statistical Area (MISA). The term "principal city" is defined in the OMB "Standards for Delineating Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas." A principal city is an OMB designation applied to one or more incorporated places and/or census designated places (CDPs). The OMB standards designate a Principal City (or Cities) of a Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) as determined by:
  a) The largest incorporated place with a 2010 Census population of at least 10,000 in the CBSA or,
        if no incorporated place of at least 10,000 population is present in the CBSA,
        the largest incorporated place or census designated place in the CBSA; and
  b) Additional places with 2010 Census population of at least 250,000 or in which 100,000 or more persons work; and
  c) Additional places with 2010 Census population of 50,000-250,000,
        and number of workers working in the place meets or exceeds the number of workers living in the place; and
  d) Additional places with 2010 Census population of 10,000-50,000, and at least one-third the population size of the largest place,
        and in which the number of workers working in the place meets or exceeds the number of workers living in the place.

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Additional Information go top
ProximityOne develops geographic-demographic-economic data and analytical tools and helps organizations knit together and use diverse data in a decision-making and analytical framework. We develop custom demographic/economic estimates and projections, develop geographic and geocoded address files, and assist with impact and geospatial analyses. Wide-ranging organizations use our tools (software, data, methodologies) to analyze their own data integrated with other data. Follow ProximityOne on Twitter at www.twitter.com/proximityone. Contact us (888-364-7656) with questions about data covered in this section or to discuss custom estimates, projections or analyses for your areas of interest.

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