Statistical Areas-- Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), Micropolitan Statistical Areas, Metropolitan Divisions, Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs)

Statistical areas (micropolitan, metropolitan, and combined) and metropolitan divisions are defined (geographically delineated) by the Office of Management and Budget and the definitions are updated as new information warrants.^[1] The local area personal income and employment estimates for these areas are based on the definitions in the Office of Management and Budget Bulletin No. 10-02 issued December 1, 2009.^[2] When OMB adds a new statistical area, BEA creates a time series for it starting in 1969 even though it may not have had any urban area at the time. Similarly, when OMB changes the definition of a statistical area, BEA recreates the time series for that area, using the same definition (the new one) for every year in the time series. For example when OMB first defined the Gainesville, FL MSA it consisted of the single county of Alachua. The current definition of the Gainesville, FL MSA consists of Alachua and Gilchrist counties. BEA’s estimates of personal income and employment for the Gainesville, FL MSA also consist of the same two counties every year from 1969 to the present.