Principal city

Principal cities of metros are the main core cities in each metropolitan area. The largest city in each metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area is designated a "principal city." Additional cities qualify 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.^[1]

In the United States and Puerto Rico, the Office of Management and Budget identifies principal cities for each Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) and New England City and Town Area (NECTA).^[2] Principal cities are used primarily for naming CBSAs and NECTAs, as well as combined statistical areas and combined NECTAs.

Definition

The largest incorporated place in a CBSA with a population of at least 10,000, or if no such incorporated place exists, the largest incorporated place or census-designated place in the CBSA is designated as the largest principal city. Additional principal cities can be included if they satisfy certain criteria depending on their population. These additional principal cities are: (a) incorporated or census-designated places that have a population of at least 250,000 in which the number of workers is 100,000 or more; (b) places with a population between 50,000 and 250,000 where the number of workers working in the place exceeds the number of working residents; and (c) places with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 where the number of workers working in the place exceeds the number of working residents and are at least one-third the population of the largest principal city. Principal cities encompass both incorporated places and census-designated places (CDPs). In addition to identifying the more significant places in each CBSA or NECTA in terms of population and employment, principal cities also are used in titling Metropolitan Divisions, Combined Statistical Areas, NECTA Divisions, and Combined NECTAs. The names of up to three principal cities are used in determining the title of the CBSA and NECTA. The first principal city named in the title is identified as the first principal city of the area.

Most recently on February 28, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget identified from one to 19 principal cites (in the Los Angeles metropolitan area) for each of the 929 CBSAs and 38 NECTAs of the United States and Puerto Rico.^[3]

See also

• United States of America
  • Outline of the United States
  • Index of United States-related articles
  • Book:United States
• Demographics of the United States
  • United States Census Bureau
    • List of U.S. states and territories by population
    • List of metropolitan areas of the United States
    • List of United States cities by population
    • Cities and metropolitan areas of the United States
  • United States Office of Management and Budget
    • The 1098 OMB defined Statistical Areas comprise the 388 MSAs, 541 μSAs, and 169 CSAs
      • Primary Statistical Area – List of the 574 PSAs
        • Combined Statistical Area – List of the 169 CSAs
          • Core Based Statistical Area – List of the 929 CBSAs
            • Metropolitan Statistical Area – List of the 388 MSAs
            • Micropolitan Statistical Area – List of the 541 μSAs

References

1. http://proximityone.com/principalcities.htm
2. "Notice: 2010 Standards for Delineating Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas". United States Federal Register, Volume 75, Number 123. United States Office of Management and Budget. June 28, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
3. "OMB Bulletin No. 13-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. February 28, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.

External links

• United States Government
  • United States Census Bureau
    • 2010 United States Census
    • USCB population estimates
  • United States Office of Management and Budget
    • OMB Bulletins - includes OMB Bulletin No. 13-01, which lists principal cities for each CBSA and NECTA.