Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) Change in North Carolina

The US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) maintains the standards for defining metropolitan areas in the United States. Core-Bases Statistical Areas (CBSAs) is the collective term for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (based on urban area cores of 50,000 or more), Micropolitan Statistical Areas (based on urban cores from 10,000 to 50,000), or Combined Statistical Areas (neighboring Metropolitan and/or Micropolitan Statistical Areas combined into an integrated statical geography). CBSAs are comprised of counties containing the urban core and neighboring counties with a high degree of commuting into the core counties.

This visualization uses 2020 Census total population to compare changes in CBSA definition.

CBSA designation should not be confused with urban/rural designation. CBSAs are comprised of entire counties. Counties included in CBSAs may contain rural areas, and non-CBSA counties may contain urban areas.

Source:

US Office of Management and Budget, Bulletin No. 13-01, February 28, 2013: "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses ofthe Delineations ofThese Areas"

US Office of Management and Budget, Bulletin No. 23-01, July 21, 2023: "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas"

2013 North Carolina CBSAs

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census Population for 2013 CBSA definitions.

2020 Census Total Population
3.2K
570K
1.1M

2023 North Carolina CBSAs

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census population for counties included in 2023 CBSAs

2020 Census Total Population
9.2K
570K
1.1M
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8,243,061

Metropolitan Statistical Area Population

1,502,603

Micropolitan Statistical Area Population

693,724

Non-Metropolitan Population

North Carolina Counties by CBSA Designation

Source: US Office of Management and Budget