What is a Metropolitan Statistical Area?
A Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is defined as a county or group of counties that has either (1) a city with a minimum population of 50,000 or (2) an urbanized area (minimum population of 50,000) and a total population of at least 100,000 in the component counties. An urbanized area is defined as a central city and any densely populated area adjacent to that central city. An urbanized area is required to have more than 50,000 inhabitants and be closely settled. Colorado CES publishes employment data for 3 MSA’s: -Denver MSA (Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, & Jefferson Counties) -Boulder Longmont MSA (Boulder County) -CO Springs MSA (El Paso County) For additional information, read our pdf document on MSA’s.
