Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Definition Adjustment, Emsi Burning Glass Client Impact

The minimum urban area population to qualify for the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) will soon be increased from 50,000 to 100,000, pending approval.  The Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Standards Review Committee recently recommended to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) adjustments to the current definition of an MSA.  

The question from our clients is, how will this affect me?

The short answer is that it will not affect them. Emsi Burning Glass’s data covers both micro and metropolitan areas, but it does not delineate between metropolitan and micropolitan distinctions. Therefore, while some metro areas will be downgraded to micro areas, there will not be any change within Emsi Burning Glass data since both metro and micro areas are shown without distinction.