Pennsylvania State Data Center

The York-Hanover Metropolitan Statistical Area continues to be the fastest-growing metro area in the Northeast region, according to 2007 Population Estimates for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas, released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Although none of the metro areas in the Northeast region were among the 100 fastest-growing, York-Hanover was the 107th fastest-growing metro area in the nation, increasing 1.6 percent from 414,505 in 2006 to 421,049 people on July 1, 2007.

The York-Hanover Metropolitan Statistical Area is the fastestgrowing metro area in the Northeast region, and is ranked nationally among the fastestgrowing in the nation, according to 2006 Population Estimates for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas, released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The estimates listed York-Hanover as the 95th fastest-growing metro area in the nation, increasing 9.1 percent from 391,751 in 2000 to 416,322 people on July 1, 2006.

The Pennsylvania State Data Center at Penn State Harrisburg reports that the U.S. Census Bureau has today released a report on metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas for the nation. The report: Population Change in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: 1990 to 2003, examines the population of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas of the U.S., focusing on size, most populous areas and fastest-growing areas. The report uses the December 2003 definitions of core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. CBSAs consist of one or more whole counties or their equivalents and are designated as either metro areas or micro areas. Metro areas contain at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more people and micro areas — a new statistical geography — contain at least one urban cluster of 10,000 to 50,000 people. The report also uses U.S. Census Bureau estimates and estimates of the components of population change to arrive at July 1, 2003 population estimates.

The Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has changed its designation. The Harrisburg-Carlisle MSA and the Lebanon MSA are each now recognized as metropolitan statistical areas on their own terms. Together, the two MSAs now form the Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle Combined Statistical Area. In addition, Armstrong County was added to the Pittsburgh MSA, which now comprises six counties.

The Pennsylvania State Data Center reports that The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has announced the adoption of new Standards for Defining Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the December 27, 2000, Federal Register. Recommendations by the Metropolitan Area Standards Review Committee and public comment on those recommendations were the basis of the changes in the standard. Standards for defining Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) were first issued in 1949 and have been modified in 1958, 1971, 1975, 1980 and 1990.