Metropolitan Statistical Areas with similar populations as Syracuse (Buffalo, Rochester: unemployment rate, statistics)

[bellafinzi]

Let's look at the US Metropolitan Statistical Areas that were roughly the same population as the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area in 1993 and compare it with those of today.


Metropolitan Statistical Areas 1993 Population
(Syracuse's "peer cities" back then)

Tucson, AZ MSA ~ 719,598

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA MSA ~ 708,077

Grand Rapids, MI MSA ~ 681,452

Syracuse, NY MSA ~ 670,309

Baton Rouge, LA MSA ~ 657,226

Albuquerque, NM MSA ~ 649,987

Raleigh-Cary, NC MSA ~ 612,576



Metropolitan Statistical Areas 2008 Population
(Syracuse's "peer cities" NOW)

Columbia, SC MSA ~ 728,063

Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, FL MSA ~ 687,823

Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR MSA ~ 675,069

Stockton, CA MSA ~ 672,388

Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA ~ 644,506

Syracuse, NY MSA ~ 643,794

Greenville, SC MSA ~ 624,715

Colorado Springs, CO MSA ~ 617,714

Wichita, KS MSA ~ 603,716

Boise City-Nampa, ID MSA ~ 599,753




OK, here's a look at the current (2008) population of Syracuse's old "peer cities":

Raleigh-Cary, NC MSA ~ 1,088,765

Tucson, AZ MSA ~ 1,012,018

Albuquerque, NM MSA ~ 845,913

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA MSA ~ 837,925

Grand Rapids, MI MSA ~ 776,833

Baton Rouge, LA MSA ~ 774,327

Syracuse, NY MSA ~ 643,794


Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA) Population and Components of Change

[ckhthankgod]

I don't think that is without counting Cayuga County, which pushes the population up about 85,000 people.

Also, how many counties are involved in each of these metro areas?

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

I don't think that is without counting Cayuga County, which pushes the population up about 85,000 people.

Also, how many counties are involved in each of these metro areas?

You're right. Syracuse's Metropolitan Area does not include Cayuga County. Only three counties are counted...Onondaga, Oswego and Madison.

In my opinion, using "urbanized areas" is a much more accurate system when comparing cities. Unfortunately, population of urbanized area statistics are not readily available for all cities for every year. Syracuse's urbanized area is roughly 410,000 in population.

[RollsRoyce]

Auburn-Cayuga County was removed from the Syracuse MSA a few years ago and was given its own micropolitan area. Auburn-Cayuga County is still counted as part of the Syracuse CSA (Combined Statistical Area). The government removing Auburn from the Syracuse MSA is a big blow to CNY's efforts to attract businesses since it understates the area's population and labor force. I wonder what it would take for the Auburn micropolitan area to be dissolved and placed back into the Syracuse MSA. Even if more people from Cayuga County commute to Syracuse and its immediate suburbs, I don't think the US Census would remove Auburn as a micropolitan area since the precedent was already established.

In reference to the number of counties involved in each metro area, it varies. The Buffalo area only consists of two counties: Erie and Niagara. Rochester's MSA has several far flung counties to the west that are more removed from Rochester and its suburban fringe than Auburn and Cayuga County is from Syracuse. Albany also has several Mohawk Valley counties including Montgomery, Fulton, and Scoharie that are of further distance to Albany than Auburn/Weedsport/Sennett is from Syracuse.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by RollsRoyce

Auburn-Cayuga County was removed from the Syracuse MSA a few years ago and was given its own micropolitan area. Auburn-Cayuga County is still counted as part of the Syracuse CSA (Combined Statistical Area). The government removing Auburn from the Syracuse MSA is a big blow to CNY's efforts to attract businesses since it understates the area's population and labor force. I wonder what it would take for the Auburn micropolitan area to be dissolved and placed back into the Syracuse MSA. Even if more people from Cayuga County commute to Syracuse and its immediate suburbs, I don't think the US Census would remove Auburn as a micropolitan area since the precedent was already established.

In reference to the number of counties involved in each metro area, it varies. The Buffalo area only consists of two counties: Erie and Niagara. Rochester's MSA has several far flung counties to the west that are more removed from Rochester and its suburban fringe than Auburn and Cayuga County is from Syracuse. Albany also has several Mohawk Valley counties including Montgomery, Fulton, and Scoharie that are of further distance to Albany than Auburn/Weedsport/Sennett is from Syracuse.

Exactly! My wife works just outside of Auburn and it only takes about 35 minutes to get to work for her. I also think that Cortland County should be a part of the area, unless they join with the Ithaca metro area.

Also, I think when counting Syracuse's urban area or the Greater Syracuse area, it's something like the 81st biggest urban area in the country, if I'm not mistaken. I got that from here: Metro Jacksonville - Elements of Urbanism: Syracuse

[RollsRoyce]

REPLY TO ABOVE POST:

Since Cortland County is contigious to Onondaga County it would make sense. Unfortunately, Cortland County was added to Ithaca's CSA which is pathetic considering Ithaca is a tiny city in a county of just under 100,000 people. Then again, Cortland County's high poverty rate and poor demographics may have offset the benefit of including them in Syracuse's MSA. Remember, we already have Oswego County's high poverty rate and unemployment rates factored into Syracuse's MSA. If only Madison County had a larger population.