Pittsburgh MSA gains 86,000+ people overnight! (Erie, New Castle: income, tax, live)

[eschaton]

Hey guys,

Today, the Census released its new MSA definitions. Locally, this resulted in the Pittsburgh MSA having been expanded to include Lawrence County, meaning that - technically - the MSA now has an additional 86,000 people.

Of course, the downside of that is another rural, exurban (if that) county has been lumped into the metro, which, while it improves the topline, makes us look worse on population decline, diversity, etc.

I'd argue that it should not really have been included. New Castle is really doing its own thing, even if it's relatively close (and Ellwood City is even closer). That said, I even thing that the case for Armstrong and Fayette Counties being included is pretty flimsy.

[Moby Hick]

That's almost Erie.

[_Buster]

Does this really matter for anything other than bean counting? Seems like just the typical press release with no real meaning. IDK if tax and grant money is based on this but if so , maybe it makes a tiny fraction of a fraction of difference?

[Higherho]

Originally Posted by _Buster

Does this really matter for anything other than bean counting? Seems like just the typical press release with no real meaning. IDK if tax and grant money is based on this but if so , maybe it makes a tiny fraction of a fraction of difference?

Yes population matters ALOT when you want to receive federal and state funds. There are other factors but population total, income, etc are factors.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Higherho

Yes population matters ALOT when you want to receive federal and state funds. There are other factors but population total, income, etc are factors.

Years back, I researched why the hell Armstrong County was in the MSA, considering that other than a tiny bit around Freeport, there's really no connection to Pittsburgh.

It turned out that Armstrong County itself directly lobbied the Census for inclusion. The reason? Because switching from being a rural county to part of the Pittsburgh MSA meant that the local healthcare providers would be reimbursed at a higher rate by Medicare.

[_Buster]

Originally Posted by Higherho

Yes population matters ALOT when you want to receive federal and state funds. There are other factors but population total, income, etc are factors.

Well it goes way beyond that. at one time, people had respect for the elders. they had respect for the system that brought the best and most successful people in the world. now the people who used to mine coal, make steel and aluminum, glass, etc, are dying off. the people who do these things now are slaves in Asia. our people need to stand up now for freedom. its only a smalltime away

[gg]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Years back, I researched why the hell Armstrong County was in the MSA, considering that other than a tiny bit around Freeport, there's really no connection to Pittsburgh.

It turned out that Armstrong County itself directly lobbied the Census for inclusion. The reason? Because switching from being a rural county to part of the Pittsburgh MSA meant that the local healthcare providers would be reimbursed at a higher rate by Medicare.

This is what it is all about.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by eschaton

....switching from being a rural county to part of the Pittsburgh MSA meant that the local healthcare providers would be reimbursed at a higher rate by Medicare.

well, hold on. what percentage of Armstrong County's population lived in its industrial and urban centres - Apollo, Kittaning, Ford City, etc.? perhaps a vast majority (this is theory, and rhetorical questions).

it could be they might have been justified in seeking additional reimbursement based on lifestyle, exposure to pollutants and its future health ramifications, and so on.

edit - ah, forgot to add what occurred to me while running earlier today...it could be that Armstrong felt becoming part of the metro area would benefit them in terms of road funding as well.

[Craziaskowboi]

If you think Lawrence County being added to the Pittsburgh MSA is a surprise, then Mercer County being subtracted from the Youngstown MSA and added to the Pittsburgh CSA will blow your mind.

Adding Lawrence County to the MSA and Mercer County to the CSA is proof that Pittsburgh is increasing its economic gravity.

[runpens1]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Hey guys,

Today, the Census released its new MSA definitions. Locally, this resulted in the Pittsburgh MSA having been expanded to include Lawrence County, meaning that - technically - the MSA now has an additional 86,000 people.

Of course, the downside of that is another rural, exurban (if that) county has been lumped into the metro, which, while it improves the topline, makes us look worse on population decline, diversity, etc.

I'd argue that it should not really have been included. New Castle is really doing its own thing, even if it's relatively close (and Ellwood City is even closer). That said, I even thing that the case for Armstrong and Fayette Counties being included is pretty flimsy.

Yeah I feel that it is stretching it as Armstrong and Fayette maybe were a little too. when I think of the metro Pittsburgh boundaries which we have defined on here before, Lawrence County doesn't really come to mind. They go as follows:

North: Cranberry Township, Seven Fields, Mars, Valencia. Maybe Zelienople would be the closest to Ellwood City and Lawrence County, but Cranberry has almost become like its own sub metro within the region.

Northeast: Freeport (Armstrong County), Sarver, Buffalo Township

East: Murrysville, Export, Delmont, Penn Township

Southeast: Irwin, North Huntingdon, Rostraver (borders Fayette County)

South: Peters Township, Mcmurray, Venetia, Finleyville

Southwest: Canonsburg, Cecil Township, maybe northern edge of Washington area

West: Mcdonald, Midway, Imperial, Clinton

Northwest: Monaca, Center Township, Beaver, Rochester, etc.