Can I play dumb?

[willacoochee]

I was looking at the Georgia Metropolitan Areas. My county Atkinson is about in the Valdosta Metro. Area. By being a Metro county, what does it mean? I hope this isn't a very stupid question but o'well!!

Older Metro Map

Newer Metro Map

Thanks

[Spartan]

A Metropolitan Statistical Area (aka MSA or Metro) is an area that has a core urban area of 50,000. Surrounding counties are then added based on commuting patterns of 25% or more to the core county.

[teshadoh]

But I wouldn't worry about Atkinson County being close to joining Valdosta at any time - Atkinson County would be more likely to join a Douglas (Coffee County) micropolitan area if that ever occured.

[willacoochee]

Thanks!!! I would've thought we would join Coffee County before Valdosta, but I thought you had to have a Pop. of 50,000 and Douglas is pretty far away. But there are more commuters from Willacoochee to Douglas than Willacoochee to Valdosta.

[teshadoh]

Thanks!!!  I would've thought we would join Coffee County before Valdosta, but I thought you had to have a Pop. of 50,000 and Douglas is pretty far away.  But there are more commuters from Willacoochee to Douglas than Willacoochee to Valdosta.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A micropolitan area has a smaller population than a metropolitan area - which does require an urban area of 50k, don't know what the stat for a micro area is. I also don't know if Douglas is one or not.

But nonetheless, reviewing the commuting patterns - about 43% of Atkinson Co residents commute out for work, with the majority going to Coffee County & not Lowndes.

[willacoochee]

A micropolitan area has a smaller population than a metropolitan area - which does require an urban area of 50k, don't know what the stat for a micro area is.  I also don't know if Douglas is one or not.

But nonetheless, reviewing the commuting patterns - about 43% of Atkinson Co residents commute out for work, with the majority going to Coffee County & not Lowndes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Teshadoh, where did you find the commuting patterns at?

[teshadoh]

^ Census data - but it's from an ArcIMS site that I use a lot (we can thank Charlotte Observer for providing it):

http://161.188.204.80/maps/charlotte/jtw51.asp?fipco=17031

[Martinman]

^ Damn I could spend all day on this site. Fascinating stuff.

[thehappysmith]

Douglas is in fact the central city of a micropolitan area, and Atkinson county is in fact a part of said micropolitan area, according to the census bureau's 2003 definitions.

[Florida]

From what I understand of how the Census Bureau does this... if more than 50% of the workforce in a particular county works in another county, say the major or core county, then that county will become a part of that core county's M.S.A.

[ironchapman]

From what I understand of how the Census Bureau does this... if more than 50% of the workforce in a particular county works in another county, say the major or core county, then that county will become a part of that core county's M.S.A.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought it was 25% of the workforce...or is that something different?

[Spartan]

25% is the threshold required to be in the MSA. 15% for the CSA

[Florida]

^Interesting... I've misunderstood for far too long.

[95-Souf]

A Metropolitan Statistical Area (aka MSA or Metro) is an area that has a core urban area of 50,000. Surrounding counties are then added based on commuting patterns of 25% or more to the core county.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I understand the whole 25% workforce thing, and the fact that Ga. counties are somewhat smaller than average,

But 27 Counties, thats crazy.

[Spartan]

They are very small counties, but that also give you an idea of how bad the sprawl is.

[Florida]

how many counties does GA have total?

[ironchapman]

159 counties in total.

Formerly 161 until Campbell and Milton with the old Fulton merged to make the current Fulton.

[Spartan]

Because there are so many, the maximum number of counties is fixed in Georgia's constitution is fixed at 159.

[Florida]

So there are 159, if Im understanding correctly.

[willacoochee]

So there are 159, if Im understanding correctly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, We have 159 counties!