Micropolitan America: A Brand New Geography

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Micropolitan America A Brand New Geography

• Robert E. Lang
• Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech
• NACo Annual Legislative Conference
• Washington, DC
• February 29, 2004

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What is a Micropolitan Area?

• A brand new census category
• Mostly smaller than Metros
• Cities from10,000 to 50,000
• Formally non-metro counties

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Some Key Findings

• Over half the US Metro or Micro
• 28 mil. people live in Micros
• Micros a fifth of all US counties
• Micros grow slower than US rate

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More Key Findings

• Top Micro out ranks 105 Metros
• Micro 68 Suburbs, Metro 62
• Micro are very diverse group
• Big difference East vs. West

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MinimetrosTen Most Populated Micros

• Torrington, CT top Minimetro
• 10th Minimetro tops 59 Metros
• Half of Minimetros in Northeast
• Only one Minimetro in West

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SmallvillesTen Least Populated Micros

• Tallulah, LA smallest Smallville
• No Smallvilles in Northeast
• Five Smallvilles in Texas
• Most Smallvilles remote

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Boomtowns Ten Fastest Growing Micros

• Palm Coast, FL top Boomtown
• Most near booming Metros
• No Boomtowns in Northeast
• One Boomtown in Midwest

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Dwindlevilles Ten Fastest Shrinking Micros

• Fort Polk South, LA top dwindle
• Most in South and Midwest
• Dwindlevilles in cold Sunbelt
• Most Dwindlevilles remote

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NearburgsTen Least Remote Micros

• Willimantic, CT top Nearburg
• Most are in Midwest
• No Nearburgs in West
• Most Grow Faster than Average

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LonesometownsTen Most Remote Micros

• Havre, MT top Lonesometown
• Most are in the West
• No Lonesometown east of Plains
• Most have slow growth or loss

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So What Does it all Mean?

• Most remote Micros are at risk
• Nearby Micros are really exurbs
• Rural places are now deep rural
• Micros are finally on the radar

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