Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (MSA)

For purposes of HMDA, the term is interchangeable with "metropolitan area." The underlying concept of an MSA is that of a core area containing a large population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social integration with that core. MSAs are composed of entire counties or county equivalents. Every MSA has at least one urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more.