Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA)

U.S. Government term for a major urban area within a consolidated metropolitan statistical area (CMSA). A PMSA is an urbanized county or set of counties with strong social and economic ties to neighboring communities. PMSAs are identified within areas of one million-plus populations. For example, Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk counties form part of the New York CMSA; Oxnard-Ventura forms part of the Los Angeles CMSA, and Aurora-Elgin forms part of the Chicago CMSA. See also consolidated metropolitan statistical area; metropolitan statistical area.

A classification of the U.S. Census Bureau applied to cities with the following characteristics. Within a metropolitan area with a population of one million or more, there may be areas that would qualify as metropolitan areas on their own, yet are linked to other cities in close proximity. These individual areas are called Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas, while the metropolitan area containing these PMSAs is called a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area. For example, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, are each classified as Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas, while the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area.

A classification of the U.S. Census Bureau applied to cities with the following classifications. Within a metropolitan area with a population of one million or more, there may be areas that would qualify as metropolitan areas on their own, yet are linked to other cities in close proximity. These individual areas are called Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas, while the metropolitan area containing these PMSAs is called a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA).
Example: Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, are each classified as Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas, while the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area.