Micropolitan is a relatively new geographic entity defined by the US Office of Budget & Management (OBM). Unlike a metro area which contains a core urban area of 50,000 or more population, a micropolitan contains an urban cluster of at least 10,000 (but less than 50,000) population plus adjacent counties that have a high degree of social and economic integration (as measured by commuting to work) with the urban core. Ten percent of the US population lives in micropolitans. These are very popular retirement & second home destinations. They are lucrative and untapped markets. I usually can spot a micro by looking for a Wal-Mart. Think of them as “super-sized” small towns.
On the map, the micropolitans are in pink. See the full list of 577 micropolitans (comprising 694 counties). Five more micropolitans are in Puerto Rico. If you are an agent serving the second home, retirement, senior living niches, be aware of these destinations. Forget the bubble talk and concentrate on these up and coming hot spots.
Money Magazine had a great article on micropolitans.
Data from 2000 US Census.
