Urbanized Area
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An Urbanized Area is a concept used by demographers at the U.S. Census Bureau to measure the population, land area and population density of a built-up or continuously developed area city, which in most cases extends outside of the political boundaries of the core city. This is similar to a metropolitan area. Metropolitan areas are labor market areas and include areas beyond the continuously built-up urban area. Thus, metropolitan areas include rural land, but urbanized areas do not. The urbanized area concept is also used by the statistical bureaus of other nations. In Canada and the United Kingdom, urbanized areas are referred to as "urban areas." In France, urbanized areas are referred to as "unites urbaine." In Australia, urbanized areas are referred to as "urban centres."
The US Census Bureau definition is: "An area consisting of a central place(s) and adjacent territory with a general population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile [386 people/km²] of land area that together have a minimum residential population of at least 50,000 people." (from the Glossary at http://factfinder.census.gov). Definitions vary somewhat in other nations. The minimum density requirement is generally 400 persons per square kilometer. In Australia, the minimum density is 200 people per square kilometer.
External Links:
World Urbanized Area Data & Estimates (http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf)
USA Urbanized Area Data: 1950-1990 (http://www.demographia.com/dm-uad.htm)
USA Urbanized Area Data: 2000 (http://www.demographia.com/db-ua2000pop.htm)
Canada: Largest Urban Areas (http://www.demographia.com/db-canua.htm)
United Kingdom: Largest Urban Areas (http://www.demographia.com/db-uk-uza.htm)