Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

10/02/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2025 05:01

Recent Updates to Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the Fifth District

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Recent Updates to Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the Fifth District

By Anthony Tringali
Regional Matters
October 2, 2025

Changes to the Richmond Fed's Regional Economic Snapshot

The Richmond Fed hosts many timely data products on its website that help inform our readers of economic activity. For example, our Regional Economic Snapshot provides updates on Fifth District labor markets, housing conditions, and other state and local economic indicators. The data we use primarily comes from federal government sources, but recent changes to how federal agencies define metro areas affect our reporting.

It is common to hear the phrase "metro area" refer to a city and its surrounding area, often in the context of traffic jams, the weather forecast, or someone's hometown. But when economists or policymakers talk about a metro area - or metropolitan statistical area (MSA) - they are referring to a defined geographic and economic unit that is an important feature of the U.S. economy. For example, metro areas account for about 86 percent of the population within the United States and over 90 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). The Fifth District's MSAs had a combined GDP of approximately $2.5 trillion1,2, with the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA, accounting for approximately $600 billion, the highest within the Fifth District.

MSAs include a principal city, the most populous city in the area, and its surrounding counties as measured by commuting ties: If 25 percent or more of the residents in a surrounding county travel to the principal city for work (or vice versa), then the county is included in the MSA. This means that not all counties in an MSA have a large or dense population. If a sparsely populated county meets the commuting criteria, it can be considered part of a large metro area. For example, the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC MSA, is one of the largest metro areas in the Fifth District, with a population of almost 3 million. However, Surry County, Virginia, which is part of that metro area, is quite rural.

Similar to an MSA, a micropolitan statistical area is an area with a smaller population. These areas still have a principal city and surrounding counties that are included if they meet the same commuting threshold as required for an MSA.

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau provides an updated picture of the geographic distribution of the American population. About three years after the census data is completed, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) uses the data to redraw the nation's metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. Frequently, the OMB will update geographic areas in between the Census Bureau with the most up-to-date population estimates, commuting patterns, and other data from the American Community Survey and similar federal data products. Then, federal agencies use these new areas to aggregate economic data3. Because this is a time-intensive process, the new delineations from the OMB were implemented at the federal agency level a few months ago. As a result, there were numerous changes within the Fifth District.

What Changed in the Fifth District?

Out of the 48 unique MSAs in 2020, almost 50 percent (22 metro areas) experienced some change in the updated definitions. These changes ranged from the addition or removal of principal cities to the creation and discontinuation of MSAs. For example, Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC, was a micropolitan in 2020 but became an MSA with the 2023 changes. This change was due to population growth and how the Census Bureau defines urban areas, meaning it surpassed the 50,000-population threshold for an MSA. Conversely, the Cumberland, MD-WV MSA became a micropolitan area as its principal city no longer met the population requirements. Only one MSA was discontinued: California-Lexington Park, MD. This was due to sizable changes in the composition of the MSA with the addition of Calvert County, and the removal of California as a principal city. As a result, OMB retired that MSA label and instituted the Lexington Park, MD MSA label.

Eleven MSAs in the Fifth District experienced compositional changes that did not result in their discontinuation. As counties are added or removed from an MSA, the naming convention might change slightly, but usually it is negligible enough that it does not warrant discontinuing an MSA and establishing an entirely new MSA label. The Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC MSA was renamed the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC MSA due to the removal of Brunswick County in North Carolina. This change did not warrant an entirely new MSA since Brunswick's removal did not substantially change the economic or demographic characteristics of the Myrtle Beach metro area.

MSA Status of Counties From 2020 to Now

Source: Census Bureau, Office of Management and Budget; author's calculations

Enlarge
Table 1: Number of Metro Areas by Fifth District Jurisdiction in 2020 Versus Now4
2020 2023
District of Columbia 1 1
Maryland 7 6
North Carolina 17 16
South Carolina 10 10
Virginia 11 11
West Virginia 11 10
Fifth District Total5 48 47
Source: Census Bureau, Office of Management and Budget; author's calculations

Closing Thoughts

Metro area definitions affect how federal, state, and local policymakers create policies that are relevant to the distribution of households, businesses, and economic activity. Of course, the definitions also impact how we at the Richmond Fed report, analyze, and better understand our Fifth District. In addition to Snapshot, there are numerous data products, like the Monthly Business Surveys and The CFO Survey that we use to make sense of economic trends to inform our communities.

Appendix: Full List of Metro and Micropolitan Statistical Areas in the Fifth District6

Source: Office of Management and Budget

  • District of Columbia (DC) Arrow icon
    • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria City, VA; Fairfax City, VA; Falls Church City, VA; Fredericksburg City, VA; Manassas City, VA; Manassas Park City, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick County, MD; Montgomery County, MD; District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD
  • Maryland (MD) Arrow icon
    • Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Baltimore, MD; Columbia, MD; Towson, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Anne Arundel County, MD; Baltimore County, MD; Carroll County, MD; Harford County, MD; Howard County, MD; Queen Anne's County, MD; Baltimore City, MD
    • Cumberland, MD-WV, (part) Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Cumberland, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Allegany County, MD; Mineral County, WV
    • Easton, MD, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Easton, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Talbot County, MD
    • Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Hagerstown, MD; Martinsburg, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Washington County, MD; Berkeley County, WV; Morgan County, WV
    • Lexington Park, MD, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Lexington Park, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Calvert County, MD; St. Mary's County, MD
    • Ocean Pines, MD, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Ocean Pines, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Worcester County, MD
    • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: None within the Fifth District
      • County/County Equivalent: Cecil County, MD
    • Salisbury, MD, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Salisbury, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Somerset County, MD; Wicomico County, MD
    • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical
      • Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria City, VA; Fairfax City, VA; Falls Church City, VA; Fredericksburg City, VA; Manassas City, VA; Manassas Park City, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick County, MD; Montgomery County, MD; District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD
  • North Carolina (NC) Arrow icon
    • Albemarle, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Albemarle, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Stanly County, NC
    • Anderson Creek, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Anderson Creek, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Harnett County, NC
    • Asheville, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Asheville, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Buncombe County, NC; Henderson County, NC; Madison County, NC
    • Boone, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Boone, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Watauga County, NC
    • Brevard, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Brevard, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Transylvania County, NC
    • Burlington, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Burlington, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Alamance County, NC
    • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Charlotte, NC; Concord, NC; Gastonia, NC; Rock Hill, SC; Mooresville, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Anson County, NC; Cabarrus County, NC; Gaston County, NC; Iredell County, NC; Lincoln County, NC; Mecklenburg County, NC; Rowan County, NC; Union County, NC; Chester County, SC; Lancaster County, SC; York County, SC
    • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Durham, NC; Chapel Hill, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Chatham County, NC; Durham County, NC; Orange County, NC; Person County, NC
    • Elizabeth City, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Elizabeth City, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Pasquotank County, NC
    • Fayetteville, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Fayetteville, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Cumberland County, NC; Hoke County, NC
    • Forest City, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Forest City, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Rutherford County, NC
    • Goldsboro, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Goldsboro, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Wayne County, NC
    • Greensboro-High Point, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Greensboro, NC; High Point, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Guilford County, NC; Randolph County, NC; Rockingham County, NC
    • Greenville, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Greenville, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Pitt County, NC
    • Henderson, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Henderson, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Vance County, NC
    • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Hickory, NC; Lenoir, NC; Morganton, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Alexander County, NC; Burke County, NC; Caldwell County, NC; Catawba County, NC
    • Jacksonville, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Jacksonville, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Onslow County, NC
    • Kill Devil Hills, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Kill Devil Hills, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Dare County, NC
    • Kinston, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Kinston, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Lenoir County, NC
    • Laurinburg, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Laurinburg, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Scotland County, NC
    • Lumberton, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Lumberton, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Robeson County, NC
    • Marion, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Marion, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: McDowell County, NC
    • Morehead City, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Morehead City, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Carteret County, NC
    • Mount Airy, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Mount Airy, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Surry County, NC
    • New Bern, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: New Bern, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Craven County, NC; Jones County, NC; Pamlico County, NC
    • North Wilkesboro, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: North Wilkesboro, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Wilkes County, NC
    • Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Pinehurst, NC; Southern Pines, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Moore County, NC
    • Raleigh-Cary, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Raleigh, NC; Cary, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Franklin County, NC; Johnston County, NC; Wake County, NC
    • Roanoke Rapids, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Roanoke Rapids, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Halifax County, NC; Northampton County, NC
    • Rockingham, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Rockingham, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Richmond County, NC
    • Rocky Mount, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Rocky Mount, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Edgecombe County, NC; Nash County, NC
    • Sanford, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Sanford, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Lee County, NC
    • Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Shelby, NC; Kings Mountain, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Cleveland County, NC
    • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Virginia Beach, VA; Chesapeake, VA; Norfolk, VA; Newport News, VA; Portsmouth, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Camden County, NC; Currituck County, NC; Gates County, NC; Gloucester County, VA; Isle of Wight County, VA; James City County, VA; Mathews County, VA; Surry County, VA; York County, VA; Chesapeake City, VA; Hampton City, VA; Newport News City, VA; Norfolk city, VA; Poquoson City, VA; Portsmouth City, VA; Suffolk City, VA; Virginia Beach City, VA; Williamsburg City, VA
    • Washington, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Washington, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Beaufort County, NC
    • Waynesville, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Waynesville, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Haywood County, NC
    • Wilmington, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Wilmington, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Brunswick County, NC; New Hanover County, NC; Pender County, NC
    • Wilson, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Wilson, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Wilson County, NC
    • Winston-Salem, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Winston-Salem, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Davidson County, NC; Davie County, NC; Forsyth County, NC; Stokes County, NC; Yadkin County, NC
  • South Carolina (SC) Arrow icon
    • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: None within the Fifth District
      • County/County Equivalent: Aiken County, SC; Edgefield County, SC
    • Charleston-North Charleston, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Charleston, SC; North Charleston, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Berkeley County, SC; Charleston County, SC; Dorchester County, SC
    • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Charlotte, NC; Concord, NC; Gastonia, NC; Rock Hill, SC; Mooresville, NC
      • County/County Equivalent: Anson County, NC; Cabarrus County, NC; Gaston County, NC; Iredell County, NC; Lincoln County, NC; Mecklenburg County, NC; Rowan County, NC; Union County, NC; Chester County, SC; Lancaster County, SC; York County, SC
    • Columbia, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Columbia, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Calhoun County, SC; Fairfield County, SC; Kershaw County, SC; Lexington County, SC; Richland County, SC; Saluda County, SC
    • Florence, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Florence, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Darlington County, SC; Florence County, SC
    • Gaffney, SC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Gaffney, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Cherokee County, SC
    • Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Greenville, SC; Anderson, SC; Greer, SC; Mauldin, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Anderson County, SC; Greenville County, SC; Laurens County, SC; Pickens County, SC
    • Greenwood, SC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Greenwood, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Abbeville County, SC; Greenwood County, SC
    • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Hilton Head Island, SC; Bluffton, SC; Port Royal, SC; Beaufort, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Beaufort County, SC; Jasper County, SC
    • Murrells Inlet, SC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Murrells Inlet, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Georgetown County, SC
    • Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Myrtle Beach, SC; Conway, SC; North Myrtle Beach, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Horry County, SC
    • Newberry, SC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Newberry, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Newberry County, SC
    • Orangeburg, SC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Orangeburg, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Orangeburg County, SC
    • Seneca, SC, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Seneca, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Oconee County, SC
    • Spartanburg, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Spartanburg, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Spartanburg County, SC; Union County, SC
    • Sumter, SC, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Sumter, SC
      • County/County Equivalent: Sumter County, SC
  • Virginia (VA) Arrow icon
    • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Blacksburg, VA; Christiansburg, VA; Radford, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Floyd County, VA; Giles County, VA; Montgomery County, VA; Pulaski County, VA; Radford City, VA
    • Bluefield, WV-VA, (part) Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Bluefield, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Tazewell County, VA; Mercer County, WV
    • Charlottesville, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Charlottesville, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Albemarle County, VA; Fluvanna County, VA; Greene County, VA; Nelson County, VA; Charlottesville City, VA
    • Danville, VA, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Danville, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Pittsylvania County, VA; Danville City, VA
    • Harrisonburg, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Harrisonburg, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Rockingham County, VA; Harrisonburg City, VA
    • Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: None within the Fifth District
      • County/County Equivalent: Scott County, VA; Washington County, VA; Bristol City, VA
    • Lake of the Woods, VA, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Lake of the Woods, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Orange County, VA
    • Lynchburg, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Lynchburg, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Amherst County, VA; Appomattox County, VA; Bedford County, VA; Campbell County, VA; Lynchburg City, VA
    • Martinsville, VA, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Martinsville, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Henry County, VA; Martinsville City, VA
    • Richmond, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Richmond, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Amelia County, VA; Charles City County, VA; Chesterfield County, VA; Dinwiddie County, VA; Goochland County, VA; Hanover County, VA; Henrico County, VA; King and Queen County, VA; King William County, VA; New Kent County, VA; Powhatan County, VA; Prince George County, VA; Sussex County, VA; Colonial Heights City, VA; Hopewell City, VA; Petersburg City, VA; Richmond City, VA
    • Roanoke, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Roanoke, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Botetourt County, VA; Craig County, VA; Franklin County, VA; Roanoke County, VA; Roanoke City, VA; Salem City, VA
    • Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Staunton, VA; Stuarts Draft, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Augusta County, VA; Staunton City, VA; Waynesboro City, VA
    • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Virginia Beach, VA; Chesapeake, VA; Norfolk, VA; Newport News, VA; Portsmouth, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Camden County, NC; Currituck County, NC; Gates County, NC; Gloucester County, VA; Isle of Wight County, VA; James City County, VA; Mathews County, VA; Surry County, VA; York County, VA; Chesapeake City, VA; Hampton City, VA; Newport News City, VA; Norfolk City, VA; Poquoson City, VA; Portsmouth City, VA; Suffolk City, VA; Virginia Beach City, VA; Williamsburg City, VA
    • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria City, VA; Fairfax City, VA; Falls Church City, VA; Fredericksburg City, VA; Manassas City, VA; Manassas Park City, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick County, MD; Montgomery County, MD; District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD
    • Winchester, VA-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Winchester, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Frederick County, VA; Winchester City, VA; Hampshire County, WV
  • West Virginia (WV) Arrow icon
    • Beckley, WV, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Beckley, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Fayette County, WV; Raleigh County, WV
    • Bluefield, WV-VA, (part) Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Bluefield, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Tazewell County, VA; Mercer County, WV
    • Charleston, WV, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Charleston, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Boone County, WV; Clay County, WV; Kanawha County, WV
    • Clarksburg, WV, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Clarksburg, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Doddridge County, WV; Harrison County, WV; Taylor County, WV
    • Cumberland, MD-WV, (part) Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Cumberland, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Allegany County, MD; Mineral County, WV
    • Elkins, WV, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Elkins, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Randolph County, WV
    • Fairmont, WV, Micropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Fairmont, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Marion County, WV
    • Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Hagerstown, MD; Martinsburg, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Washington County, MD; Berkeley County, WV; Morgan County, WV
    • Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Huntington, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Cabell County, WV; Putnam County, WV; Wayne County, WV
    • Morgantown, WV, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Morgantown, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Monongalia County, WV; Preston County, WV
    • Parkersburg-Vienna, WV, Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Parkersburg, WV; Vienna, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Wirt County, WV; Wood County, WV
    • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD
      • County/County Equivalent: Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria City, VA; Fairfax City, VA; Falls Church City, VA; Fredericksburg City, VA; Manassas City, VA; Manassas Park City, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick County, MD; Montgomery County, MD; District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD
    • Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Weirton, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Brooke County, WV; Hancock County, WV
    • Wheeling, WV-OH, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Wheeling, WV
      • County/County Equivalent: Marshall County, WV; Ohio County, WV
    • Winchester, VA-WV, (part) Metropolitan Statistical Area
      • Principal City: Winchester, VA
      • County/County Equivalent: Frederick County, VA; Winchester City, VA; Hampshire County, WV
1

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis; author's calculations

2

Real GDP is an inflation-adjusted measure of each area's gross product that is based on national prices for the goods and services produced within the area. The real estimates of GDP are measured in chained (2017) dollars.

3

It is important to note that while this release happened as the 2020 census was being fielded, it did not use the updated methodology of the 2020 census. It still used the 2010 census methodology. The new methodology is first seen in the June 2023 report.

4

Statistical areas can cross state lines and include multiple states. For example, the Washington D.C., MSA spans Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

5

The Fifth District total is the total number of unique metro areas (i.e., excluding, double counting).

6

Note: Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas can cross state lines. This Appendix lists all statistical areas even if they cross state lines outside of the Fifth District; however, only principal cities and counties that are within the Fifth District are listed.

Views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond or the Federal Reserve System.

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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond published this content on October 02, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 02, 2025 at 11:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]