Micropolitan Areas and Housing Values

摘要

Micropolitan areas (Micros) are newly defined census geography, falling between metropolitan and rural in terms of their urban qualities. Micros significantly redefine the American landscape, placing much more of the U.S. land area into "centered," as opposed to "non-centered," areas. This article examines the characteristics of Micros and their housing characteristics, affordability, and prices. Key Points: 1. Micropolilan areas contain more than 28 million people (or one in ten Americans) and they account for over a fifth of all U.S. counties. Eastern micropolitan areas mostly lie between metropolitan areas, while Western ones may be isolated places far from big metropolitan areas. 2. Micropolitan areas have slightly more affordable housing than the U.S. average. Remote micropolilan areas, especially in the Great Plains states, have the most affordable housing as a group, while Dooming ones in the West are the least affordable. 3. Micropolitan areas are not identical small towns-they can be as different from one another as Los Angeles is from Detroit. Likewise, micropolitan housing varies considerably ranging from some of the least to some of the most affordable places in the United Stales to own a home.