Land. How can data define suburbs, cities & exurbs?

Urban Houston and Urban NYC look vastly different, but does that make homes inside Houston’s 610 Loop suburban? I know it when I see it is a better solution.

But, an even better solution: data

Here’s an example of how population data can define urban, suburban and exurb:

• “City” simply equals core city-limits population
• “Suburbs” equal MSA population minus city and exurbs population.
• “Exurbs” equal MSA population minus city and suburbs population.

Want more? The US Census Bureau says urban is contiguous census tracts with a population density greater than 1,000 people per square mile

How do the U.S.’s 53 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas break down their population under the definitions above?

• 57.1% suburban population
• 26.8% of the population is urban and lives in the city limits
• 16.2% live in the exurbs

Governing | How Can We Define Suburbia? Start With the Numbers.