A South Dakota city gets to lay claim to a portion of Minnesota now, at least according to the latest census numbers, and the US Office of Management & Budget. The city of Sioux Falls has a Metropolitan Statistical Area, or MSA, which recently grew to include a five-county area instead of a four-county one. The 5th county added happens to be in Minnesota.

Rock County Minnesota is now being included in the Sioux Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area adding just under 10,000 people to its population, for an estimated total next year of 315,000.

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What is a Metropolitan Statistical Area?

To be considered a Metropolitan Statistical Area, an MSA must have at least one urban area of 50,000 or more population, plus adjacent territory that has 'a high degree of social and economic integration with the core as measured by commuting ties' according to the Census Bureau.

The new area will be taken into account for labor data starting in January.

What does this mean for Rock County residents?

Nothing is going to change for residents of Rock County, other than the fact that they may get more federal money now that they are considered part of the large metro area of Sioux Falls.

The estimated population for the new MSA is expected to exceed 500,000 residents by 2050.

Is this the first time something like this has happened with MSA's?

You can see other examples of multi-state MSA's like this one, including some in Connecticut and Rhode Island, by heading here.

You can learn more about the new MSA by heading here.