Final answer:
The correct statement about MSAs is that they are freestanding urban areas with populations in excess of 50,000. MSAs are closely tied by economic factors such as commuting patterns, and a significant majority of the American population now resides in these metropolitan and suburban areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement about Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) is that they are freestanding urban areas with populations in excess of 50,000. MSAs are defined by the Census Bureau and include multiple cities or counties with close economic ties, as measured by commuting patterns of workers. New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas-Fort Worth anchor some of the most populous MSAs in the United States. Unlike the definition provided for an urban cluster which focuses on smaller cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, the MSA's defining characteristic is a larger urban population center. Urban areas, including metropolitan regions, have seen a shift with the majority of the American populace now living in these zones, which include significant suburban areas alongside core cities.
As economies develop, there is a trend towards urbanization with more people residing in metropolitan and urban areas. In the United States, approximately 80% of the population now lives in metropolitan areas (suburbs included), which has risen from 40% in 1900. Understanding the dynamics of urbanization and the changing demographics involving MSAs can provide insight into the growth and development of urban structures within economies.