micropolitan

adjective

mi·​cro·​pol·​i·​tan ˌmī-krō-ˈpä-lə-tən How to pronounce micropolitan (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a population area that includes a city with 10,000 to 50,000 residents and its surrounding communities

Examples of micropolitan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Wednesday night, the U.S. Census Bureau released its 2025 estimates of total population and components of change for U.S. counties and metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, and total population for Puerto Rico municipios and metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 In March, the bureau will release its estimates of the July 1, 2025, population totals and components of change for the U.S. metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas and counties. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026 Applicant growth was about twice as great among students from rural (11%), small town (9%), and micropolitan (8%) areas, compared to those from metropolitan location (4%). Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 Of the 13 metropolitan and micropolitan regions the Fed identifies in Idaho, the Hailey region — comprising Blaine, Camas and Lincoln counties — is the least affordable. Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Nov. 2025 There are 542 micropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. and 23 of them are in North Carolina, according to the data. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025 Growth in the number of applicants was roughly equal across metropolitan and micropolitan areas and small towns (ranging from 4% to 6%), while applicants from rural areas grew by only 1%. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 By the numbers: Hood River ranked seventh among 50 U.S. micropolitan areas with a median home value of $492,500, similar to prices seen in the Portland metro. Meira Gebel, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025 The data from the U.S. Census Bureau is part of the annual Population Estimates Program where populations are estimated for the nation, states, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, counties, cities and towns, as well as Puerto Rico. Annie Jennemann, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

micr- + (metro)politan entry 2

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of micropolitan was in 1982

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Micropolitan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micropolitan. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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