The future is Metro...

Well it finally happened.  At some point over the last 50 years we became a metropolitan nation. 
Recognizing this the Brookings Institute last month kicked off a multi-year program called Blueprint for American Prosperity.  The program is aimed at using those critical assests - innovation, human capital, infrastructure, and quality places - that tend to be located in major metropolitan areas.

Consider for a moment these stats:

• The nation's 100 largest metro areas account for 75 percent of the nation's gross domestic product
• More than four out of every five Americans live in metropolitan areas
• Washington has two of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas—Seattle and Portland/Vancouver
• Seattle and Portland/Vancouver alone account for 58 percent of the state’s population, 62 percent of the state’s jobs, and 71 percent of the state’s gross domestic product
• Spokane ranks 105 out of 363 metropolitan areas in terms of number of jobs

We're close to breaking into the top 100.  Ahead of Spokane are: Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL (MSA), Winston-Salem, NC, Lakeland, FL, Reno-Sparks, NV, and Fort Wayne, IN.

• MetroNation Profile:  Washington's Metropolitan Areas(pdf)
• Blueprint for American Prosperity [Brookings Institute]

Comments

[MK]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but at the last census I believe CDA was asked if they wanted to be counted as a metro area with us and refused. But once the total metro area (Spokane/CDA) is over 500,000 (like the next census) they have no choice and will be considered part of our metro area. That 440,000 people number looks like Spokane County alone. Kootenai County has another 130,000 souls but I don't know exactly how these census things work.

[METROSPOKANE]

yep. You're correct. Our MSA includes just Spokane County. Broaden that to include CDA-which looks to be inevitable- add in their job count, and we'll easily jump into the top 100k.

[dan/Spokane]

As I understand it, I've heard with the new Federal changes with Metro classifications that the two counties will be combined in the next few years. Has anyone else heard this?
Both counties need to work together for the common (Metro area) good!

[Andrew Waddilove]

I think it's fair that Coeur d'Alene shares with us in a combined metropolitan area.
For years now they've shared with us in a combined phone book directory.
With a combined metro population base, it will make our area shine a little more when future companies look to relocate here.