Book excerpt: The State and Metropolitan Area Data Book is the continuation of the U.S. Census Bureau’s discontinued publication. It is a convenient summary of statistics on the social and economic structure of the states, metropolitan areas, and micropolitan areas in the United States. It is designed to serve as a statistical reference and guide to other data publications and sources. This new edition features more than 1,500 data items from a variety of sources. It covers many key topical areas including population, birth and death rates, health coverage, school enrollment, crime rates, income and housing, employment, transportation, and government. The metropolitan area information is based on the latest set of definitions of metropolitan and micropolitan areas including: a complete listing and data for all states, metropolitan areas, including micropolitan areas, and their component counties 2010 census counts and more recent population estimates for all areas results of the 2016 national and state elections expanded vital statistics, communication, and criminal justice data data on migration and commuting habits American Community Survey 1- and 3-year estimates data on health insurance and housing and finance matters accurate and helpful citations to allow the user to directly consult the source source notes and explanations A guide to state statistical abstracts and state information Economic development officials, regional planners, urban researchers, college students, and data users can easily see the trends and changes affecting the nation today.