Ponce metropolitan area

The Ponce Metropolitan Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in south central Puerto Rico. A 1 July 2009 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 262,414, a 0.95% decrease from the 2000 census figure of 264,919.

Ponce is the third largest metropolitan area (by population) in Puerto Rico. Of the eight MSA areas in the Commonwealth, only Ponce and Mayagüez experienced population declines during the 2000-2009 period.

Municipalities
A total of six municipalities (Spanish: municipios) are included as part of the Ponce Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Yauco Metropolitan Statistical Area was formerly a separate area in Puerto Rico, but this area was dissolved and three of its municipalities were added to the Ponce MSA. The municipalities (municipios) in the newly defined area are:


 * Guayanilla
 * Juana Díaz
 * Peñuelas
 * Ponce (Principal City)
 * Villalba
 * Yauco

Combined Statistical Area
The Ponce–Coamo Combined Statistical Area (CSA) includes the Coamo micropolitan statistical area; the combined statistical area has eight municipalities in total. The redefined Coamo μSA consists of the formerly separate μSAs of Coamo and Santa Isabel.

Components

 * Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA)
 * Ponce (6 Municipalities)
 * Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)
 * Coamo (2 Municipalities)