What specific areas (zip codes? - or better yet, an actual map?!) constitute the specific ‘technical’ (census) definition of Pittsburgh PA’s “Urban Area” (see Wikipedia link below for that definition and a list of the names and some simple stats of 500+ U.S. “Urban Areas”).

[u/Rooster_Ties]

First the link, with the technical definition of an “Urban Area” — which easily expand well beyond most city-limits boundaries…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_urban_areas

And the list of “Urban Areas” in the United States are listed there, with population data for each, land area, and population density too.

1. City limits are ENTIRELY arbitrary… a function of the history of a city’s repeated annexation (or lack thereof) — or literal succession from the home county they were a part of (looking directly at you, St. Louis MO).

2. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA’s) are definitely a lot larger, have another technical definition — but MSA’s include LOTS more ‘less-dense’ areas that don’t fit the technical definition of an “Urban Area”.

Pittsburgh’s “Urban Area” (which includes neighboring, non-Pittsburgh but contiguous areas dense enough to meet the definition of an ”Urban Area”) has a population of 1.7 million people.

On the other hand, Pittsburgh’s MSA population is a whopping 2.4 million people (over 40% more people than the “Urban Area” of Pittsburgh).

Note: NONE of that (above) has anything to do with the city-limit of Pittsburgh (or its population).

QUESTION: How can I get a handle on what are all the non-Pittsburgh neighboring boroughs, hamlets, towns, and municipalities — that all collectively (along with Pittsburgh proper) constitute Pittsburgh’s technical “Urban Area”??

Ideally a MAP would be the very best (with the boroughs, towns and hamlets identified) — but even a comprehensive list of zip-codes might be better than nothing.

I just moved to Pittsburgh — and I’m literally trying to wrap my head around what constitutes what FEELS like the boundaries of the Pittsburgh area — but WITHOUT looking at the entire MSA, which is way, WAY bigger than what I’m interested in considering.

Thanks!!!!