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Description

LMA is an unrecoded variable that identifies the labor market area of enumerated households.

Labor market areas (LMAs) are groups of counties with a combined population of 100,000+ residents. The county composition of LMAs is based on a hierarchical cluster analysis of journey-to-work data that defines county-to-county commuter flows. All U.S. counties or county equivalents are classified in an LMA, and the boundaries of the LMA may contain counties from more than one state. In 1980, there are 382 labor market areas; in 1990, there are 394 LMAs.

The hierarchical cluster analysis uses an algorithm to identify groups of counties with strong commuting ties and organizes spatial commuting zones based on the calculated cluster centroid distances. (See C. Tolbert and M. Sizer, U.S. Commuting Zones and Labor Market Areas, for additional information on the statistical techniques used to construct commuting zones and LMAs.) When necessary, commuting zones are aggregated to meet the minimum 100,000 total population criteria set by the Census Bureau to protect confidentiality. (See COMZONE for additional information.) LMAs vary in total population size from 100,000 to several million, without a maximum population size restriction.