The Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) boundary refers to the geographic area in which the metropolitan transportation planning process must be carried out. The boundary is determined in agreement by the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Governor. By law, the Metropolitan Planning Area, at a minimum, must encompass the existing urbanized area as defined by the most recent Census and the contiguous area(s) likely to become urbanized within the 20-year forecast covered by the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The Metropolitan Planning Area boundary is reviewed and updated as necessary after each Census by the MPO in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
The Metropolitan Planning Area boundary for the Jackson Urbanized Area Metropolitan Planning Organization consists of portions of Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties.
For a more detailed and comprehensive explanation about how the Metropolitan Planning Area or Census-defined Urbanized Area boundaries are determined please visit the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) website by clicking here.
