# how to use METFIPS

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-use-metfips/1577>\
**Category:** CPS\
**Created:** [February 8, 2017, 5:08am UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-use-metfips/1577 "2017-02-08T05:08:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cassie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Cassie](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Cassie)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 5:08am UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-use-metfips/1577/1 "2017-02-08T05:08:00Z")

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This is a follow up question. I understand that Metfips is change over time.

I interested in data from 2005 to 2016. so I checked the “Codes” from the data description page.

And I realize that in this time period, the code has changed one time at 2014. And I find the following webpage:

Metropolitan area codes: May 2014 onward:

[https://cps.ipums.org/cps/codes/metfi…](https://cps.ipums.org/cps/codes/metfips_2014onward_codes.shtml)

Metropolitan area codes: May 2004-April 2014:

[https://cps.ipums.org/cps/codes/metfi…](https://cps.ipums.org/cps/codes/metfips_20042014_codes.shtml)

I don’t know how to use this information. How do I match the codes in two pages?

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**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-use-metfips/1577/2 "2017-02-08T15:13:00Z")

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[METFIPS](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/METFIPS#description_section) provides the original metropolitan codes for each respondent’s residence. Because both these codes and the classification of metropolitan areas change over time, METFIPS is a difficult variable to use when analyzing samples across several years. The [METAREA](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/METAREA#description_section) variable uses a standard coding system across time, and although terminology for metropolitan areas and the classification of specific areas changes over time, the general concept is consistent: a metropolitan area consists of a large population center and adjacent communities that have a high degree of economic and social interaction.

I hope this helps.