The Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in central New York, anchored by the city of Syracuse. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 662,577. In the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 650,154.

As of the census of 2000, there were 650,154 people, 252,043 households, and 164,202 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 88.36% White, 6.87% African American, 0.74% Native American, 1.61% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.08% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $39,210, and the median income for a family was $47,862. Males had a median income of $35,698 versus $25,373 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $19,098.

The Syracuse–Auburn Combined Statistical Area is made up of four counties in central New York. The statistical area includes one metropolitan area and one micropolitan area. As of the 2000 Census, the CSA had a population of 732,117 (though a July 1, 2009 estimate placed the population at 725,610).

Syracuse ( /ˈsɪrəkjuːs/ or local /ˈsɛrəkjuːs/) is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, It is the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and is the fifth most populous city in the state of New York. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, (making it the 167th largest city in the country) and its metropolitan area had a population of 662,577. It is the economic and educational hub of Central New York, a region with over a million inhabitants. Syracuse is also well-provided with convention sites, with a downtown convention complex and, directly west of the city, the Empire Expo Center, which hosts the annual Great New York State Fair. The city derives its name from Siracusa, a city on the eastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily.

The city has functioned as a major crossroads over the last two centuries, first between the Erie Canal and its branch canals, then of the railway network. Today, Syracuse is located at the intersection of Interstates 81 and 90, and its airport is the largest in the region. Syracuse is home to Syracuse University, a major research university; the Upstate Medical University and Hospital, the city's largest employer; and several smaller colleges and professional schools. In 2010 Forbes rated Syracuse 4th in the top 10 places to raise a family.