The Sioux Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in South Dakota and one county in Minnesota, anchored by the city of Sioux Falls.The metro area is referred to locally as the Sioux Empire.Despite the name, it is considered a part of the larger area known as Siouxland as it is within the Big Sioux River basin.[1] As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 187,093 people, 72,492 households, and 48,282 families residing within the MSA.The racial makeup of the MSA was 94.07% White, 1.25% African American, 1.56% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races.