The standard classification of urban area is updated annually. The annual classification is released on the 1st of January each year, but there are not always changes from the previous classification. Urban area is a flat classification and contains 145 categories with a three part hierarchical sub-division of urban area's into:
Rural centres and rural areas are also defined in the urban area classification. The codes for rural centres, rural areas and residual categories start at 501. See "Available files".