Which cities boast the highest populations in the United States? New York City takes the lead as the most populous city in the US. Below is a compilation of the ten most densely populated cities in the country, based on data from 2020:

  1. New York City, NY (Population: 8,622,357)
  2. Los Angeles, CA (Population: 4,085,014)
  3. Chicago, IL (Population: 2,670,406)
  4. Houston, TX (Population: 2,378,146)
  5. Phoenix, AZ (Population: 1,743,469)
  6. Philadelphia, PA (Population: 1,590,402)
  7. San Antonio, TX (Population: 1,579,504)
  8. San Diego, CA (Population: 1,469,490)
  9. Dallas, TX (Population: 1,400,337)
  10. San Jose, CA (Population: 1,036,242)

The United States Census categorizes populated areas within the country as ‘incorporated places.’ In the U.S., incorporated places encompass a variety of entities such as cities, towns, villages, and municipalities. As of the year 2015, there are over 300 incorporated places in the United States with a population exceeding 100,000, marking a significant increase from the 285 recorded in 2012.

 

Data from the US Census Bureau reveals that a total of 10 cities in the United States have surpassed the 1 million population milestone. Among these, California and Texas contribute significantly, accounting for 60%, with each state hosting three cities with a population exceeding 1 million. Texas stands out for having the largest number of rapidly growing cities, with six out of the top 13. Additionally, half of the top ten cities experiencing the most substantial population gains are situated in Texas. Notably, New York City gained the highest number of new residents in 2013 and 2014, holding the status of the most populous city in the nation.

The populace of the United States is dispersed across its major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, as well as in suburban regions within less densely populated states. Following an economic downturn and elevated unemployment rates, there is an anticipated significant rebound in the population of U.S. cities of various sizes, given the more stable economic conditions. The influx of foreign immigrants is also expected to play a role in the future growth of cities across the spectrum, including the nation’s largest urban centers.

With a population surpassing 300 million people, the United States is host to numerous sizable cities, each boasting populations exceeding a million residents. New York City holds the top spot with over 8.5 million inhabitants, trailed by Los Angeles and Chicago, each with over 2.5 million residents. Southern cities Houston and Phoenix complete the top five, with populations approaching 2.3 million and 1.6 million, respectively.

In addition to Houston, several other cities in Texas boast substantial populations. Both Dallas and San Antonio exceed a million residents, while Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso each house well over 500,000 people. Notably, Fort Worth leads in terms of growth among Texas cities, registering a growth rate of 2.34%.

Irvine, California experienced the most rapid growth among U.S. cities, boasting a remarkable rate of 3.87%, while St. Louis, Missouri, exhibited the slowest growth at -1.11%. Tulsa, Oklahoma stood out as the sole city with a growth rate of -0.00%. Despite the perpetual growth in major urban areas, several cities unaffiliated with such centers also witnessed significant increases, including Henderson, Nevada (2.76%), Scottsdale, Arizona (2.75%), and Durham, North Carolina (2.09%).

The examination of city data underscores the pivotal role of population density, influencing critical aspects such as transportation, infrastructure, and residents’ living standards. Individual preferences come into play, with some favoring the tranquility of smaller, less populated cities with expansive open spaces, while others thrive in the vibrant atmosphere of bustling metropolises.

Anchorage, Alaska boasts the lowest population density in the U.S. at 67/km², although its challenging climate and remote location make it a less straightforward city to inhabit. Other cities with notably low population densities include Chesapeake, Virginia (274/km²); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (332/km²); and Jacksonville, Florida (462/km²). Conversely, cities with the highest population densities include New York City at 11,000/km², San Francisco at 7,242/km², Jersey City at 6,901/km², and Boston at 5,434/km².

These trends are part of the broader demographic landscape of the 300 largest cities in the United States as of 2023.

CityRankState2023 Population
2020 CensusAnnual ChangeDensity (mi²)Area (mi²)
New York City1New York7,888,1218,772,978-3.48%26,260300.38
Los Angeles2California3,769,4853,889,834-1.04%8,038468.96
Chicago3Illinois2,608,4252,741,730-1.65%11,472227.37
Houston4Texas2,264,8762,300,027-0.51%3,538640.19
Phoenix5Arizona1,651,3441,611,3450.82%3,190517.67
Philadelphia6Pennsylvania1,527,8861,601,005-1.55%11,378134.28
San Antonio7Texas1,479,4931,438,2270.95%3,050485.11
San Diego8California1,374,0761,385,394-0.27%4,217325.88
Dallas9Texas1,259,4041,303,234-1.13%3,707339.74
Austin10Texas966,292963,1210.11%3,020319.94
Jacksonville11Florida962,970950,4630.44%1,288747.47
Fort Worth12Texas961,885922,5921.4%2,783345.58
San Jose13California930,8621,010,908-2.71%5,235177.81
Columbus14Ohio907,865905,8600.07%4,142219.20
Charlotte15North Carolina885,663876,7470.34%2,883307.24
Indianapolis16Indiana871,449887,382-0.6%2,410361.57
Seattle17Washington725,487738,172-0.58%8,65183.86
San Francisco18California715,717870,014-6.3%15,26046.90
Denver19Colorado699,288717,630-0.86%4,562153.29
Oklahoma City20Oklahoma697,763682,7600.73%1,151606.45
El Paso21Texas678,049678,598-0.03%2,634257.42
Nashville22Tennessee658,525689,248-1.51%1,385475.54
Las Vegas23Nevada653,843643,2920.54%4,612141.77
Washington24District of Columbia631,693690,093-2.9%10,33361.14
Memphis25Tennessee621,777631,326-0.51%1,959317.36
Louisville26Kentucky621,764632,037-0.55%2,360263.43
Detroit27Michigan621,193638,176-0.9%4,478138.72
Portland28Oregon619,286652,388-1.72%4,642133.42
Boston29Massachusetts617,459674,272-2.89%12,77448.34
Baltimore30Maryland563,455583,132-1.14%6,96180.95
Albuquerque31New Mexico558,523564,648-0.36%2,983187.22
Milwaukee32Wisconsin555,640576,301-1.21%5,77796.18
Fresno33California549,242542,1590.43%4,787114.72
Tucson34Arizona546,019541,8590.26%2,294238.01
Sacramento35California528,306523,4160.31%5,40697.73
Mesa36Arizona516,783505,8600.71%3,742138.09
Kansas City37Missouri509,319507,9320.09%1,617314.89
Colorado Springs38Colorado491,530480,2130.78%2,521195
Atlanta39Georgia490,270499,586-0.63%3,612135.74
Omaha40Nebraska479,655491,168-0.79%3,402140.98
Raleigh41North Carolina472,540467,4250.36%3,239145.89
Virginia Beach42Virginia454,289459,373-0.37%1,856244.72
Long Beach43California439,153464,759-1.87%8,66250.70
Miami44Florida435,919441,889-0.45%12,11036
Oakland45California422,994439,341-1.26%7,56855.89
Minneapolis46Minnesota418,075429,014-0.86%7,74254
Bakersfield47California416,175403,4011.04%2,779149.76
Tulsa48Oklahoma408,956412,629-0.3%2,071197.48
Aurora49Colorado394,941386,5800.72%2,560154.27
Tampa50Florida393,264383,9800.8%3,449114.02
Wichita51Kansas392,878397,117-0.36%2,430161.66
Arlington52Texas390,399393,985-0.3%4,07695.78
New Orleans53Louisiana364,659383,282-1.65%2,152169.43
Cleveland54Ohio360,040372,032-1.09%4,63477.69
Anaheim55California343,654347,089-0.33%6,82950.32
Honolulu56Hawaii337,088349,800-1.23%5,56860.54
Henderson57Nevada328,516319,0550.98%3,097106.08
Stockton58California324,888320,7450.43%5,22662.17
Riverside59California322,538314,6550.83%3,96981.26
Lexington60Kentucky320,576322,403-0.19%1,130283.64
Corpus Christi61Texas317,615317,852-0.03%1,989159.70
Irvine62California314,384306,3890.86%4,79165.62
Orlando63Florida312,280307,6030.5%2,825110.56
Santa Ana64California308,549309,888-0.14%11,27727.36
Cincinnati65Ohio306,592310,113-0.38%3,93977.84
Newark66New Jersey301,055310,350-1.01%12,46924.14
St. Paul67Minnesota299,830310,942-1.21%5,76851.98
Greensboro68North Carolina299,175297,8080.15%2,318129.07
Pittsburgh69Pennsylvania295,793302,777-0.78%5,34255.38
Lincoln70Nebraska295,222291,3830.44%3,06896.22
North Las Vegas71Nevada295,097264,2163.75%3,01198.02
Plano72Texas291,450286,6680.55%4,06671.68
Durham73North Carolina287,794284,4000.4%2,565112.22
Chandler74Arizona283,301277,5560.69%4,35065.12
Anchorage75Alaska283,154290,637-0.87%1661,706.80
Gilbert76Arizona281,169269,2061.46%4,10668.47
St. Louis77Missouri279,390300,528-2.4%4,52561.74
Chula Vista78California278,734276,4660.27%5,61549.64
Reno79Nevada278,577264,1161.79%2,562108.74
Buffalo80New York274,618277,908-0.4%6,80140.38
Madison81Wisconsin269,897268,8460.13%3,40279.34
Fort Wayne82Indiana269,621264,1690.68%2,437110.64
Jersey City83New Jersey268,578291,927-2.74%18,21614.74
Lubbock84Texas267,329257,8821.21%1,984134.72
Toledo85Ohio265,468270,041-0.57%3,29880.49
Laredo86Texas257,795255,3360.32%2,438105.74
St. Petersburg87Florida257,290258,658-0.18%4,15961.86
Chesapeake88Virginia254,479249,6790.64%752338.51
Winston-Salem89North Carolina252,274249,3490.39%1,902132.61
Glendale90Arizona251,305248,7970.34%4,08061.59
Irving91Texas248,931256,873-1.04%3,71267.06
Scottsdale92Arizona244,402241,9330.34%1,328183.99
Port St. Lucie93Florida240,777206,7525.21%2,020119.20
Boise94Idaho240,713235,8290.69%2,87783.67
Garland95Texas235,293245,478-1.4%4,12457.06
Norfolk96Virginia230,163237,591-1.05%4,32053.27
Spokane97Washington229,513228,8500.1%3,33868.76
Frisco98Texas227,528202,7863.91%3,34068.13
Richmond99Virginia226,472226,670-0.03%3,77959.92
San Bernardino100California223,044221,7840.19%3,59162.11
Cape Coral101Florida221,997196,2904.19%2,095105.95
Huntsville102Alabama220,854215,0430.89%1,030214.36
Fremont103California219,419231,673-1.8%2,83277.47
Modesto104California219,396218,4590.14%5,10542.98
Tacoma105Washington218,849219,383-0.08%4,39849.76
Baton Rouge106Louisiana217,665224,480-1.02%2,51886.45
Hialeah107Florida217,201222,153-0.75%10,06421.58
Santa Clarita108California217,003228,487-1.7%3,06770.75
Moreno Valley109California216,456209,2131.14%4,22351.26
Fontana110California214,718208,8100.94%4,98543.07
McKinney111Texas214,302197,1222.83%3,20166.94
Rochester112New York209,934210,943-0.16%5,87035.77
Fayetteville113North Carolina209,182208,5760.1%1,415147.85
Des Moines114Iowa208,734213,699-0.78%2,36788.18
Yonkers115New York206,680210,970-0.68%11,47518.01
Worcester116Massachusetts205,272206,242-0.16%5,49437.36
Sioux Falls117South Dakota203,287193,2331.7%2,59978.23
Columbus118Georgia202,957206,960-0.65%938216.48
Salt Lake City119Utah202,272199,5870.45%1,827110.70
Amarillo120Texas201,910200,8970.17%1,984101.74
Oxnard121California201,155202,242-0.18%7,58326.53
Little Rock122Arkansas201,029202,484-0.24%1,675119.99
Peoria123Arizona200,916191,9851.53%1,142175.99
Augusta124Georgia199,894201,850-0.32%661302.27
Grand Prairie125Texas199,395196,3310.52%2,76072.25
Tallahassee126Florida198,631196,3420.39%1,977100.47
Knoxville127Tennessee196,823190,5941.08%1,99498.71
Overland Park128Kansas196,147197,587-0.24%2,60975.18
Montgomery129Alabama196,010200,006-0.67%1,226159.88
Grand Rapids130Michigan195,911198,173-0.38%4,37744.76
Vancouver131Washington194,384191,0710.57%3,98848.74
Huntington Beach132California192,605198,707-1.03%7,13327
Birmingham133Alabama192,557200,133-1.28%1,318146.08
Tempe134Arizona190,889180,8231.82%4,77539.98
Brownsville135Texas189,987186,7620.57%1,436132.32
Providence136Rhode Island188,877190,101-0.21%10,26218.41
Akron137Ohio187,724190,164-0.43%3,03161.93
Glendale138California184,906196,208-1.96%6,06830.47
Chattanooga139Tennessee183,095181,6240.27%1,281142.96
Ontario140California182,069175,9451.15%3,64449.96
Mobile141Alabama182,068186,411-0.78%1,305139.47
Newport News142Virginia181,958185,916-0.71%2,63768.99
Elk Grove143California181,758177,6320.77%4,32442.03
Salem144Oregon181,620175,8061.09%3,73048.69
Cary145North Carolina180,227175,3890.91%3,06958.73
Fort Lauderdale146Florida179,447182,789-0.61%5,18834.59
Clarksville147Tennessee178,602167,2582.21%1,80898.80
Shreveport148Louisiana177,562187,338-1.77%1,654107.36
Aurora149Illinois177,108180,355-0.6%3,93545.01
Rancho Cucamonga150California176,288174,5720.33%4,39440.12
Eugene151Oregon175,685174,8020.17%3,98044.14
Santa Rosa152California175,065177,882-0.53%4,11742.52
Oceanside153California170,713174,128-0.66%4,13841.26
Springfield154Missouri169,920169,6260.06%2,06282.39
Garden Grove155California167,837171,829-0.78%9,34717.96
Fort Collins156Colorado167,554169,032-0.29%2,93057.18
Pembroke Pines157Florida166,255170,981-0.93%5,08832.67
Murfreesboro158Tennessee166,218153,3422.72%2,69461.71
Lancaster159California164,853172,862-1.57%1,74994.28
Corona160California164,179157,5701.38%4,10639.99
Killeen161Texas162,900153,0442.1%2,98754.55
Salinas162California161,585163,397-0.37%6,89723.43
Denton163Texas160,564142,3024.11%1,66896.24
Surprise164Arizona159,229144,4123.31%1,473108.06
Roseville165California159,078148,4352.33%3,60944.08
Palmdale166California158,943169,279-2.08%1,498106.08
Lakewood167Colorado157,533156,1430.3%3,66043.05
Paterson168New Jersey154,594159,419-1.02%18,3768.41
Springfield169Massachusetts153,267155,556-0.49%4,80931.87
Hayward170California153,160163,269-2.11%3,36345.54
Charleston171South Carolina153,040150,9030.47%1,384110.55
Kansas City172Kansas151,208156,241-1.08%1,211124.81
Hollywood173Florida150,989152,705-0.38%5,53727.27
Joliet174Illinois150,718150,1990.11%2,34964.15
Escondido175California149,482151,260-0.39%4,00637.31
Naperville176Illinois148,754149,279-0.12%3,83338.81
Bridgeport177Connecticut148,457148,2710.04%9,24216.06
McAllen178Texas147,118142,3471.1%2,23965.70
Olathe179Kansas146,297141,4001.14%2,37361.64
Alexandria180Virginia146,284159,097-2.76%9,79514.93
Savannah181Georgia145,870147,701-0.41%1,404103.91
Rockford182Illinois145,716148,719-0.68%2,26364.38
Visalia183California145,306141,8280.81%3,83237.92
Sunnyvale184California145,302155,860-2.31%6,59622.03
Bellevue185Washington144,755151,839-1.58%4,32633.46
Syracuse186New York144,261147,033-0.63%5,76425.03
Mesquite187Texas143,792149,680-1.33%3,04347.25
Jackson188Mississippi143,776152,846-2.02%1,294111.09
Thornton189Colorado143,502142,1660.31%3,99835.89
Pasadena190Texas143,330151,347-1.8%3,28843.59
Pomona191California142,912151,128-1.85%6,21822.98
Waco192Texas142,241138,2890.94%1,60188.86
Gainesville193Florida141,341139,9290.34%2,24163.07
Meridian194Idaho139,422119,7295.21%4,10433.97
Fullerton195California139,311143,173-0.91%6,21122.43
Hampton196Virginia138,985137,1310.45%2,70151.46
Victorville197California138,399134,7420.9%1,88073.62
Columbia198South Carolina137,996137,3140.17%1,015136
Stamford199Connecticut137,566135,6850.46%3,65737.62
Torrance200California137,465146,769-2.16%6,69920.52
New Haven201Connecticut137,339133,9660.83%7,34818.69
West Valley City202Utah136,938140,209-0.78%3,86135.47
Dayton203Ohio136,598138,060-0.36%2,46655.40
Miramar204Florida136,496134,3730.52%4,73128.85
Warren205Michigan136,153139,129-0.72%3,96334.36
Orange206California134,475138,680-1.02%5,23925.67
Cedar Rapids207Iowa134,266137,581-0.81%1,87571.62
Carrollton208Texas132,935133,409-0.12%3,62536.67
Elizabeth209New Jersey132,570136,848-1.05%10,76112.32
Sterling Heights210Michigan131,523134,151-0.66%3,61036.43
Kent211Washington131,320136,628-1.31%3,89133.75
Pasadena212California130,935138,196-1.78%5,70322.96
Round Rock213Texas130,919120,4982.8%3,61536.21
Coral Springs214Florida130,445134,027-0.9%5,70522.86
Norman215Oklahoma129,663127,3210.61%725178.83
Columbia216Missouri128,879125,8520.8%1,96665.57
Palm Bay217Florida128,655120,1812.3%1,31597.81
Midland218Texas128,579132,720-1.05%1,72974.38
Fargo219North Dakota128,557125,8530.71%2,58449.74
Athens220Georgia127,793127,1410.17%1,099116.33
Clovis221California127,753120,6741.92%5,02825.41
Santa Clara222California126,603127,426-0.22%6,94618.23
Allentown223Pennsylvania125,890125,971-0.02%7,17417.55
Pearland224Texas125,798126,086-0.08%2,61248.16
Topeka225Kansas125,353126,269-0.24%2,04061.44
Abilene226Texas125,302124,9540.09%1,175106.67
Simi Valley227California125,196126,366-0.31%3,01541.53
Thousand Oaks228California123,977126,652-0.71%2,24355.26
College Station229Texas123,238118,4411.33%2,40951.15
Vallejo230California123,001125,839-0.76%3,99030.82
Concord231California121,899125,176-0.88%3,98930.56
Rochester232Minnesota121,603121,3960.06%2,20355.20
Lakeland233Florida121,380112,5582.55%1,83566.14
Arvada234Colorado121,378124,478-0.84%3,13038.78
Lafayette235Louisiana121,322121,996-0.18%2,18655.50
Broken Arrow236Oklahoma121,083114,0242.02%1,96061.78
North Charleston237South Carolina120,949115,7711.47%1,56177.50
Wilmington238North Carolina120,695116,1461.29%2,34851.40
Independence239Missouri120,427122,927-0.68%1,54477.99
Hartford240Connecticut119,817120,957-0.32%6,89417.38
Ann Arbor241Michigan119,570122,531-0.81%4,28427.91
Fairfield242California119,461119,827-0.1%2,90041.19
Buckeye243Arizona119,43493,3148.57%304393.11
Billings244Montana118,288117,0260.36%2,65144.61
West Palm Beach245Florida117,500117,1790.09%2,18453.81
League City246Texas117,434114,6860.79%2,29151.26
Nampa247Idaho117,082101,1245%3,56732.82
Murrieta248California116,344111,3511.47%3,46133.61
Clearwater249Florida115,933117,046-0.32%4,44526.08
Cambridge250Massachusetts115,881117,699-0.52%18,1266.39
New Braunfels251Texas115,85191,3198.25%2,56445.19
Carlsbad252California115,761115,0730.2%3,06737.75
Manchester253New Hampshire115,678115,3540.09%3,49733.08
Las Cruces254New Mexico115,303111,7381.05%1,49976.93
West Jordan255Utah115,262117,186-0.55%3,56632.33
Evansville256Indiana114,957117,258-0.66%2,42947.32
High Point257North Carolina114,475113,8920.17%2,04555.98
Richmond258California114,450116,238-0.52%3,80830.05
Lewisville259Texas114,170112,3360.54%3,11136.70
Provo260Utah114,156114,0480.03%2,74041.67
Antioch261California113,884115,252-0.4%3,88029.35
Richardson262Texas113,613117,792-1.2%3,97728.57
Waterbury263Connecticut113,118114,159-0.3%3,96628.52
Menifee264California113,045103,2273.08%2,43346.47
Goodyear265Arizona112,98696,5345.39%591191.19
Pueblo266Colorado112,868112,1190.22%2,05454.96
Berkeley267California112,643119,463-1.94%10,75510.47
Elgin268Illinois112,504114,621-0.62%3,00037.50
Lansing269Michigan112,460112,796-0.1%2,87039.19
Temecula270California112,382110,0860.69%3,01637.27
Springfield271Illinois111,711114,245-0.74%1,83360.94
Concord272North Carolina111,659105,7691.82%1,75863.50
Lowell273Massachusetts111,496115,264-1.1%8,19413.61
Sparks274Nevada111,158109,1210.62%3,10335.82
Westminster275Colorado111,153116,304-1.5%3,51931.59
Everett276Washington110,576110,930-0.11%3,33133.20
Miami Gardens277Florida110,432111,085-0.2%6,05818.23
Spokane Valley278Washington110,291103,7782.05%2,92437.72
Pompano Beach279Florida110,122111,966-0.55%4,58524.02
Gresham280Oregon110,097114,637-1.34%4,71523.35
Tyler281Texas109,666105,9761.15%1,90957.45
Peoria282Illinois109,447112,792-1%2,28048
Allen283Texas109,411105,6281.18%4,14526.40
Santa Maria284California109,326109,904-0.18%4,79422.81
Beaumont285Texas109,264114,239-1.47%1,32782.33
Greeley286Colorado109,193109,388-0.06%2,23548.86
Rio Rancho287New Mexico109,060104,2571.51%1,055103.42
Ventura288California108,955110,413-0.44%4,97921.88
Costa Mesa289California108,829111,723-0.87%6,89015.79
St. George290Utah108,53595,9274.2%1,41276.89
Odessa291Texas107,891114,852-2.06%2,38645.22
Edinburg292Texas107,552100,0392.44%2,40444.73
Bend293Oregon107,30599,5332.54%3,24233.10
Downey294California106,859114,118-2.17%8,61212.41
Green Bay295Wisconsin106,817107,114-0.09%2,34945.48
Sugar Land296Texas106,622110,775-1.27%2,63440.48
Hillsboro297Oregon106,058106,922-0.27%4,12825.69
Dearborn298Michigan105,988109,657-1.13%4,37424.23
Fort Myers299Florida105,26086,3546.82%2,64239.84
Sandy Springs300Georgia105,223108,172-0.92%2,79437.65

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