50 Cities With The Largest Population In The US
In this article, we list and discuss the 50 Cities With The Largest Population In The US. If you would like to skip our detailed discussion of the population change and growth trends in the States, you can go directly to 10 Cities With The Largest Population In The US.
The United States of America is a nation characterized by its vastness in terms of land, diversity, and population. With a total land area of over 3 million square miles, 50 states, and 19,495 incorporated cities, towns, and villages, the US is the fifth largest nation in terms of area worldwide. If we look at the population, according to Census Data, the country is home to a diverse population of 331,449,281 people.
While the largest city in the US by area is Juneau, Alaska, the city only houses a population of 31,685. On the other hand, the largest city by population houses over eight million people, and is significantly smaller than Juneau in terms of land area. In other words, similar to the rest of the world, the population distribution in the US is not even.
The Census Bureau projects that in the next 57 years, by 2080, the nation’s population is expected to increase by another 35 million and reach the figure of 370 million. However, by 2100, the United States will see a rapid population decline, losing 10 million people within twenty years. Note that mortality rates are not the only factor that affects the population of a place — in the case of the States, the population trends will be greatly influenced in the coming years by the nation’s decreased fertility rates, aging population, and growing international migration trends.
Although already uneven, the population distribution within the US is expected to change even more in the coming years. Forecasts suggest that the suburban and rural areas will see a rise in population, while the urban centers will see a notable decline. Mostly, this is because of the US’s aging population, and economic factors like inflation.
Given this factor, while the overall US population is expected to decline by the end of this century, there will be significant population distribution shifts as well. Some US cities will experience significant population growth, while others will see a sharp decline. As of 2024, the US cities with the largest population decline include Paradise, Nevada, and Jackson, Mississippi. (See also: 15 Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100) On the other hand, according to the most recent Census data, the cities with the largest population growth include Dallas and other Texas cities.
Some global key players also happen to have a significant presence in the largest cities in the US. For example, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). However, with the population distribution changes and overall population decline in the country, all companies may experience an eventual decline in the workforce. However, leading companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple have already started investing in innovation and technology, especially AI, so they may not be as significantly impacted by the future decline in population as one would think.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has made some notable investments in innovation and technology projects, such as Artificial Intelligence, to yield more efficiency and productivity. Last year in 2023, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) invested $13 billion in OpenAI, integrating AI technology into its Bing search engine, GitHub coding tools, Azure Cloud, sales and marketing software, and more.
Similarly, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), a world leader in the smartphone industry, is also investing hugely in generative AI technology, Tim Cook, the CEO, said in the annual shareholder meeting. He further stated in the virtual meeting that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will break new grounds with generative AI and assist in productivity, problem-solving, and more.
On the other hand, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has established a $1 billion venture investment program, supporting emerging technology companies with direct investments. As the company prioritizes productivity, it has made close to a dozen investments in companies with promising automating products, such as Rightbot.
Overall, today, the presence of giant companies in the major cities in the US contributes to the economic growth and development of the cities and the country at large. Below, we discuss the cities with the largest population in the US as of 2024.
50 Cities With The Largest Population In The US
Our Methodology
For our list of the largest U.S. cities by population, we have sourced data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, and World Population Review (for Nashville city estimates only). Note that based on the most recent available data provided by the Census, our list is based on the 2022 estimates. For city-specific information mentioned in our list, we have sourced data from the US Census Bureau Quick Facts table. The list is in descending order, going from the 50th most populous US city to the 1st most populated one.
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50 Cities With The Largest Population In The US
50. Wichita, Kansas
Population Estimates (2022): 396,192
Located in south-central Kansas, Wichita is a vibrant and diverse city with a population density of 2,454 per square mile. The city offers great work opportunities, with a median household income of $60,712 and a per capita income of $34,393.
49. Tampa, Florida
Population Estimates (2022): 398,173
Ranked 49th, Tampa is situated along Florida’s Gulf Coast and is a major business-centric city in the US with a per capita income of $45,586. As of the most recent available data from the Census Bureau, Tampa has a population density of 3,376 per square mile.
48. Bakersfield, California
Population Estimates (2022): 410,647
With a land area of 149.78 square miles, Bakersfield is a city in California with several industrial factories, including some natural gas, mining, petroleum refining, distribution, and food processing companies. The city has a high population density of 2,693.7 people per square mile.
47. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Population Estimates (2022): 411,867
Known as one of the most dangerous cities in the US, Tulsa is situated on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma state. It covers 197.53 square miles of land and has a population density of 2,091.1 people per square mile.
46. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Population Estimates (2022): 425,096
Home to several parks, lakes, and cultural landmarks, Minneapolis is a major city in the state of Minnesota. Ranked 44th among the most populated US cities, Minneapolis is a city with a population density of 7,962.1 people per square mile.
45. Oakland, California
Population Estimates (2022): 430,553
With a population density of 7,878.4 people per square mile, Oakland is one of the most densely populated cities in the United States. The city is known for stunning bay views, open spaces, and a pleasant Mediterranean climate.
44. Miami, Florida
Population Estimates (2022): 449,514
Miami is a coastal metropolis city with a population density of 12,285.8 people per square mile. While Miami has a per capita income of $39,055, 20% of its residents live in poverty.
43. Long Beach, California
Population Estimates (2022): 451,307
Located in Southern California, Long Beach is a large coastal city covering a total land area of 50.71 square miles. The city is known for its waterfront attractions, including the popular permanently docked RMS Queen Mary ship and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
42. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Population Estimates (2022): 455,618
Virginia Beach is a coastal and largest city in Virginia and is located at the Chesapeake Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. It has a prosperous economy with a per capita income of $45,320 and a poverty rate of 8%.
41. Raleigh, North Carolina
Population Estimates (2022): 476,587
Home to several renowned universities like North Carolina State University, Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina, with several technology and scholarly institutions. As of the most recent available data, Raleigh has a population density of 3,178.9 people per square mile.
40. Omaha, Nebraska
Population Estimates (2022): 485,153
Ranked 40th, Omaha in Nebraska is home to some Fortune 500 companies, including Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, Peter Kiewit, and Union Pacific. Being a financial services, logistics, and IT hub, Omaha has a healthy economy with a median household income of $70,202.
39. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Population Estimates (2022): 486,248
Colorado Springs is a mountainous city in Colorado state with a population density of 2,451.2 people per square mile. As of the recent available data, Colorado Springs experienced a population growth of 1.5% from April 2020 to July 2022.
38. Atlanta, Georgia
Population Estimates (2022): 499,127
Located among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Atlanta is the capital of Georgia with a per capita income of $60,778. In terms of employment, it is one of the strongest economies in the country.
37. Kansas City, Missouri
Population Estimates (2022): 509,297
Kansas City is best known for its barbecue, jazz heritage, and fountains, and is the 37th most populous city in the US according to the Census data. With a population density of 1,614.5 people per square mile and a total land area of 314.70 square miles, Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri.
36. Mesa City, Arizona
Population Estimates (2022): 512,498
Mesa, Arizona, is home to the largest community college in the United States. Apart from attracting multiple educational institutions from around the country, Mesa also offers a thriving cultural economy with multiple museums and the Mesa Arts Center. It has a median household income of $73,766.
35. Sacramento, California
Population Estimates (2022): 528,001
Next on the list, Sacramento is the capital city of California and is full of scenic locations such as the California State Capitol building, Old Sacramento, and Southside Park. Sacramento has a predominantly white population, with 39.3% of the residents being white alone.
34. Fresno, California
Population Estimates (2022): 545,567
While covering a land area of 115.18 square miles and a population density per square mile of 4,706.8 people, Fresno is one of the major cities in the San Joaquin Valley of California. As of 2022 (the most recent data available), Fresno has 19.0% of the foreign-born population.
33. Tucson, Arizona
Population Estimates (2022): 546,574
Tucson is a mid-sized city in the state of Arizona, with a population density of 2,251.6 people per square mile. Owing to its healthy economy, good healthcare, and high livability scores, Tucson has also been ranked among the top 5 US cities to retire on $5000 a month.
32. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Population Estimates (2022): 561,008
Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, has a land area of 187.27 square miles and a population density of 3,014.7 per square mile. It’s a diverse city with 10.2% of the foreign-born population.
31. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Population Estimates (2022): 563,305
Known for its breweries and baseball, Milwaukee is the biggest and most populous city in Wisconsin, having a population density of 6,001.2 per square mile. Its population experienced a decline of 2.4% from April 2020 to July 2022.
30. Baltimore, Maryland
Population Estimates (2022): 569,931
Known for its historical seaport, Baltimore is a major city in Maryland, covering a land area of 80.95 square miles. 19.6% of the population of this city is living in poverty according to the U.S Census Bureau.
29. Detroit, Michigan
Population Estimates (2022): 620,376
Entering the top 30 cities with the largest population in the US, we have Detroit — the unhappiest city in America and the 29th most populated one, too. Detroit is also the largest city in Michigan, and according to the 2020 estimates, it has a population density of 4,606.8 people per square mile.
28. Memphis, Tennessee
Population Estimates (2022): 621,056
Ranked 28th on the list of cities with the largest population in the US, Memphis is Tennessee’s most populated city and has higher crime rates than the national average. Memphis is also one of America’s unhappiest cities.
27. Louisville, Kentucky
Population Estimates (2022): 624,444
Best known for the Kentucky Derby, a renowned horse race, Louisville has a population density of 4,606.8 people per square mile, according to the most recent available data. Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city.
26. Portland, Oregon
Population Estimates (2022): 635,067
Situated on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, Portland is the largest city in Oregon with a healthy per capita income of $52,577.
25. Boston, Massachusetts
Population Estimates (2022): 650,706
The 25th most populous city in the United States, Boston is the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts. According to the Census Bureau’s most recent available data, Boston has a population density of 13,976.7 people per square mile.
24. Las Vegas, Nevada
Population Estimates (2022): 656,274
Known for its nightlife, Las Vegas is the most populous city in the state of Nevada and one of the largest cities by population in the US. As per the most recent available data, the median household income is $66,356 in Las Vegas.
23. Washington, District of Columbia
Population Estimates (2022): 671,803
Washington, D.C., is the capital city of the United States, with a high population density of 11,280.7 people per square mile.
22. El Paso, Texas
Population Estimates (2022): 677,456
The 22nd largest city by population in the country, El Paso has a population density of 2,626.9 people per square mile on a land area of 258.41 square miles.
21. Nashville, Tennessee
Population Estimates (2022): 677,519
Located in Davidson County, Nashville, the capital city of Tennessee, and is home to the Grand Ole Opry — America's longest-running radio show.
20. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Population Estimates (2022): 694,800
With a land area of 606.20 square miles, Oklahoma City is the eighth-largest city by area in the United States and the 20th-largest city by population.
19. Denver, Colorado
Population Estimates (2022): 713,252
Denver, the capital of Colorado, has a population density of 4,674.3 people per square mile. Despite having one of the largest populations in the country, Denver is the fifth cleanest city in the US.
18. Seattle, Washington
Population Estimates (2022): 749,256
Seattle is Washington’s largest state and is home to the futuristic Space Needle landmark, and a large tech industry. The e-commerce giant, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) is also based in Seattle and is the biggest private employer in the city.
17. San Francisco, California
Population Estimates (2022): 808,437
Next on the list, San Francisco is the commercial and financial hub of California, with a median household income of $136,689. It has a population density of 18,629.1 people per square mile.
16. Indianapolis, Indiana
Population Estimates (2022): 880,621
With a population density of 2,454.5 people per square mile, Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, is the sixteenth most populated city in the US. It ranked #1 on our list of cities with the highest quality of life in the US.
15. Charlotte, North Carolina
Population Estimates (2022): 897,720
Covering a land area of 308.29 square miles, Charlotte is a major city in North Carolina and a commercial hub with a per capita income of $47,476.
14. Columbus, Ohio
Population Estimates (2022): 907,971
Ranked 14th, Columbus City has a population density of 4,116.3 people per square mile. It also has a high poverty rate of 18.1%, according to the Census data.
13. Fort Worth, Texas
Population Estimates (2022): 956,709
Fort Worth is a modern city in Texas with a population growth rate of 4.1%, according to the Census’s 2022 data. The city offers a median household income of $72,726.
12. San Jose, California
Population Estimates (2022): 971,233
San Jose is a beautiful city in California surrounded by rolling hills in Silicon Valley. The median household income in San Jose stood at $136,010 as of 2022 data.
11. Jacksonville, Florida
Population Estimates (2022): 971,319
Ranked 11th, Jacksonville is the most populous city in the state of Florida. The city has a poverty rate of 14.8%, and it is one of the top 5 poorest cities in the US that are growing fast.
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Disclosure: None. 50 Cities With The Largest Population In The US is originally published on Insider Monkey.