Largest Cities in the US by Population

Here’s a look at the largest cities in the US by population. These cities make up the core of larger metropolitan areas. Their population density is defined as the number of people per square mile. The population density of these cities is based on the latest census data. You can use the map below to explore the population of a specific city in the US. You can also find more information about each city by following the link. The state capital cities are highlighted in bold.

The United States Census designates populated regions of the country as ‘incorporated places’, which includes towns, villages, and municipalities. As of 2015, there were over 300 incorporated places with populations greater than a hundred thousand. This is the highest number since 1912.

The Midwest and Northeast have the largest percentage of urban counties. In fact, four out of every ten of these counties saw a loss of population since 2000. In contrast, suburban and small metro counties grew with a net gain of 11.7 million new residents. The reasons for this growth include immigration and migration. Some cities lost population despite having a surplus of immigrants. Others have experienced a decline in population as a result of an aging population.

A major shift in the country’s population has occurred over the past few years. As the work-from-home culture became more prevalent, more professionals and retirees chose to move to smaller cities and suburbs. The resulting population loss was so dramatic that big coastal cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia saw significant declines in their populations. Despite this rapid decline in population, these cities are expected to rebound after the recession. With immigration from foreign countries, the growth of US cities is expected to continue in the future.