Discover the Most populous cities in the USA with our list of the Top 10 largest US cities by population. Explore Largest cities in the US ranked and insights into the Biggest American cities by population, providing valuable information on US cities by population ranking distribution and city sizes.
Population and development often are interrelated, and some of the largest and most developed cities in the United States are also highly populated. The Largest Cities of the USA population is spread throughout its largest metropolitan and suburban areas. New York City is the largest city in the United States in terms of population, having a total size of 8,335,897 people distributed over 300.46 square miles.
Top 10 Largest Cities in the United States by Population
In this article, we are going to discuss the ranked list of the largest cities of the United States in 2023 by population, along with some facts and data on the Largest metropolitan areas in the US.
Top 10 Largest US Cities by Population
In this section, you will get to know about some Top 10 populous cities in the US. The ranking is done per the population figure declared in the 2020 census. The top 10 largest cities in the United States by population are tabulated below:
|
Top 10 Populous Cities in the US |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Largest cities in the US ranked |
City |
Population of Major US Cities |
| 1 | New York City | 8,804,190 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 3,971,883 |
| 3 | Chicago | 2,720,546 |
| 4 | Houston | 2,296,224 |
| 5 | Phoenix | 1,563,025 |
| 6 | Philadelphia | 1,567,442 |
| 7 | San Antonio | 1,469,845 |
| 8 | San Diego | 1,394,928 |
| 9 | Dallas | 1,300,092 |
| 10 | San Jose | 1,026,908 |
Most Populous Cities in the USA
- The United States has a population of over 300 million people.
- It has many large cities with dense populations.
- The largest city in the US is New York City, with over 8.5 million residents. It is followed by Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix, which form the top five largest cities in the United States by population.
- The census conducted in the United States has identified some populated regions of the country and designated them as ‘incorporated places’, including cities, towns, villages, and municipalities.
- The size of a city’s population is undoubtedly an important indicator of its economic strength and growth. But other factors may also decide how favourable the living conditions of these cities are for potential residents.
Also Check: World Population Report 2023
Top US Cities by Size – Key Statistics and Facts
We are going to discuss the top 10 largest cities in the United States by the size of their population, their key facts and statistics in some detail.
1. New York City
New York City is the most populated city in the US and one of the most populated cities in the world. As per the 2020 census, the population of NYC was 8,804,190.
- New York City is a city recognized worldwide for contributing to education, media, politics, business, entertainment, and fashion.
- It is one of the leading cities for commercial and financial activities.
- It is considered the cultural and economic heart of the country and described as the ‘capital city of the modern world’ or ‘the big apple’.
- The core of this city is Manhattan which boasts the presence of the famous Wall Street stock exchange and the headquarters of the United Nations.
At a Glance:
Population: 8.8 million
Population change since 2020: 3.8%
Median household income: $67,046
Median Age: 37 years
Prominent landmarks: Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty
2. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the second most populated city in the United States. It is the largest urban area in California.
- Los Angeles has a population of about 4 million inhabitants, as per the 2020 census.
- The majority of US movie studios are headquartered in Los Angeles.
- The city is home to the famous Hollywood, Disneyland, and the Dolby Theatre, which hosts the Oscar awards.
At a Glance:
Population: 3.9 million
Population change since 2020: -1%
Median household income: $65,290
Median Age: 36 years
Prominent landmarks: Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Sunset Boulevard
3. Chicago
Chicago is the third most populated city in the USA. It is the largest city in Illinois.
- The population of Chicago is 2.75 million, as per the 2020 census.
- Chicago is a leading transportation and telecommunications hub in the US and a renowned centre for business and finance.
- It is listed as one of the world’s top ten global financial centres and is considered to be a prominent contributor to the global economic system.
- The city bears the nickname ‘the windy city and is home to enriched music culture, significant architecture, and world-class museums.
At a Glance:
Population: 2.7 million
Population change since 2020: -1.8 %
Median household income: $62,097
Median Age: 35 years
Prominent landmarks: Millennium Park, Willis Tower, Navy Pier
4. Houston
Texas is the fourth-largest city in the United States in terms of population. Houston is one of the busiest seaports in the United States and the largest city in Texas.
- As per the 2020 census, the population of Houston was 2,304 580.
- The city has gained global status due to its international connections for exports.
- Houston is famous for the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions.
- NASA’s Johnson Space Center is also situated in this location.
At a Glance:
Population: 2.3 million
Population change since 2020: -0.6 %
Median household income: $53,600
Median Age: 33 years
Prominent landmarks: Space Center, Hermann Park
5. Phoenix
Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States in terms of population.
- Phoenix is located in the Salt River valley in central Arizona in the northern part of the Sonoran Desert.
- It has been the capital of Arizona since 1889 and the fifth most populous city in the US, per the 2020 census.
- The population was measured as 1.6 million.
- Phoenix has a large number of landmarks and tourist attraction spots, including mountain and desert parks. It has some of the most famous museums in the US.
At a Glance:
Population: 1.6 million
Population change since 2020: +1 %
Median household income: $60,914
Median Age: 34 years
Prominent landmarks: Desert Botanical Garden, South Mountain Park
6. Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the sixth-largest city in the United States by population.
- Philadelphia has been the capital of Pennsylvania since 1682.
- It has become one of the most important centres of industrial activities, with a population of 1.6 million.
- The city is famous for its connection with American independence, as it is the home of The Independence Hall, where the United States declaration of independence and the constitution were adopted.
At a Glance:
Population: 1.6 million
Population change since 2020: -2 %
Median household income: $49,127
Median Age: 34 years
Prominent landmarks: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Museum of Art
7. San Antonio
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States by population.
- It is the second-largest city in Texas
- The 2020 census declared the population of San Antonio as 1,434,625. The city is a popular tourist destination due to several natural and historical landmarks.
At a Glance:
Population: 1.4 million
Population change since 2020: +1.2 %
Median household income:$53,420
Median Age: 34 years
Prominent landmarks: San Antonio River Walk, National Historical Park
8. San Diego
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States by population.
- It is a famous seaport in southern California with a population of 1,386,932, per the census conducted in 2020.
- San Diego is a major technology and defence centre.
At a Glance:
Population: 1.39 million
Population change since 2020: -0.3 %
Median household income: $83,454
Median Age: 35 years
Prominent landmarks: San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum
9. Dallas
Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the United States by population.
- It is the third largest city in Texas and is an important hub of education and research for much of the South Central United States.
- The city has a population of about 1.3 million inhabitants.
- The city is also a major destination for Mexican immigrants.
- The city’s activities are centred on banking, commerce, telecommunications, and computers.
- Dallas is a renowned education centre with several institutes providing high-class education facilities.
At a Glance:
Population: 1.3 million
Population change since 2020: -1.2 %
Median household income: $54,747
Median Age: 33 years
Prominent landmarks: Klyde Warren Park, The Dallas World Aquarium
10. San Jose
San Jose is the tenth-most populated city in the US. It is the third largest city in California.
- The city has become a centre for industrialization, especially in agricultural mechanization and food processing.
- The city has a little more than 1 million inhabitants.
- San Jose is designated as the ‘Capital of Silicon Valley.
- It is the home of many world-famous brand names in high-tech innovation, like Apple, Adobe, Google, etc.
At a Glance:
Population: 1 million
Population change since 2020: -3 %
Median household income: $117,747
Median Age: 33 years
Prominent landmarks: San José Museum of Art, Computer History Museum
What are the Ten Largest Cities in the US by Land Area?
The top 10 largest cities in the US by land area are:
|
S.No |
City |
State |
Land Area (Square Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Sitka | Alaska | 2,870.3 |
|
2 |
Wrangell | Alaska | 2,541.5 |
|
3 |
Juneau | Alaska | 2,701.9 |
|
4 |
Anchorage | Alaska | 1,704.7 |
|
5 |
Jacksonville | Florida | 747.0 |
|
6 |
Anaconda | Montana | 735.6 |
|
7 |
Butte | Montana | 716.2 |
|
8 |
Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 607.0 |
|
9 |
Houston | Texas | 599.6 |
|
10 |
Phoenix | Arizona | 517.6 |
Most Populated Cities of the US – Key Insights
- New York is the most populated city in the United States.
- The top 10 cities of the United States have a population of more than 1 million, with the top three accounting for around 60% of the population.
- Three cities in California have made it to the top ten populated cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose.
- Three cities in Texas- Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio are among the top ten populated cities.
- The tenth most populated city San Jose has the highest median household income, whereas the sixth most populated city Philadelphia has the lowest median household income.
Also Check: Top 10 Largest Cities in the World
Conclusion – Biggest American Cities by Population
In general terms, population contributes to cities’ economic development and growth. The major American cities population ranking have seen steady population growth for decades. This article discussed the ranked list of the largest cities of the United States in 2023 by population, along with some facts and data on the most populated cities of USA.
Also Check:
US Cities by Population Ranking – FAQs
Which city is currently the largest in the United States by population?
New York City holds the title as the most populous city in the United States.
How are cities in the US ranked by population?
Cities are ranked based on the total number of residents as reported by the latest U.S. Census data and population estimates.
What are the top 5 largest cities in the US by population as of the latest ranking?
The top 5, starting with the largest, are New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix.
Have there been any recent changes in the rankings of the largest US cities?
Population growth in cities like Phoenix and Houston has led to changes in their rankings, with Phoenix rising in the list.
Which US city has seen the most significant growth in population in recent years?
Austin, Texas, is among the cities that have seen significant population growth due to its booming tech industry and quality of life.
How does the population of the largest US city compare to other major cities worldwide?
While New York City is the largest in the United States, it ranks behind several global megacities like Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai in terms of population.
What factors contribute to the population growth of these large US cities?
Factors include economic opportunities, cultural attractions, educational institutions, and immigration.
Are there any cities that have moved into or out of the top 10 largest cities by population recently?
Cities like San Jose and Austin have seen population booms that threaten to push them into the top 10, displacing older industrial cities.
How do population densities compare among the top 10 largest US cities?
Population density varies widely, with New York City being the most densely populated and cities like Houston and Phoenix having lower density due to their larger land areas.
Where can I find the most current population data for US cities?
The U.S. Census Bureau’s website provides the most current population estimates and data for all US cities.
What is the 10th largest city in the world by population?
Mumbai, India is the 10th largest city in the world by population. Mumbai is one of the most populous urban regions in the world and the largest city in India by population.
How many people live in Chicago, the third-largest city in the US?
Chicago, Illinois, the third-largest city in the United States, has a population of approximately 2.7 million people.
Which is the largest city in the world by population in 2023?
As per the new data unveiled by the United Nation in April, 2023, India is the largest city in the world by population now, with more than 142.86 crore population. India has surpassed China, whose population stands at 142.57 crores.