Largest cities in the US 2024
The U.S. Census Bureau’s population trends show that the South and West are the two regions of the U.S. that have experienced growth since 2020. Unsurprisingly, cities in these two regions are generally growing at faster rates than cities in the Northeast and Midwest. Both domestic and international migration have contributed to these trends. Some cities have experienced population growth above 10% since 2020, and many continue to see people migrating from other states. And while the moving services industry market has seen some declines in recent years, such services will be needed as long as people continue to relocate. If you are moving to a new city or region of the country, using a moving company can make the process easier.
New York City is by far the largest city in the U.S. With more than 8 million people, New York City’s population is more than double that of the next largest U.S. city, Los Angeles.
Jump to insightFive of the largest 10 cities in the U.S. have lost population since 2020 — New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas. San Antonio and Phoenix are the fastest-growing cities among this group.
Jump to insightBetween them, California and Texas are home to nearly 30% of the 150 largest cities in the U.S.
Jump to insightOf the 20 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. since 2020, eight are located in either Florida or Texas. Nearly all the U.S. cities growing the fastest are in the South or the West of the nation.
Jump to insightTop 10 largest U.S. cities by population
Texas is home to three of the top 10 largest U.S. cities by population, while California is home to two. In total, these 10 cities have actually lost population since 2020.
New York City
Although New York City’s population has decreased by nearly 5% since 2020, it remains the largest U.S. city by population. New York City is more than double the size of any other city in the U.S.
- Total population (2022): 8,335,798
- Population change since 2020: -4.6%
Los Angeles
The largest city in the most populous state in the U.S., Los Angeles is home to nearly 4 million residents. It is one of the five cities on this list where the population has decreased since 2020.
- Total population (2022): 3,822,782
- Population change since 2020: -1.9%
Chicago
Although it is sometimes referred to as the “Second City,” Chicago is actually the third-largest city in the U.S. by population. Like the two cities preceding it on this list, Chicago’s population has declined since 2020.
- Total population (2022): 2,672,660
- Population change since 2020: -2.6%
Houston
Houston is one of four cities in the U.S. with a population above 2 million. Population growth has been essentially flat in Texas’ largest city since 2020.
- Total population (2022): 2,302,488
- Population change since 2020: 0.1%
Phoenix
Phoenix is the second-fastest growing city among those listed here. It is the only city on this list located in a state that is not among the 10 most populous in the country.
- Total population (2022): 1,643,899
- Population change since 2020: 1.9%
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is one of six U.S. cities with a population above 1.5 million. The city has lost just over 2% of its population since 2020.
- Total population (2022): 1,566,836
- Population change since 2020: -2.1%
San Antonio
The fastest-growing city in this top 10, San Antonio has added nearly 35,000 residents since 2020. It is also the southernmost city on this list.
- Total population (2022): 1,473,325
- Population change since 2020: 2.4%
San Diego
Just over 120 miles away from Los Angeles, San Diego is the second California city in the top 10. It is the only city on this list with a median income above $100,000.
- Total population (2022): 1,387,378
- Population change since 2020: 0.1%
Dallas
Dallas is one of nine cities in the U.S. with a population above 1 million. Notably, the nearby city of Fort Worth, located about 30 miles west of Dallas, is the 12th most populous city in the U.S.
- Total population (2022): 1,297,358
- Population change since 2020: -0.4%
Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a relatively new addition to the 10 most populous cities in the U.S. The city’s population has increased by slightly over 2% since 2020, taking it past Austin, TX, and San Jose, CA.
- Total population (2022): 971,777
- Population change since 2020: 2.1%
150 largest U.S. cities by population
California is home to 26 of the largest 150 cities in the U.S., more than any other state. Texas is also well-represented on this list, with 18 of the most populated cities in the U.S. located within its borders.
Which U.S. cities are growing the fastest?
The fastest-growing cities in the U.S. are generally located in the southern and western regions of the country. Of the 20 cities that saw the highest percentage growth since 2020, nearly half are located in Florida and Texas. Florida is home to the only two cities, Port St. Lucie and Cape Coral, with growth rates above 10% during that time period. Nevada, North Carolina and Tennessee also have multiple entries on this list.
FAQ
What is the biggest city in the U.S. by area?
The largest city in the U.S. by area is Sitka, Alaska, which encompasses just over 2,870 square miles. In 2023, Sitka’s population was estimated at 8,282.
What is the largest city on Earth?
Tokyo is the largest city in the world by population, with over 37 million residents.
What is the smallest city in the U.S. by size?
The smallest incorporated place recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau is Monowi, Nebraska, which has a population of one.
References
- “Growth in U.S. Population Shows Early Indication of Recovery Amid COVID-19 Pandemic.” U.S. Census Bureau. Evaluated June 19, 2024.Link Here
- “U.S. Population Trends Return to Pre-Pandemic Norms as More States Gain Population.” U.S. Census Bureau. Evaluated June 19, 2024.Link Here
- ”Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 20,000 or more, Ranked by July 1, 2023 Population.” U.S. Census Bureau. Evaluated June 20, 2024.Link Here
- “National Places Gazetteer Files.” U.S. Census Bureau. Evaluated June 19, 2024.Link Here
- “The World Factbook. Major urban areas - population.” Central Intelligence Agency. Evaluated June 19, 2024.Link Here
- “City and Town Population Totals - Incorporated Places: 2020 to 2022 (Nebraska).” U.S. Census Bureau. Evaluated June 19, 2024.Link Here
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