10 Most Densely Populated Cities In The US

This article will take a look at the 10 most densely populated cities in the US. You may also read 30 most densely populated cities in the US.

10. Los Angeles, California

Population density (per square mile): 8,304

Los Angeles, often referred to as LA, is the second-largest city in the United States, with a population of approximately 3.9 million residents. The Los Angeles metropolitan area, also known as the Greater Los Angeles Area, has a population exceeding 18.7 million people, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in the country.

9. Seattle, Washington

Population density (per square mile): 8,795

Seattle, located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, has a population of approximately 769,000 residents. The Seattle metropolitan area, which includes Seattle and neighboring cities in King County, has a population exceeding 3.9 million people.

8. Long Beach, California

Population density (per square mile): 9,123

Long Beach encompasses an area of approximately 51 square miles (132 square kilometers) and has a population of approximately 467,000 residents. The Long Beach-Los Angeles-Anaheim metropolitan statistical area, which includes Long Beach and neighbouring cities, has a population exceeding 13.2 million people.

7. Washington, D.C.

Population density (per square mile): 11,286

Washington, D.C., encompasses an area of approximately 68.3 square miles (177 square kilometers). The city is located along the Potomac River and is bordered by the states of Maryland and Virginia. It has a population of approximately 693,000 residents within the city’s boundaries. However, the population of the Washington metropolitan area, also known as the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia), exceeds 6.2 million people, making it the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Population density (per square mile): 11,933

Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, with a population of approximately 1.6 million residents within the area. The Philadelphia metropolitan area has a population exceeding 6.1 million people and it encompasses an area of approximately 142.7 square miles (369 square kilometres), which makes it one of the most densely populated cities in the US.

5. Chicago, Illinois

Population density (per square mile): 12,061

Chicago encompasses an area of approximately 234 square miles (606 square kilometers) along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and has a population of approximately 2.7 million residents. 

4. Miami, Florida

Population density (per square mile): 13,000.5

Miami, located on the southeastern coast of Florida, has a population of approximately 470,000 residents within its premises. The Miami metropolitan area, which includes Miami-Dade County and neighboring counties, has a population exceeding 6.1 million people. It encompasses an area of approximately 56 square miles (145 square kilometers).

3. Boston, Massachusetts

Population density (per square mile): 13,989

Boston, the capital city of Massachusetts, has a population of approximately 692,000 residents within the city limits and it encompasses an area of approximately 89 square miles (231 square kilometers) along the shores of Massachusetts Bay. The Boston metropolitan area, also known as Greater Boston, has a population exceeding 4.9 million people.

2. San Francisco, California

Population density (per square mile): 18,635

The San Francisco Bay Area includes San Francisco and neighboring cities in the Bay Area and has a population of approximately 883,000 residents. San Francisco encompasses an area of approximately 46.9 square miles (121 square kilometres), with a population density of 18,635 people per square mile, making it the second most densely populated city in the US.

1. New York City, New York

Population density (per square mile): 29,298

New York City, often referred to simply as NYC, is the largest city in the United States, with a population of approximately 8.8 million residents within the city’s five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island). The New York metropolitan area, also known as the Tri-State Area, has a population exceeding 19.2 million people, making it the largest metropolitan area in the country.

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