Census ACS 5-Year · 393 metros

Densest US Metros by Population per Square Mile

The densest US metros are anchored by historic urban cores tightly bounded by water or mountains. The New York metro is densest at roughly 2,800 people per square mile, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Northeast Corridor metros. Density at the metro level captures the full integrated economy including suburbs and exurbs, providing a truer picture of how urbanized a region actually is. Dense metros deliver more transit, more economic activity per acre, and lower per-capita driving, but also higher housing costs and longer-running fights over zoning and infill development.

Key Findings

1New York, NY-NJ leads with a people per square mile of 3218 / sq mi, followed by Los Angeles, CA (2681 / sq mi) and San Francisco, CA (1884 / sq mi).
2Flagstaff, AZ ranks last at 8 / sq mi, while New York, NY-NJ leads at 3218 / sq mi.
3The national median across all states is 190 / sq mi (Battle Creek, MI at the midpoint).
4The top 10 states are: New York, NY-NJ, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Trenton, NJ, Urban Honolulu, HI, New Haven, CT, San Juan, PR, Boston, MA-NH, Bridgeport, CT, Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD.

Full Ranking: Densest US Metros by Population per Square Mile

Source: Census ACS 5-Year Estimates

#	Metro	People / sq mi	Population	Home Value
1	Yuma, AZ	37.7	207,685	$195,700
2	Yuba City, CA	147.4	182,050	$390,800
3	Youngstown, OH	416.3	428,430	$134,600
4	York, PA	507.9	459,312	$235,000
5	Yakima, WA	59.8	256,605	$281,100
6	Worcester, MA	570.4	861,664	$390,700
7	Winston, NC	340.3	683,637	$213,300
8	Winchester, VA-WV	136.1	144,676	$322,600
9	Wilmington, NC	230.2	440,578	$328,000
10	Williamsport, PA	92.4	113,570	$195,600
11	Wildwood, FL	246.9	137,536	$356,000
12	Wichita, KS	156.4	648,935	$188,200
13	Wichita Falls, TX	56.9	148,978	$144,700
14	Wheeling, WV-OH	146.3	138,015	$149,300
15	Wenatchee, WA	26	123,251	$434,900
16	Weirton, WV-OH	199.3	115,566	$121,400
17	Wausau, WI	89.3	138,067	$205,500
18	Watertown, NY	91.6	116,130	$181,000
19	Waterloo, IA	111.9	168,163	$186,100
20	Waterbury, CT	1,095.7	452,303	$290,800
21	Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV	1,038.1	6,263,796	$553,000
22	Warner Robins, GA	370.7	195,171	$202,800
23	Walla Walla, WA	48.9	62,102	$375,600
24	Waco, TX	107.4	299,217	$209,600
25	Visalia, CA	98.6	475,774	$303,000
26	Virginia Beach, VA-NC	556.7	1,782,590	$318,000
27	Vineland, NJ	316.3	152,915	$205,600
28	Victoria, TX	56.7	98,377	$196,500
29	Vallejo, CA	548.6	450,824	$589,600
30	Valdosta, GA	92.8	149,139	$182,300
31	Utica, NY	110.4	289,577	$163,400
32	Urban Honolulu, HI	1,670.6	1,003,666	$873,000
33	Tyler, TX	258.3	238,014	$220,800
34	Twin Falls, ID	46.4	116,909	$284,200
35	Tuscaloosa, AL	78.8	275,217	$217,100
36	Tulsa, OK	163.7	1,026,209	$204,400
37	Tucson, AZ	114.3	1,049,947	$286,900
38	Trenton, NJ	1,707.4	383,286	$351,000
39	Traverse City, MI	91.5	154,657	$286,500
40	Topeka, KS	72	232,724	$172,200
41	Toledo, OH	442.6	602,977	$168,500
42	Texarkana, TX-AR	72	146,868	$150,800
43	Terre Haute, IN	115.2	168,850	$132,000
44	Tampa, FL	1,288	3,240,469	$306,100
45	Tallahassee, FL	162.5	388,298	$249,900
46	Syracuse, NY	275.5	657,128	$175,300
47	Sumter, SC	157.7	104,853	$159,500
48	Stockton, CA	565.6	787,416	$494,500
49	Staunton, VA	125.8	126,052	$264,400
50	State College, PA	142.7	158,041	$308,100
51	St. Louis, MO-IL	357.3	2,809,414	$232,100
52	St. Joseph, MO-KS	72.8	120,609	$162,100
53	St. George, UT	78.2	189,827	$465,600
54	St. Cloud, MN	114.7	200,816	$254,200
55	Springfield, OH	342.1	135,445	$155,900
56	Springfield, MO	160.2	481,671	$213,400
57	Springfield, MA	750.2	462,853	$276,300
58	Springfield, IL	175.4	207,386	$171,100
59	Spokane, WA	139.5	591,793	$365,700
60	Spartanburg, SC	276.2	365,086	$207,900
61	South Bend, IN-MI	342	324,180	$183,800
62	Slidell, LA	318.6	269,331	$272,200
63	Sioux Falls, SD-MN	95.9	293,107	$274,800
64	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	90.1	144,007	$179,100
65	Sierra Vista, AZ	20.2	125,458	$207,400
66	Shreveport, LA	149.9	389,004	$187,300
67	Sherman, TX	150.1	139,988	$228,300
68	Sheboygan, WI	230.3	117,783	$218,400
69	Sebring, FL	102	103,808	$177,900
70	Sebastian, FL	326	163,856	$314,700
71	Seattle, WA	685.1	4,021,467	$673,500
72	Scranton, PA	325.3	567,887	$176,500
73	Savannah, GA	305.5	412,089	$271,100
74	Santa Rosa, CA	308.3	485,642	$779,000
75	Santa Maria, CA	162.4	443,975	$735,700
76	Santa Fe, NM	81.2	155,175	$416,900
77	Santa Cruz, CA	597.7	266,021	$1.0M
78	Sandusky, OH	227.5	115,099	$189,400
79	San Luis Obispo, CA	85.3	281,486	$777,200
80	San Juan, PR	1,435	2,063,795	$138,700
81	San Jose, CA	734.9	1,969,353	$1.3M
82	San Francisco, CA	1,884.2	4,653,593	$1.1M
83	San Diego, CA	779.7	3,282,782	$791,600
84	San Antonio, TX	357.3	2,612,802	$258,700
85	San Angelo, TX	46.9	120,830	$186,300
86	Salt Lake City, UT	161.9	1,261,337	$478,200
87	Salisbury, MD	185.5	128,802	$228,300
88	Salinas, CA	132.8	435,834	$723,100
89	Salem, OR	226.4	435,085	$389,800
90	Saginaw, MI	236.3	189,210	$139,400
91	Sacramento, CA	472.5	2,406,563	$559,000
92	Rome, GA	194.2	98,985	$194,100
93	Rocky Mount, NC	137.9	144,228	$153,000
94	Rockford, IL	424	336,605	$162,600
95	Rochester, NY	361.7	1,058,875	$190,100
96	Rochester, MN	91.7	227,252	$284,600
97	Roanoke, VA	168.5	314,661	$236,300
98	Riverside, CA	170	4,637,725	$493,600
99	Richmond, VA	304.1	1,327,321	$325,800
100	Reno, NV	64.8	556,539	$474,000
101	Redding, CA	48.1	181,554	$347,200
102	Reading, PA	502.1	429,989	$239,700
103	Rapid City, SD	19.4	151,064	$274,200
104	Raleigh, NC	684.3	1,449,594	$381,000
105	Racine, WI	591.9	196,888	$239,400
106	Punta Gorda, FL	286.4	195,083	$291,000
107	Pueblo, CO	70.7	168,726	$271,800
108	Provo, UT	129	695,895	$487,200
109	Providence, RI-MA	1,054.7	1,673,807	$385,900
110	Prescott Valley, AZ	29.7	241,656	$392,900
111	Portland, OR-WA	375.4	2,510,529	$526,500
112	Portland, ME	268	557,764	$379,500
113	Port St. Lucie, FL	454.2	506,701	$325,300
114	Ponce, PR	748.9	273,739	$103,100
115	Pocatello, ID	79.5	88,457	$267,200
116	Pittsfield, MA	138.1	128,047	$283,800
117	Pittsburgh, PA	433.3	2,443,921	$204,500
118	Pinehurst, NC	147.4	102,840	$315,300
119	Phoenix, AZ	339.2	4,941,206	$401,400
120	Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD	1,356	6,241,882	$326,700
121	Peoria, IL	148.2	365,773	$160,500
122	Pensacola, FL	309.7	516,994	$260,500
123	Parkersburg, WV	148.5	88,960	$151,600
124	Panama City, FL	153.8	206,627	$263,500
125	Palm Bay, FL	611.4	620,533	$304,400
126	Paducah, KY-IL	83.3	102,924	$160,500
127	Oxnard, CA	455.4	838,259	$768,400
128	Owensboro, KY	158	112,322	$182,100
129	Oshkosh, WI	394.2	171,357	$208,600
130	Orlando, FL	779.2	2,721,022	$338,500
131	Omaha, NE-IA	223.9	972,840	$248,100
132	Olympia, WA	410.6	296,640	$451,500
133	Oklahoma City, OK	262.2	1,445,122	$214,700
134	Ogden, UT	417.8	645,510	$437,700
135	Odessa, TX	181.8	163,206	$190,500
136	Ocala, FL	244.1	387,697	$220,800
137	Norwich, CT	466.5	279,025	$293,900
138	North Port, FL	666	865,031	$367,700
139	Niles, MI	270.2	153,411	$211,400
140	New York, NY-NJ	3,217.9	19,756,722	$587,400
141	New Orleans, LA	419.2	988,763	$248,000
142	New Haven, CT	1,543.4	566,803	$328,300
143	Nashville, TN	324.3	2,043,713	$376,800
144	Naples, FL	194.1	387,681	$486,800
145	Napa, CA	181	136,070	$838,800
146	Myrtle Beach, SC	325.6	368,937	$260,500
147	Muskegon, MI	348	175,378	$180,900
148	Muncie, IN	285.9	112,109	$127,600
149	Mount Vernon, WA	75.4	130,407	$486,200
150	Morristown, TN	276.8	120,765	$198,000
151	Morgantown, WV	139.5	140,724	$226,800
152	Montgomery, AL	141.9	385,159	$181,400
153	Monroe, MI	282.1	155,001	$215,700
154	Monroe, LA	79.2	224,705	$163,000
155	Modesto, CA	369.1	552,250	$426,600
156	Mobile, AL	336.1	413,162	$176,600
157	Missoula, MT	32.6	124,435	$417,300
158	Minot, ND	16.1	76,773	$247,900
159	Minneapolis, MN-WI	524.1	3,693,351	$354,400
160	Milwaukee, WI	1,076.7	1,566,361	$283,800
161	Midland, TX	97.4	176,726	$290,300
162	Midland, MI	161.3	83,641	$184,300
163	Michigan City, IN	187.4	112,141	$180,700
164	Miami, FL	1,211.5	6,138,876	$405,600
165	Merced, CA	147.4	285,597	$368,400
166	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	269.8	1,341,606	$228,100
167	Medford, OR	80	222,563	$400,200
168	McAllen, TX	560.7	880,921	$124,000
169	Mayagüez, PR	682.1	211,487	$108,900
170	Mansfield, OH	252.7	125,138	$154,000
171	Mankato, MN	86.7	103,736	$255,000
172	Manhattan, KS	72.7	133,413	$212,600
173	Manchester, NH	484.6	424,732	$385,500
174	Madison, WI	206.7	683,967	$344,600
175	Macon, GA	135.8	234,040	$172,300
176	Lynchburg, VA	123.9	262,716	$224,600
177	Lubbock, TX	67.4	354,782	$188,700
178	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	343.8	1,361,847	$236,400
179	Los Angeles, CA	2,681.3	13,012,469	$825,300
180	Longview, WA	97.7	111,539	$367,400
181	Longview, TX	107.8	288,921	$178,200
182	Logan, UT-ID	83	151,746	$386,700
183	Little Rock, AR	184.5	753,605	$199,300
184	Lincoln, NE	242.2	341,309	$257,500
185	Lima, OH	252.6	101,685	$158,400
186	Lexington, KY	352	517,378	$258,900
187	Lexington Park, MD	364.1	208,163	$414,100
188	Lewiston, ME	240	112,323	$232,000
189	Lewiston, ID-WA	43.7	64,901	$289,400
190	Lebanon, PA	396.8	143,592	$227,300
191	Lawton, OK	74.7	127,174	$151,500
192	Lawrence, KS	262.3	119,547	$281,600
193	Las Vegas, NV	290.7	2,293,764	$400,800
194	Las Cruces, NM	58.2	221,665	$205,400
195	Laredo, TX	79.6	267,731	$178,900
196	Lansing, MI	276.9	470,434	$205,400
197	Lancaster, PA	588.1	555,151	$279,400
198	Lakeland, FL	423.2	760,961	$240,000
199	Lake Havasu City, AZ	16.3	217,420	$253,200
200	Lake Charles, LA	82	245,973	$198,900
201	Lafayette, LA	145	410,883	$206,900
202	Lafayette, IN	137	225,019	$204,300
203	La Crosse, WI-MN	94.7	169,945	$235,300
204	Kokomo, IN	285.3	83,610	$151,500
205	Knoxville, TN	262.7	919,553	$255,300
206	Kiryas Joel, NY	436	700,984	$364,400
207	Kingston, NY	162	182,109	$315,100
208	Kingsport, TN-VA	154	309,580	$182,500
209	Killeen, TX	172.4	485,850	$215,000
210	Kenosha, WI	619.5	168,413	$247,800
211	Kennewick, WA	104.7	307,900	$362,200
212	Kansas City, MO-KS	303.5	2,202,006	$265,400
213	Kankakee, IL	157.9	106,833	$185,700
214	Kalamazoo, MI	465.2	261,437	$227,500
215	Kahului, HI	140.3	164,675	$858,600
216	Joplin, MO-KS	109.3	202,258	$157,000
217	Jonesboro, AR	92	134,837	$181,200
218	Johnstown, PA	192.4	132,355	$115,900
219	Johnson City, TN	244.7	208,934	$199,100
220	Jefferson City, MO	66.8	150,147	$203,900
221	Janesville, WI	228.3	163,944	$215,900
222	Jacksonville, NC	273.6	208,537	$219,500
223	Jacksonville, FL	514	1,645,707	$308,900
224	Jackson, TN	105.7	180,844	$168,600
225	Jackson, MS	102.4	615,908	$188,500
226	Jackson, MI	228.2	160,187	$182,900
227	Ithaca, NY	216.7	102,879	$271,500
228	Iowa City, IA	150.1	177,420	$280,400
229	Indianapolis, IN	515.5	2,106,327	$244,000
230	Idaho Falls, ID	31.2	161,944	$325,000
231	Huntsville, AL	369.7	504,712	$265,000
232	Huntington, WV-KY-OH	127.9	372,801	$149,000
233	Houston, TX	823.1	7,274,714	$275,200
234	Houma, LA	88.8	204,032	$189,900
235	Hot Springs, AR	147.7	100,062	$176,400
236	Homosassa Springs, FL	272.7	158,693	$223,200
237	Hinesville, GA	92	84,338	$183,500
238	Hilton Head Island, SC	181	222,781	$393,100
239	Hickory, NC	223.8	366,972	$193,400
240	Helena, MT	14.6	92,391	$363,400
241	Hattiesburg, MS	96	154,567	$182,400
242	Hartford, CT	788.2	1,144,012	$309,300
243	Harrisonburg, VA	157.1	136,231	$284,800
244	Harrisburg, PA	368.7	597,894	$239,100
245	Hanford, CA	109.9	152,830	$305,700
246	Hammond, LA	170.9	135,218	$204,600
247	Hagerstown, MD-WV	296.2	298,525	$258,300
248	Gulfport, MS	188.8	418,452	$192,000
249	Guayama, PR	530.4	67,171	$97,900
250	Greenville, SC	348.9	945,301	$242,700
251	Greenville, NC	264.1	172,279	$194,300
252	Greensboro, NC	391.1	779,894	$207,600
253	Green Bay, WI	176.1	329,375	$238,700
254	Greeley, CO	85.5	340,711	$444,500
255	Great Falls, MT	31.4	84,601	$243,300
256	Grants Pass, OR	53.7	88,069	$383,100
257	Grand Rapids, MI	356	1,154,320	$261,600
258	Grand Junction, CO	47.3	157,316	$349,400
259	Grand Island, NE	47.8	76,619	$201,600
260	Grand Forks, ND-MN	30.4	103,669	$232,900
261	Goldsboro, NC	212.3	117,606	$162,700
262	Glens Falls, NY	74.4	126,443	$218,600
263	Gettysburg, PA	202.8	105,183	$256,100
264	Gainesville, GA	531	208,395	$313,600
265	Gainesville, FL	147	344,521	$245,800
266	Gadsden, AL	192.9	103,208	$160,600
267	Fresno, CA	144.6	1,170,942	$363,300
268	Fort Wayne, IN	331.7	451,440	$194,000
269	Fort Smith, AR-OK	127.2	228,916	$160,100
270	Fort Collins, CO	140.1	363,561	$532,200
271	Fond du Lac, WI	144.6	104,053	$209,800
272	Florence, SC	146.7	199,675	$158,800
273	Florence, AL	121.1	152,685	$175,800
274	Flint, MI	634.4	404,087	$172,900
275	Flagstaff, AZ	7.8	144,643	$413,200
276	Fayetteville, NC	373.9	389,851	$185,900
277	Fayetteville, AR	214.8	563,436	$273,400
278	Farmington, NM	22	121,178	$185,100
279	Fargo, ND-MN	90.7	254,914	$276,600
280	Fairbanks, AK	13	95,555	$282,500
281	Evansville, IN	262.5	269,721	$190,800
282	Eugene, OR	84	382,628	$395,800
283	Erie, PA	337.4	269,544	$169,500
284	Enid, OK	58.9	62,322	$149,800
285	Elmira, NY	203.3	82,805	$132,100
286	Elkhart, IN	446.6	206,868	$194,400
287	Elizabethtown, KY	142.9	126,480	$201,100
288	El Paso, TX	155.7	869,606	$167,000
289	El Centro, CA	42.9	179,319	$279,500
290	Eau Claire, WI	105	172,886	$240,700
291	Eagle Pass, TX	45.2	57,770	$151,500
292	Durham, NC	337.9	594,291	$359,400
293	Duluth, MN-WI	33.4	280,710	$208,900
294	Dubuque, IA	162.7	98,948	$226,100
295	Dover, DE	315.7	185,043	$290,600
296	Dothan, AL	88.5	151,804	$163,700
297	Detroit, MI	1,122.1	4,367,620	$237,100
298	Des Moines, IA	199.4	720,331	$252,400
299	Denver, CO	356.8	2,977,085	$570,300
300	Deltona, FL	434.7	689,939	$287,200
301	Decatur, IL	176.7	102,591	$121,800
302	Decatur, AL	123.5	156,924	$185,000
303	Dayton, OH	634.9	813,608	$186,200
304	Davenport, IA-IL	168.2	381,864	$170,000
305	Daphne, AL	150.9	239,945	$287,000
306	Dalton, GA	225.8	143,400	$190,800
307	Dallas, TX	899.9	7,807,555	$330,300
308	Crestview, FL	149.4	294,127	$333,800
309	Corvallis, OR	142.7	96,359	$481,700
310	Corpus Christi, TX	250.4	446,797	$195,400
311	Columbus, OH	448.5	2,151,847	$274,300
312	Columbus, IN	203.7	82,881	$221,100
313	Columbus, GA-AL	117.1	326,136	$184,900
314	Columbia, SC	226.8	839,868	$213,400
315	Columbia, MO	124.2	212,850	$242,500
316	Colorado Springs, CO	283.5	760,782	$431,600
317	College Station, TX	130.1	273,280	$261,900
318	Coeur d'Alene, ID	143.6	177,736	$467,400
319	Cleveland, TN	167	127,445	$218,500
320	Cleveland, OH	804	2,171,978	$201,000
321	Clarksville, TN-KY	152.3	328,626	$229,400
322	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	514.3	2,255,257	$240,200
323	Chico, CA	128	209,470	$408,700
324	Chicago, IL-IN	1,351.9	9,359,555	$301,900
325	Cheyenne, WY	37.5	100,661	$324,900
326	Chattanooga, TN-GA	272.1	569,333	$246,000
327	Charlottesville, VA	135.6	222,937	$397,600
328	Charlotte, NC-SC	484.7	2,712,818	$319,400
329	Charleston, WV	118.8	207,456	$128,900
330	Charleston, SC	315.7	817,756	$345,400
331	Champaign, IL	123	236,196	$194,400
332	Chambersburg, PA	202.8	156,626	$236,300
333	Cedar Rapids, IA	137.4	275,960	$202,100
334	Casper, WY	14.9	79,735	$260,400
335	Carson City, NV	403.8	58,364	$426,700
336	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	68.3	97,813	$195,200
337	Cape Coral, FL	1,014.8	792,692	$326,300
338	Canton, OH	413	400,495	$177,400
339	Burlington, VT	181.3	226,603	$370,400
340	Burlington, NC	411.6	174,286	$221,200
341	Buffalo, NY	742	1,161,385	$209,600
342	Brunswick, GA	88.4	114,345	$221,400
343	Brownsville, TX	474.6	423,192	$120,000
344	Bridgeport, CT	1,409.4	947,528	$530,800
345	Bremerton, WA	700	276,581	$505,700
346	Bozeman, MT	46.9	122,194	$604,900
347	Bowling Green, KY	113.5	183,194	$219,400
348	Boulder, CO	452	328,317	$713,900
349	Boston, MA-NH	1,410.6	4,917,661	$610,900
350	Boise City, ID	67.2	790,640	$434,400
351	Bloomington, IN	206.8	161,256	$242,800
352	Bloomington, IL	144.4	170,882	$198,300
353	Blacksburg, VA	124.9	181,605	$228,400
354	Bismarck, ND	31.4	134,286	$295,500
355	Birmingham, AL	223.8	1,181,432	$226,200
356	Binghamton, NY	200.8	245,844	$146,700
357	Billings, MT	28.9	187,269	$322,700
358	Bend, OR	32.6	253,650	$550,400
359	Bellingham, WA	108.4	228,432	$536,100
360	Beckley, WV	89.7	113,653	$123,400
361	Beaumont, TX	188.5	396,058	$164,300
362	Bay City, MI	233.3	103,235	$135,100
363	Battle Creek, MI	189.5	133,846	$151,500
364	Baton Rouge, LA	199.5	871,379	$232,300
365	Barnstable Town, MA	583.6	230,073	$575,900
366	Bangor, ME	45.2	153,571	$193,800
367	Baltimore, MD	1,091.5	2,839,409	$373,300
368	Bakersfield, CA	111.9	910,433	$310,600
369	Austin, TX	558.7	2,357,497	$434,800
370	Augusta, GA-SC	177.6	618,022	$207,300
371	Auburn, AL	161.7	196,614	$224,600
372	Atlantic City, NJ	458.4	369,940	$302,600
373	Atlanta, GA	703.1	6,176,937	$335,100
374	Athens, GA	212.9	218,190	$280,900
375	Asheville, NC	277.8	410,817	$338,400
376	Arecibo, PR	765.7	181,380	$111,700
377	Appleton, WI	255.5	244,163	$246,000
378	Anniston, AL	191.7	116,141	$149,500
379	Ann Arbor, MI	521.8	368,394	$353,000
380	Anchorage, AK	15.1	399,746	$358,900
381	Amherst Town, MA	297	156,595	$363,400
382	Ames, IA	109.6	125,261	$231,600
383	Amarillo, TX	52.5	270,207	$196,500
384	Altoona, PA	232.1	121,854	$156,700
385	Allentown, PA-NJ	596.5	866,764	$277,800
386	Alexandria, LA	76.5	150,593	$173,600
387	Albuquerque, NM	98.9	918,567	$263,500
388	Albany, OR	56.7	129,794	$344,600
389	Albany, NY	320.9	902,372	$268,400
390	Albany, GA	92.3	146,768	$148,800
391	Akron, OH	777.1	699,508	$199,000
392	Aguadilla, PR	849.8	252,430	$120,000
393	Abilene, TX	65	178,244	$172,800

Methodology

Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY-NJ has the highest people per square mile at 3218 / sq mi, according to latest Census ACS data. Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA round out the top three.

Flagstaff, AZ has the lowest people per square mile at 8 / sq mi. Fairbanks, AK is second-lowest at 13 / sq mi.

The median across all 393 states is 190 / sq mi. Note that the national median and the state-level median are calculated differently, the state median represents the midpoint when all states are ranked.

This data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates published by the US Census Bureau. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides the most comprehensive demographic data available between decennial censuses.

Rankings are based on the latest available Census ACS 5-Year estimates. The Census Bureau releases new ACS data annually. Our data was last updated on April 12, 2026.

Sources: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates