12 Most Populated Cities in the U.S. (2024 Update)

The United States has many great places to visit, including national monuments and amazing parks. Visiting the different cities can also be fun, as there are plenty of things to do and marvelous nightlife clubs and bars. If you are going to be traveling or moving soon, keep reading as we list the most populated cities in the country and tell you factoids about each one.

The 12 Most Populated Cities in the U.S.

1. New York City

New York City has the largest population of any city in the United States, with nearly 9 million people. It’s a historic city with many attractions, including the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. You can also watch a play on Broadway or try your hand at day trading on Wall Street.

2. Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, is the place to visit if you are interested in Hollywood, though it has several other attractions, including Sunset Boulevard and the Griffith Observatory. It is the second most populated city in America and provides visitors with plenty of sunny weather nearly all year long. The best time to visit is between May and October. Los Angeles is one of the slower-growing cities on this list, partly due to water shortages.

3. Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, is the third largest city on this list, and with a population of more than 2.75 million, it’s the most populous city in the Midwest. However, it’s also one of the slowest growing cities, with only a 0.37% population increase since 2020. Attractions include the amazing Chicago Observation Deck, Riverwalk, and Navy Pier.

4. Houston

Houston, Texas, is a large city with a population exceeding 2.34 million. It has a steady growth of 1.78% and offers visitors plenty to do. The Houston Space Center, NASA, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Downtown Aquarium are popular attractions, and you can expect warm weather all year long.

5. Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona, is another city with steady growth. It’s currently home to more than 1.64 million people, and the population is expected to grow by more than 2% yearly. It has many locales that attract people who like to spend time outdoors, including Camelback Mountain, the Desert Botanical Garden, and the Tovrea Castle. There is also plenty to do inside the city and many fine restaurants.

6. Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest cities in the country, with about a 1% growth since 2020. It’s the home of the Benjamin Franklin Museum, Independence Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which has fantastic artwork from around the world. This museum is also a location that many people will recognize as having the steps that Rocky Balboa climbs in the original “Rocky” movie, inspiring millions of others to do the same.

7. San Antonio

San Antonio is the second city on this list in Texas, with a population of more than 1.45 million people. It’s a destination that many people like to visit due to its rich history, great food, and pleasant nightlife. The Alamo, the San Fernando Cathedral, the Bracken Cave, and the San Antonio Riverwalk are popular attractions. Population growth is steady at 1.49%.

8. San Diego

San Diego, California, is a popular tourist destination, even if you are on a tight budget. The large city offers plenty of attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, and the Seaport Village, where many people like to shop. It has a population of a little over 1.45 million people, with a steady growth rate of 1.15%.

9. Dallas

Dallas is a large city in Texas with a rich history. It has a population of more than 1.3 million people. It’s a transportation hub, with four major highways converging in the city, and it’s also home to 11 Fortune 500 companies. Popular attractions include the Sixth Floor Museum and Texas Horse Park.

10. San Jose

San Jose is a large city in California with a population of a little over 1 million, with a steady growth rate of 1.33%. The most popular tourist destinations are the Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, among others.

11. Austin

Austin is the capital of Texas and the fourth city from Texas on this list. It’s also notable as the fastest growing, with a 3.57% population increase since 2020, which will likely put it over a million people in the next year or two. Attractions include the tallest capitol building in the United States, the Congress Bridge Bats, and Inner Space Caverns.

12. Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida, has a population of a little over 975,000, making it the 12^th largest city in America. Although the population is not as high as Austin, Texas, it’s expanding at a faster rate (2.69% since 2020) than many of the other cities on this list.

FAQ

Which Cities in the United States Are the Most Polluted?

Unfortunately, the top five polluted cities in the United States are all in California: Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno-Madera-Hanford, San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, and Los Angeles-Long. Other notable mentions include Medford-Grants Pass, Oregon, and Fairbanks, Alaska.

What State Has the Largest Population?

Currently, California is the state with the largest population: It has 39,937,489 people within its borders. Texas comes in second with 29.5 million people, followed by Florida, with 22 million people.

What State Has the Smallest Population?

The state with the smallest population is Wyoming, with only 567,025 people, followed by Vermont, with 628,061 people.

Conclusion

New York City is the most populated city in the United States, with close to 9 million people, and Los Angeles comes in second with nearly 4 million. Chicago comes in third with about 2.75 million, with the numbers getting much closer after that. Texas has the most cities on this list with four, followed by California with three.

See also:

• 10 Most Populated Cities in the World
• The 12 Most Polluted Cities in the World

Featured Image Credit: FrankWinkler, Pixabay