RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 6,059
Largest by population, US cities · 1990
The most populous US cities as of the 1990 population estimates. New York, New York leads at 7,322,564. 6,059 cities qualify in total. Cities with fewer than 5,000 residents are excluded. Texas carries 5 of the top 25 entries.
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RANKPLACESTATETOTAL POPULATIONVS –
USUnited States248,709,873–
UPDATED 2026-07-15 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS
Frequently asked
Which city has the highest total population?
New York, New York ranks #1 with 7,322,564 (1990 Decennial Census).
What are the top 5 cities by total population?
New York, New York, Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Illinois, Houston, Texas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
How many cities are in this ranking?
6,059 cities qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability (minimum 5,000 residents). The ranking covers 1990 Decennial Census data.
How is total population measured?
Total resident population. Source: US Census Bureau, 1990 Decennial Census.