Which metro area has the highest population density?

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ranks #1 with 2,739 (1990 Decennial Census).

What are the top 5 metro areas by population density?

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Trenton-Princeton, NJ, Honolulu, HI.

How many metro areas are in this ranking?

918 metro areas qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability. The ranking covers 1990 Decennial Census data.

How is population density measured?

Residents per square mile of land area. Source: US Census Bureau, 1990 Decennial Census.

RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 418 SHOWN OF 918

Most densely populated, US metro areas · 1990

US metro areas ranked by residents per square mile (1990).

Flip the list · Most sparsely populated, US metro areas →

All statesAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCities Counties States

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS –

501Athens, TXTX88,59567–

502Moultrie, GAGA47,43867–

503Marshalltown, IAIA39,89067–

504Newport, TNTN37,88967–

505Bakersfield, CACA927,06867–

506Rutland, VTVT59,65367–

507Meridian, MSMS85,41967–

508Gallipolis, OHOH29,07266–

509San Luis Obispo, CACA282,36766–

510Texarkana, TXTX146,81666–

511Rochester, MNMN231,18466–

512Fremont, NENE38,05765–

513Hutchinson, MNMN36,63165–

514Topeka, KSKS233,05265–

515Fitzgerald, GAGA17,09965–

516Huntsville, TXTX83,84265–

517Miami, OKOK30,43865–

518Mount Vernon, ILIL36,14765–

519Cookeville, TNTN152,47765–

520Sikeston, MOMO49,97865–

521Franklin, KYKY20,78865–

522Visalia, CACA485,14665–

523Albuquerque, NMNM925,27965–

524Bogalusa, LALA44,93764–

525Olean, NYNY75,39064–

526Hinesville, GAGA91,87064–

527Shelbyville, TNTN55,27364–

528Washington, ININ34,20964–

529Jonesboro, ARAR139,44064–

530Burlington, IAIA44,06164–

531Blytheville, ARAR37,82864–

532St. Simons, GAGA118,52464–

533Greensburg, ININ26,57663–

534Pine Bluff, ARAR70,21163–

535Greencastle, ININ37,87663–

536McComb, MSMS52,64063–

537Traverse City, MIMI156,97263–

538Lake of the Woods, VAVA40,08363–

539Coshocton, OHOH37,18863–

540Winchester, TNTN45,57963–

541Eugene, OROR381,58462–

542Manhattan, KSKS136,12262–

543Daphne, ALAL267,76162–

544Valdosta, GAGA153,27662–

545Midland, TXTX193,13961–

546Talladega, ALAL91,76461–

547Kennett, MOMO26,85561–

548Mayfield, KYKY37,05061–

549Bellingham, WAWA236,39261–

550Rochelle, ILIL51,39961–

551Roanoke Rapids, NCNC63,02561–

552Oneonta, NYNY60,58960–

553Statesboro, GAGA97,97760–

554Pittsburg, KSKS39,00860–

555Columbus, MSMS67,14460–

556Macomb, ILIL25,91660–

557Kill Devil Hills, NCNC38,24559–

558Pocatello, IDID91,59159–

559Thomasville, GAGA72,95859–

560Enterprise, ALAL56,95359–

561Union City, TNTN30,06758–

562Cape Girardeau, MOMO99,21558–

563Nacogdoches, TXTX66,03558–

564Laurel, MSMS82,28158–

565Lewisburg, TNTN38,07157–

566Clarksdale, MSMS19,84957–

567Lawrenceburg, TNTN46,91457–

568Campbellsville, KYKY38,40757–

569Murrells Inlet, SCSC65,91257–

570The Villages, FLFL157,77257–

571Mason City, IAIA49,71057–

572Baraboo, WIWI66,65256–

573Coeur d'Alene, IDID191,86456–

574Fort Dodge, IAIA36,83856–

575Tuscaloosa, ALAL281,85056–

576Mountain Home, ARAR42,98256–

577Quincy, ILIL74,14656–

578Cambridge, MDMD33,62856–

579Poplar Bluff, MOMO41,90456–

580Glasgow, KYKY56,22455–

581Starkville, MSMS62,06355–

582Mount Pleasant, TXTX57,07655–

583Martin, TNTN33,26155–

584Paragould, ARAR47,41155–

585Fargo, NDND269,52855–

586Alexander City, ALAL40,95354–

587Pella, IAIA34,19254–

588Abilene, TXTX185,42954–

589Red Wing, MNMN48,19554–

590Jefferson City, MOMO152,71254–

591Enid, OKOK61,77954–

592Wichita Falls, TXTX149,44854–

593Petoskey, MIMI33,77554–

594Alpena, MIMI28,85354–

595Lake City, FLFL74,09453–

596Sioux Falls, SDSD314,63853–

597Bennington, VTVT36,63053–

598Sayre, PAPA59,60053–

599Brattleboro, VTVT45,20453–

600Searcy, ARAR80,08553–

601Newberry, SCSC39,56153–

602Medford, OROR221,79553–

603Austin, MNMN40,97153–

604Rolla, MOMO45,24752–

605Ponca City, OKOK43,49052–

606Ardmore, OKOK48,91052–

607Americus, GAGA33,39452–

608Sedalia, MOMO44,25452–

609Santa Fe, NMNM156,90752–

610Brookhaven, MSMS35,01252–

611Vidalia, GAGA36,18052–

612Ludington, MIMI29,04052–

613Pueblo, COCO169,27752–

614Effingham, ILIL44,72751–

615Lubbock, TXTX368,43151–

616Hemlock Farms, PAPA62,80851–

617Jacksonville, ILIL37,38151–

618Warrensburg, MOMO56,67051–

619Kennewick, WAWA324,33451–

620Crossville, TNTN66,30051–

621Warren, PAPA37,03851–

622Washington, NCNC44,67051–

623Mount Sterling, KYKY48,42851–

624Huntingdon, PAPA43,00150–

625Moberly, MOMO24,51350–

626Provo, UTUT773,42650–

627Lincoln, ILIL27,18250–

628Hutchinson, KSKS61,53950–

629Lebanon, NHNH224,50050–

630Paris, TNTN32,89650–

631Fayetteville, TNTN36,85349–

632Selma, ALAL35,14049–

633Willmar, MNMN44,72049–

634Duncan, OKOK44,31049–

635Taylorville, ILIL33,44349–

636Bradford, PAPA38,98448–

637Kingsland, GAGA60,14348–

638Cleveland, MSMS28,26248–

639Picayune, MSMS59,36348–

640Dixon, ILIL32,91447–

641Ada, OKOK38,52847–

642Butte-Silver Bow, MTMT36,11847–

643Rice Lake, WIWI46,48447–

644Albert Lea, MNMN30,44047–

645Victoria, TXTX99,86446–

646Monticello, ININ25,16446–

647Mount Vernon, WAWA132,97546–

648Tahlequah, OKOK49,19645–

649Palestine, TXTX59,80545–

650Alexandria, MNMN40,12045–

651El Dorado, ARAR36,92645–

652Forrest City, ARAR21,80045–

653Scottsboro, ALAL54,28144–

654New Ulm, MNMN25,51744–

655Canton, ILIL32,90144–

656Yakima, WAWA259,18544–

657Russellville, ALAL32,44944–

658Dublin, GAGA60,35144–

659Logan, UTUT160,88943–

660Brenham, TXTX38,28843–

661Bangor, MEME157,96743–

662Platteville, WIWI52,44643–

663Bainbridge, GAGA29,43243–

664Malvern, ARAR33,45142–

665Menomonie, WIWI46,22342–

666St. Marys, PAPA29,92642–

667Lock Haven, PAPA37,87042–

668Massena, NYNY105,48842–

669Troy, ALAL33,68841–

670Grenada, MSMS30,22241–

671Batesville, ARAR38,78541–

672Sparta, WIWI46,57241–

673Branson, MOMO57,00140–

674Clearlake, CACA67,77240–

675Astoria, OROR40,92640–

676Shelton, WAWA71,16540–

677Oxford, MSMS71,97240–

678Hannibal, MOMO38,96940–

679Albany, OROR132,84340–

680Newport, OROR50,63640–

681Laredo, TXTX281,22440–

682Corsicana, TXTX57,18140–

683Waycross, GAGA57,67039–

684Grand Island, NENE78,07639–

685Atchison, KSKS16,17239–

686Marquette, MIMI68,06439–

687Spirit Lake, IAIA18,07739–

688Jacksonville, TXTX53,33739–

689Redding, CACA181,64839–

690San Angelo, TXTX122,06539–

691Natchez, MSMS54,72239–

692Amarillo, TXTX276,23539–

693Okeechobee, FLFL42,60839–

694Ottawa, KSKS26,29938–

695Douglas, GAGA52,86138–

696Grants Pass, OROR87,86738–

697Walla Walla, WAWA62,36138–

698Salina, KSKS59,12138–

699Greenwood, MSMS34,91238–

700Coos Bay, OROR63,99238–

701Oskaloosa, IAIA21,88038–

702Pontiac, ILIL35,05738–

703Carroll, IAIA20,30338–

704Port Lavaca, TXTX19,59938–

705Sulphur Springs, TXTX39,06338–

706Arcadia, FLFL37,07837–

707Yankton, SDSD23,63537–

708El Campo, TXTX42,06037–

709Russellville, ARAR84,93237–

710Brownwood, TXTX38,71136–

711Big Spring, TXTX30,50436–

712Columbus, NENE46,58336–

713Altus, OKOK24,76436–

714Las Cruces, NMNM229,09136–

715Lebanon, MOMO36,94336–

716Durant, OKOK51,36735–

717Gainesville, TXTX44,46135–

718Jesup, GAGA32,48135–

719Storm Lake, IAIA20,44935–

720Marshall, MNMN25,68435–

721Lewiston, IDID65,45035–

722Kingsville, TXTX30,31534–

723Mexico, MOMO24,52834–

724Cadillac, MIMI49,71934–

725West Plains, MOMO40,79834–

726Bay City, TXTX36,46334–

727Aberdeen, WAWA78,14434–

728Magnolia, ARAR21,89434–

729Eureka, CACA131,64733–

730Rio Grande City, TXTX66,31933–

731Greeley, COCO378,42633–

732Watertown, SDSD29,56233–

733Kirksville, MOMO29,82433–

734Kerrville, TXTX54,03733–

735Great Bend, KSKS24,79033–

736Shawano, WIWI45,75933–

737Arkansas City, KSKS34,38233–

738Port Angeles, WAWA78,20232–

739Hood River, OROR23,72032–

740Reno, NVNV578,73432–

741Escanaba, MIMI36,58232–

742Fairmont, MNMN19,44032–

743Vermillion, SDSD15,03132–

744Duluth, MNMN281,21932–

745Brookings, SDSD37,63532–

746Marshall, MOMO23,26531–

747McAlester, OKOK43,32031–

748Spencer, IAIA16,20231–

749McPherson, KSKS30,06430–

750Grand Forks, NDND105,04630–

751Raymondville, TXTX19,97130–

752Hilo, HIHI210,04330–

753Paris, TXTX63,31930–

754Norfolk, NENE49,22830–

755Kearney, NENE57,96230–

756Liberal, KSKS21,07329–

757Natchitoches, LALA36,08929–

758Borger, TXTX19,63329–

759Hays, KSKS29,07529–

760Great Falls, MTMT85,02929–

761Beeville, TXTX32,51529–

762Moscow, IDID41,84228–

763Eagle Pass, TXTX58,82328–

764Worthington, MNMN22,33828–

765Grand Junction, COCO162,84528–

766Bonham, TXTX39,26528–

767Twin Falls, IDID123,90127–

768Cheyenne, WYWY102,93827–

769Boise City, IDID864,24327–

770Le Mars, IAIA25,69727–

771Marinette, WIWI65,51527–

772Beatrice, NENE21,71127–

773Elkins, WVWV26,88227–

774Camden, ARAR26,36327–

775Eufaula, ALAL26,86127–

776Mineral Wells, TXTX30,79126–

777El Centro, CACA181,41126–

778DeRidder, LALA36,67326–

779Stephenville, TXTX43,91126–

780Spearfish, SDSD29,45926–

781Fergus Falls, MNMN61,04126–

782Harrison, ARAR45,65425–

783Garden City, KSKS37,50525–

784Alice, TXTX45,38325–

785Iron Mountain, MIMI30,57525–

786Dodge City, KSKS33,99325–

787Scottsbluff, NENE36,27225–

788Arkadelphia, ARAR20,93825–

789Maryville, MOMO20,17425–

790Centralia, WAWA88,06225–

791Nogales, AZAZ50,02024–

792Hastings, NENE40,57724–

793Houghton, MIMI40,02824–

794Crescent City, CACA26,41023–

795Emporia, KSKS34,83823–

796Ukiah, CACA88,12223–

797Sault Ste. Marie, MIMI36,08122–

798Brainerd, MNMN100,56222–

799Sonora, CACA53,16022–

800Plainview, TXTX36,70022–

801Missoula, MTMT128,69822–

802Detroit Lakes, MNMN35,49721–

803Cañon City, COCO50,03921–

804Elk City, OKOK22,15921–

805Snyder, TXTX16,16221–

806Moses Lake, WAWA105,72720–

807Bismarck, NDND139,75020–

808St. George, UTUT213,67020–

809Dumas, TXTX21,89120–

810Gardnerville Ranchos, NVNV51,15420–

811Billings, MTMT193,60320–

812Yuma, AZAZ224,44919–

813Bozeman, MTMT128,74019–

814Weatherford, OKOK39,05919–

815Breckenridge, COCO39,06919–

816Durango, COCO56,89819–

817Roseburg, OROR111,95119–

818Sweetwater, TXTX14,11718–

819Pullman, WAWA48,51218–

820Blackfoot, IDID51,15318–

821Idaho Falls, IDID173,85118–

822Fort Morgan, COCO30,30617–

823Clewiston, FLFL61,54617–

824Red Bluff, CACA64,66517–

825Farmington, NMNM120,34017–

826Wenatchee, WAWA128,41417–

827Fredericksburg, TXTX28,52716–

828Mitchell, SDSD25,91316–

829Sierra Vista, AZAZ126,33216–

830Vernon, TXTX12,48116–

831Sandpoint, IDID54,42015–

832Grand Rapids, MNMN45,40415–

833Clovis, NMNM65,27015–

834Woodward, OKOK19,82715–

835Uvalde, TXTX24,96315–

836Lexington, NENE26,25515–

837Rexburg, IDID69,38015–

838Huron, SDSD19,62415–

839Minot, NDND75,69414–

840Aberdeen, SDSD41,58314–

841Rapid City, SDSD156,93414–

842Bemidji, MNMN47,05514–

843Price, UTUT20,68014–

844Pampa, TXTX21,78614–

845Prescott Valley, AZAZ252,55213–

846Bend, OROR266,37613–

847Edwards, COCO54,29113–

848Hereford, TXTX18,62613–

849Hermiston, OROR93,72113–

850Hobbs, NMNM74,74913–

851Del Rio, TXTX47,83512–

852Brookings, OROR22,62112–

853Wahpeton, NDND23,01912–

854Burley, IDID49,30812–

855Kalispell, MTMT115,42912–

856Carlsbad, NMNM62,50912–

857Ellensburg, WAWA48,80312–

858La Grande, OROR25,90012–

859Casper, WYWY80,52611–

860Port Townsend, WAWA33,97011–

861Gallup, NMNM68,11911–

862Montrose, COCO44,59111–

863Rifle, COCO80,09911–

864North Platte, NENE33,97211–

865Fairbanks, AKAK93,97211–

866Taos, NMNM34,56410–

867Williston, NDND41,76710–

868Anchorage, AKAK405,82110–

869Jamestown, NDND21,41410–

870Juneau city and, AKAK31,60910–

871Klamath Falls, OROR70,27410–

872Sterling, COCO20,65410–

873Andrews, TXTX18,91410–

874Roswell, NMNM63,36410–

875Sheridan, WYWY33,2419–

876Helena, MTMT97,1539–

877Zapata, TXTX13,7539–

878The Dalles, OROR26,3109–

879Payson, AZAZ53,8018–

880Heber, UTUT81,6558–

881Guymon, OKOK20,3228–

882Pierre, SDSD20,5888–

883Alamogordo, NMNM70,3688–

884Show Low, AZAZ109,9468–

885Alamosa, COCO27,8967–

886Laramie, WYWY38,5587–

887Othello, WAWA21,4887–

888Lake Havasu City, AZAZ228,1027–

889Silver City, NMNM27,2527–

890Mountain Home, IDID29,4657–

891Evanston, WYWY23,4157–

892Cedar City, UTUT67,1416–

893Dickinson, NDND39,1426–

894Gillette, WYWY48,1456–

895Deming, NMNM25,4076–

896Susanville, CACA28,1176–

897Town of Pecos, TXTX12,1386–

898Española, NMNM39,8326–

899Safford, AZAZ40,1576–

900Brigham City, UTUT70,4056–

901Flagstaff, AZAZ144,3685–

902Baker City, OROR16,6585–

903Vernal, UTUT38,2785–

904Las Vegas, NMNM30,3115–

905Ontario, OROR60,0854–

906Rock Springs, WYWY41,2674–

907Riverton, WYWY39,4644–

908Fallon, NVNV25,8514–

909Steamboat Springs, COCO38,4514–

910Hailey, IDID32,4364–

911Cody, WYWY31,1713–

912Jackson, WYWY36,5873–

913Ketchikan, AKAK13,5493–

914Ruidoso, NMNM19,8443–

915Bishop, CACA18,1582–

916Elko, NVNV56,6822–

917Winnemucca, NVNV17,2671–

918Pahrump, NVNV57,3361–

SHOWING 501–918 OF 918

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UPDATED 2026-07-15 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS