RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 918

Most densely populated, US metro areas · 1990

US metro areas ranked by residents per square mile (1990). New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ leads at 2,739. 918 metro areas qualify in total. California carries 5 of the top 25 entries.

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

All statesAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCities Counties States

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS –

01New York, NYNY20,112,4482,739–

02Los Angeles, CACA12,844,4412,323–

03San Francisco, CACA4,630,0411,493–

04Trenton, NJNJ399,2891,451–

05Honolulu, HIHI988,7031,392–

06Boston, MAMA5,034,2211,186–

07Philadelphia, PAPA6,329,1181,181–

08Chicago, ILIL9,434,1231,163–

09Detroit, MIMI4,390,9131,092–

10Milwaukee, WIWI1,575,010984–

11Providence, RIRI1,708,161951–

12Baltimore, MDMD2,857,781916–

13Tampa, FLFL3,418,895822–

14Cleveland, OHOH2,165,775815–

15Buffalo, NYNY1,155,653760–

16Springfield, MAMA464,338740–

17Akron, OHOH701,780730–

18Washington, DCDC6,465,724680–

19Flint, MIMI401,093676–

20Miami, FLFL6,391,072669–

21Dayton, OHOH826,554627–

22San Diego, CACA3,282,248593–

23San Jose, CACA1,984,473573–

24Racine, WIWI198,919526–

25Santa Cruz, CACA258,852516–

26New Orleans, LALA970,849484–

27Bremerton, WAWA283,374480–

28Youngstown, OHOH423,678479–

29Barnstable, MAMA233,539473–

30Allentown, PAPA887,615473–

31Kenosha, WIWI168,448472–

32Worcester, MAMA888,502470–

33Dallas, TXTX8,477,157459–

34Virginia Beach, VAVA1,797,213457–

35Pittsburgh, PAPA2,421,992455–

36Toledo, OHOH599,376451–

37Lancaster, PAPA563,159448–

38Seattle, WAWA4,161,883436–

39Cape Coral, FLFL875,607429–

40Houston, TXTX7,904,627426–

41Cincinnati, OHOH2,312,858421–

42Vallejo, CACA455,376414–

43Canton, OHOH400,246406–

44Ann Arbor, MIMI370,214401–

45Kalamazoo, MIMI263,795398–

46Atlantic City, NJNJ372,047396–

47Palm Bay, FLFL663,982393–

48Reading, PAPA440,072393–

49Manchester, NHNH433,415383–

50North Port, FLFL948,158377–

51York, PAPA473,197375–

52Springfield, OHOH135,340373–

53Minneapolis, MNMN3,790,295366–

54Oxnard, CACA830,851363–

55Rockford, ILIL337,242357–

56Kiryas Joel, NYNY718,377353–

57Atlanta, GAGA6,482,182351–

58Orlando, FLFL2,957,672351–

59Indianapolis, ININ2,205,695345–

60Stockton, CACA823,815345–

61Erie, PAPA265,832345–

62Rochester, NYNY1,056,149342–

63Elkhart, ININ208,774337–

64Scranton, PAPA574,418329–

65St. Louis, MOMO2,814,421326–

66Oshkosh, WIWI174,218323–

67Muskegon, MIMI177,901315–

68Lebanon, PAPA146,380314–

69South Bend, ININ324,538313–

70Boulder, COCO328,560310–

71Mobile, ALAL411,658308–

72Muncie, ININ113,106305–

73Columbus, OHOH2,242,028305–

74Harrisburg, PAPA617,427292–

75Brownsville, TXTX433,946292–

76Sacramento, CACA2,477,274291–

77Jacksonville, FLFL1,785,500289–

78Oak Harbor, WAWA85,657289–

79Albany, NYNY915,835288–

80Vineland, NJNJ157,148286–

81Fayetteville, NCNC395,412285–

82Niles, MIMI152,444284–

83Carson, NVNV58,571280–

84Amherst, MAMA164,065278–

85Syracuse, NYNY652,273277–

86Kokomo, ININ83,904276–

87Lima, OHOH100,881273–

88Greensboro, NCNC805,945271–

89Louisville, KYKY1,402,509265–

90Saginaw, MIMI187,688265–

91Grand Rapids, MIMI1,183,645262–

92Fort Wayne, ININ466,258260–

93Burlington, NCNC186,177256–

94Raleigh, NCNC1,595,720255–

95Lansing, MIMI479,722255–

96Mansfield, OHOH124,893255–

97Bay City, MIMI102,123253–

98Deltona, FLFL746,933252–

99Altoona, PAPA119,541249–

100Modesto, CACA557,719248–

101Santa Rosa, CACA486,444246–

102Weirton, WVWV112,468246–

103McAllen, TXTX921,549244–

104Charlotte, NCNC2,938,830244–

105Monroe, MIMI156,004243–

106Gainesville, GAGA226,568243–

107Winston-Salem, NCNC712,206243–

108Lexington, KYKY535,174237–

109Johnstown, PAPA128,968237–

110Elmira, NYNY80,415234–

111Sandusky, OHOH112,777231–

112Evansville, ININ273,786230–

113Portland, OROR2,542,282228–

114Greenville, SCSC1,014,101228–

115Ogden, UTUT672,784228–

116Lakeland, FLFL874,790225–

117Port St. Lucie, FLFL568,721225–

118Lewiston, MEME116,487225–

119Lacey, WAWA304,261223–

120Lexington Park, MDMD211,176223–

121Kansas City, MOMO2,270,682222–

122Binghamton, NYNY243,189216–

123Memphis, TNTN1,341,412216–

124Huntsville, ALAL556,444215–

125Jackson, MIMI159,552213–

126Portland, MEME577,635212–

127Warner Robins, GAGA208,091210–

128Chattanooga, TNTN594,530207–

129Richmond, VAVA1,389,338207–

130Pensacola, FLFL544,949206–

131Corpus Christi, TXTX451,191206–

132Salem, OHOH99,377204–

133Sheboygan, WIWI118,047203–

134Decatur, ILIL99,300202–

135Austin, TXTX2,620,945201–

136Denver, COCO3,092,037199–

137Ithaca, NYNY104,047198–

138Jacksonville, NCNC217,175197–

139Pottsville, PAPA145,085196–

140Durham, NCNC625,485196–

141Charleston, SCSC889,263196–

142Sunbury, PAPA107,788195–

143Spartanburg, SCSC407,656195–

144Janesville, WIWI166,472194–

145Battle Creek, MIMI133,408193–

146San Antonio, TXTX2,813,140192–

147Oxford, ALAL115,834192–

148Morristown, TNTN128,867191–

149Savannah, GAGA438,314191–

150Hagerstown, MDMD315,280191–

151Dover, DEDE194,786189–

152Goldsboro, NCNC122,278189–

153Johnson City, TNTN216,416188–

154Gadsden, ALAL103,886187–

155Knoxville, TNTN968,137186–

156Martinsville, VAVA63,091186–

157Fairmont, WVWV55,584185–

158Appleton, WIWI249,876183–

159Wooster, OHOH116,758183–

160Shelby, NCNC103,325182–

161Birmingham, ALAL1,197,766181–

162Hermitage, PAPA107,860180–

163Wilson, NCNC81,150180–

164Sebastian, FLFL172,799180–

165Lawrence, KSKS120,920179–

166Marion, ININ66,524179–

167Richmond, ININ66,169179–

168Michigan City, ININ111,294179–

169Hickory, NCNC376,890178–

170Asheville, NCNC422,345177–

171Oklahoma City, OKOK1,512,813176–

172Nashville, TNTN2,197,416175–

173Beaumont, TXTX399,310172–

174Slidell, LALA279,108171–

175Wheeling, WVWV134,089169–

176Los Alamos, NMNM19,407166–

177Greenville, NCNC182,936165–

178Tyler, TXTX252,549164–

179Punta Gorda, FLFL217,212163–

180Lincoln, NENE352,081163–

181Sanford, NCNC70,258162–

182Davenport, IAIA380,452162–

183Bloomington, ININ165,231162–

184Homosassa Springs, FLFL171,666161–

185Springfield, ILIL206,033160–

186Rome, GAGA101,378159–

187Marion, OHOH65,115159–

188Omaha, NENE1,009,836158–

189East Stroudsburg, PAPA167,179157–

190Chambersburg, PAPA160,652157–

191Columbus, ININ85,729156–

192Dalton, GAGA147,819155–

193Sumter, SCSC105,067154–

194Henderson, NCNC42,638154–

195Parkersburg, WVWV87,264154–

196Phoenix, AZAZ5,228,938154–

197Milledgeville, GAGA44,029153–

198Colorado Springs, COCO781,796153–

199Fremont, OHOH58,655152–

200Gettysburg, PAPA107,594151–

201Pittsfield, MAMA128,224150–

202New Philadelphia, OHOH92,373148–

203Columbia, SCSC879,918148–

204Baton Rouge, LALA888,699148–

205Napa, CACA132,949147–

206Kingston, NYNY183,330147–

207Midland, MIMI83,754146–

208Gulfport, MSMS431,329146–

209Peoria, ILIL363,505145–

210Salem, OROR445,814145–

211Roanoke, VAVA316,547144–

212Kinston, NCNC55,837144–

213Kankakee, ILIL105,525142–

214Frankfort, KYKY77,874142–

215Dubuque, IAIA99,381142–

216Burlington, VTVT227,803142–

217Salisbury, MDMD131,872141–

218Madison, WIWI709,685140–

219Charleston, WVWV200,170139–

220Shreveport, LALA383,474139–

221Elizabeth City, NCNC42,201138–

222Marion, ILIL67,225137–

223Kingsport, TNTN314,834137–

224Manitowoc, WIWI81,710136–

225Owensboro, KYKY113,962136–

226Cumberland, MDMD93,640136–

227Santa Maria, CACA442,065135–

228Whitewater, WIWI106,127135–

229Jamestown, NYNY124,126134–

230Augusta, MEME129,067134–

231Athens, GAGA224,148133–

232Odessa, TXTX173,801132–

233Portsmouth, OHOH71,365132–

234Owosso, MIMI67,681131–

235Albemarle, NCNC68,830131–

236Little Rock, ARAR777,607131–

237Bloomsburg, PAPA66,193131–

238Green Bay, WIWI336,756130–

239Nantucket, MAMA14,758130–

240Toccoa, GAGA27,854130–

241Florence, SCSC201,392129–

242Amsterdam, NYNY50,046129–

243Concord, NHNH158,078129–

244Rocky Mount, NCNC148,486127–

245Augusta, GAGA641,231127–

246Myrtle Beach, SCSC427,551127–

247Huntington, WVWV365,965127–

248Fond du Lac, WIWI104,669125–

249Albertville, ALAL103,537125–

250Des Moines, IAIA758,539125–

251Zanesville, OHOH87,014123–

252Findlay, OHOH75,034123–

253Wichita, KSKS663,809123–

254Warsaw, ININ80,892123–

255New Castle, ININ49,137123–

256Ocala, FLFL442,660123–

257Laconia, NHNH65,147122–

258Adrian, MIMI97,779122–

259Batavia, NYNY58,416122–

260Watertown, WIWI86,505122–

261Tulsa, OKOK1,069,273121–

262Connersville, ININ23,533121–

263Seaford, DEDE277,140121–

264Utica, NYNY285,611121–

265Macon-Bibb County, GAGA238,553120–

266Bucyrus, OHOH41,896119–

267Auburn, NYNY74,365119–

268New Iberia, LALA66,846119–

269Bluefield, WVWV96,138118–

270Boone, NCNC54,786118–

271Athens, OHOH63,197118–

272Sturgis, MIMI60,968118–

273Mount Airy, NCNC72,287116–

274Bartlesville, OKOK54,037116–

275Lewisburg, PAPA42,313114–

276Cleveland, TNTN134,057114–

277Norwalk, OHOH58,250114–

278Elizabethtown, KYKY128,666114–

279Anderson Creek, NCNC150,137114–

280Easton, MDMD38,238114–

281Terre Haute, ININ169,241114–

282Gaffney, SCSC58,275113–

283Vineyard Haven, MAMA21,219113–

284Montgomery, ALAL388,747112–

285Lewistown, PAPA46,127112–

286Ashland, OHOH52,523112–

287State College, PAPA157,393112–

288Selinsgrove, PAPA39,655112–

289Chico, CACA209,211111–

290Wapakoneta, OHOH45,909111–

291Lafayette, LALA423,758111–

292Lumberton, NCNC119,941111–

293Sidney, OHOH48,065110–

294Holland, MIMI123,188110–

295Gloversville, NYNY52,216109–

296Bloomington, ILIL171,419109–

297Cedartown, GAGA45,514109–

298Indiana, PAPA82,878109–

299Tallahassee, FLFL397,442108–

300Tiffin, OHOH54,522108–

301Salinas, CACA433,729108–

302Hammond, LALA141,346108–

303Hot Springs, ARAR99,695108–

304Farmington, MOMO67,809108–

305Danville, VAVA101,137107–

306Panama City, FLFL231,174107–

307El Paso, TXTX881,291106–

308Laurinburg, NCNC33,322106–

309Champaign, ILIL239,979106–

310Waterloo, IAIA169,189106–

311Blacksburg, VAVA181,616105–

312Corvallis, OROR97,728105–

313Cedar Rapids, IAIA279,285105–

314Carbondale, ILIL52,501105–

315Wilmington, NCNC492,772105–

316Florence, ALAL156,609104–

317Seneca Falls, NYNY32,883104–

318Morgan City, LALA46,552104–

319Morgantown, WVWV141,995104–

320Decatur, ALAL160,326104–

321Morehead City, NCNC70,469104–

322Sherman, TXTX153,613102–

323Lafayette, ININ228,468102–

324Harrisonburg, VAVA140,155102–

325Charleston, ILIL46,607102–

326Clarksburg, WVWV88,142101–

327Forest City, NCNC65,745101–

328Chillicothe, OHOH76,429101–

329Greenfield, MAMA70,698100–

330Columbus, GAGA324,830100–

331Cornelia, GAGA50,416100–

332Springfield, MOMO500,69499–

333Yuba City, CACA187,47899–

334Hudson, NYNY60,16899–

335Keene, NHNH78,26999–

336Faribault, MNMN69,93999–

337Peru, ININ34,48799–

338Marietta, OHOH58,38999–

339Pikeville, KYKY89,12298–

340Beckley, WVWV109,94098–

341Calhoun, GAGA61,70198–

342Danville, ILIL71,25998–

343Cortland, NYNY45,85098–

344Iowa City, IAIA182,71198–

345Fort Smith, ARAR234,14098–

346Staunton, VAVA129,69297–

347Auburn, ININ44,53597–

348Williamsport, PAPA112,58797–

349Salt Lake City, UTUT1,308,37797–

350Defiance, OHOH38,29296–

351Mount Pleasant, MIMI64,69195–

352Killeen, TXTX511,49795–

353Bedford, ININ45,56895–

354Plymouth, ININ46,59995–

355Riverside, CACA4,769,00795–

356Lynchburg, VAVA269,16994–

357Rockingham, NCNC42,04194–

358Las Vegas, NVNV2,407,22694–

359Greenville, MSMS40,44694–

360Fresno, CACA1,203,38393–

361Logansport, ININ37,83693–

362Wisconsin Rapids, WIWI74,06093–

363Gainesville, FLFL359,03693–

364Huntington, ININ37,22493–

365Spokane, WAWA608,01292–

366Bellefontaine, OHOH46,30292–

367Kendallville, ININ47,93792–

368Auburn, ALAL208,01392–

369Merced, CACA297,26092–

370Cullman, ALAL94,00992–

371Seneca, SCSC83,77592–

372Decatur, ININ36,65092–

373LaGrange, GAGA107,09791–

374Muscatine, IAIA41,85391–

375Mount Vernon, OHOH64,00290–

376Albany, GAGA145,51090–

377Stillwater, OKOK83,88990–

378Greeneville, TNTN73,83190–

379Greenville, OHOH51,52090–

380Palatka, FLFL77,73489–

381Danville, KYKY56,98589–

382Angola, ININ34,79989–

383Longview, TXTX297,31589–

384Ruston, LALA48,36089–

385Ozark, ALAL49,91288–

386Jefferson, GAGA99,26588–

387Greenwood, SCSC95,21588–

388Oil City, PAPA49,34688–

389Sterling, ILIL54,12188–

390Jackson, TNTN184,56988–

391Middlesborough, KYKY22,82988–

392Clarksville, TNTN349,00188–

393Lufkin, TXTX88,15488–

394Watertown, NYNY111,54087–

395Charlottesville, VAVA228,59787–

396Beaver Dam, WIWI89,09787–

397Crestview, FLFL315,09887–

398Ames, IAIA128,09087–

399Opelousas, LALA80,76587–

400Wilmington, OHOH42,30187–

401Richmond, KYKY131,80686–

402Jackson, MSMS609,84786–

403Sevierville, TNTN101,34286–

404Jasper, ININ44,01686–

405Kahului, HIHI160,67486–

406Celina, OHOH42,73785–

407Freeport, ILIL43,22085–

408Meadville, PAPA81,79285–

409Madisonville, KYKY45,12785–

410St. Cloud, MNMN205,85485–

411Wabash, ININ30,71385–

412Fayetteville, ARAR622,17785–

413Waynesville, NCNC63,36985–

414Pinehurst, NCNC110,61985–

415Joplin, MOMO208,79684–

416Muskogee, OKOK66,70884–

417Urbana, OHOH38,82084–

418Eau Claire, WIWI176,64784–

419Plattsburgh, NYNY78,13883–

420Hilton Head Island, SCSC242,96683–

421Ottumwa, IAIA35,21083–

422Madison, ININ33,27983–

423Kapaa, HIHI73,40083–

424Truckee, CACA101,91182–

425Coldwater, MIMI45,99382–

426Vicksburg, MSMS41,75981–

427Thomaston, GAGA28,50081–

428Marion, NCNC45,19881–

429Paducah, KYKY102,25981–

430Tullahoma, TNTN69,33981–

431Athens, TNTN71,59081–

432Tifton, GAGA51,23780–

433Barre, VTVT59,65280–

434Murray, KYKY39,42180–

435Columbia, MOMO219,06280–

436Waco, TXTX308,80780–

437Houma, LALA199,66880–

438Key West, FLFL80,40679–

439Corinth, MSMS34,56979–

440Winchester, VAVA152,33279–

441La Crosse, WIWI171,18279–

442North Wilkesboro, NCNC66,23379–

443Galesburg, ILIL47,76779–

444Sioux City, IAIA145,73878–

445Tupelo, MSMS133,16778–

446Vincennes, ININ35,65277–

447Stevens Point, WIWI71,94377–

448Orangeburg, SCSC83,17777–

449Frankfort, ININ33,32276–

450Winona, MNMN50,52376–

451McMinnville, TNTN43,71776–

452Naples, FLFL417,13176–

453Monroe, LALA222,39076–

454Alexandria, LALA147,95276–

455Fort Leonard Wood, MOMO54,44276–

456Somerset, KYKY67,38475–

457Ocean Pines, MDMD54,45975–

458Fort Madison, IAIA32,30675–

459Cambridge, OHOH38,37975–

460Wausau, WIWI139,43275–

461Shawnee, OKOK75,10275–

462Van Wert, OHOH29,01374–

463Corbin, KYKY150,04074–

464Henderson, KYKY57,18474–

465Seymour, ININ47,37074–

466Clinton, IAIA46,00273–

467Cordele, GAGA19,23773–

468Hanford, CACA154,32773–

469Somerset, PAPA72,00473–

470Hillsdale, MIMI45,73873–

471Centralia, ILIL36,38273–

472Tucson, AZAZ1,074,68573–

473Longview, WAWA114,88572–

474College Station, TXTX287,47672–

475Fort Collins, COCO377,29272–

476Monticello, NYNY80,58672–

477Owatonna, MNMN37,46472–

478Corning, NYNY91,85571–

479Summerville, GAGA25,30071–

480Minden, LALA34,94871–

481Fort Payne, ALAL74,08570–

482Dothan, ALAL156,26670–

483St. Joseph, MOMO119,17070–

484Bowling Green, KYKY197,18070–

485Glens Falls, NYNY124,37370–

486Lawton, OKOK127,59069–

487Lake Charles, LALA244,65569–

488Granbury, TXTX70,50169–

489Mankato, MNMN104,90769–

490Alma, MIMI41,19069–

491Ottawa, ILIL145,90269–

492Crawfordsville, ININ38,95468–

493DuBois, PAPA78,10068–

494Hattiesburg, MSMS158,01468–

495Dyersburg, TNTN36,32068–

496New Bern, NCNC127,35868–

497Washington Court House, OHOH28,55268–

498Brevard, NCNC34,21167–

499Sebring, FLFL111,12267–

500Big Rapids, MIMI42,32067–

SHOWING 1–500 OF 918

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

Frequently asked

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.