RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 918

Most sparsely populated, US metro areas · 1990

US metro areas with the fewest residents per square mile (1990). Pahrump, NV leads at 1. 918 metro areas qualify in total. Wyoming carries 5 of the top 25 entries.

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All statesAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCities Counties States

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS –

01Pahrump, NVNV57,3361–

02Winnemucca, NVNV17,2671–

03Elko, NVNV56,6822–

04Bishop, CACA18,1582–

05Ruidoso, NMNM19,8443–

06Ketchikan, AKAK13,5493–

07Jackson, WYWY36,5873–

08Cody, WYWY31,1713–

09Hailey, IDID32,4364–

10Steamboat Springs, COCO38,4514–

11Fallon, NVNV25,8514–

12Riverton, WYWY39,4644–

13Rock Springs, WYWY41,2674–

14Ontario, OROR60,0854–

15Las Vegas, NMNM30,3115–

16Vernal, UTUT38,2785–

17Baker City, OROR16,6585–

18Flagstaff, AZAZ144,3685–

19Brigham City, UTUT70,4056–

20Safford, AZAZ40,1576–

21Española, NMNM39,8326–

22Town of Pecos, TXTX12,1386–

23Susanville, CACA28,1176–

24Deming, NMNM25,4076–

25Gillette, WYWY48,1456–

26Dickinson, NDND39,1426–

27Cedar City, UTUT67,1416–

28Evanston, WYWY23,4157–

29Mountain Home, IDID29,4657–

30Silver City, NMNM27,2527–

31Lake Havasu City, AZAZ228,1027–

32Othello, WAWA21,4887–

33Laramie, WYWY38,5587–

34Alamosa, COCO27,8967–

35Show Low, AZAZ109,9468–

36Alamogordo, NMNM70,3688–

37Pierre, SDSD20,5888–

38Guymon, OKOK20,3228–

39Heber, UTUT81,6558–

40Payson, AZAZ53,8018–

41The Dalles, OROR26,3109–

42Zapata, TXTX13,7539–

43Helena, MTMT97,1539–

44Sheridan, WYWY33,2419–

45Roswell, NMNM63,36410–

46Andrews, TXTX18,91410–

47Sterling, COCO20,65410–

48Klamath Falls, OROR70,27410–

49Juneau city and, AKAK31,60910–

50Jamestown, NDND21,41410–

51Anchorage, AKAK405,82110–

52Williston, NDND41,76710–

53Taos, NMNM34,56410–

54Fairbanks, AKAK93,97211–

55North Platte, NENE33,97211–

56Rifle, COCO80,09911–

57Montrose, COCO44,59111–

58Gallup, NMNM68,11911–

59Port Townsend, WAWA33,97011–

60Casper, WYWY80,52611–

61La Grande, OROR25,90012–

62Ellensburg, WAWA48,80312–

63Carlsbad, NMNM62,50912–

64Kalispell, MTMT115,42912–

65Burley, IDID49,30812–

66Wahpeton, NDND23,01912–

67Brookings, OROR22,62112–

68Del Rio, TXTX47,83512–

69Hobbs, NMNM74,74913–

70Hermiston, OROR93,72113–

71Hereford, TXTX18,62613–

72Edwards, COCO54,29113–

73Bend, OROR266,37613–

74Prescott Valley, AZAZ252,55213–

75Pampa, TXTX21,78614–

76Price, UTUT20,68014–

77Bemidji, MNMN47,05514–

78Rapid City, SDSD156,93414–

79Aberdeen, SDSD41,58314–

80Minot, NDND75,69414–

81Huron, SDSD19,62415–

82Rexburg, IDID69,38015–

83Lexington, NENE26,25515–

84Uvalde, TXTX24,96315–

85Woodward, OKOK19,82715–

86Clovis, NMNM65,27015–

87Grand Rapids, MNMN45,40415–

88Sandpoint, IDID54,42015–

89Vernon, TXTX12,48116–

90Sierra Vista, AZAZ126,33216–

91Mitchell, SDSD25,91316–

92Fredericksburg, TXTX28,52716–

93Wenatchee, WAWA128,41417–

94Farmington, NMNM120,34017–

95Red Bluff, CACA64,66517–

96Clewiston, FLFL61,54617–

97Fort Morgan, COCO30,30617–

98Idaho Falls, IDID173,85118–

99Blackfoot, IDID51,15318–

100Pullman, WAWA48,51218–

101Sweetwater, TXTX14,11718–

102Roseburg, OROR111,95119–

103Durango, COCO56,89819–

104Breckenridge, COCO39,06919–

105Weatherford, OKOK39,05919–

106Bozeman, MTMT128,74019–

107Yuma, AZAZ224,44919–

108Billings, MTMT193,60320–

109Gardnerville Ranchos, NVNV51,15420–

110Dumas, TXTX21,89120–

111St. George, UTUT213,67020–

112Bismarck, NDND139,75020–

113Moses Lake, WAWA105,72720–

114Snyder, TXTX16,16221–

115Elk City, OKOK22,15921–

116Cañon City, COCO50,03921–

117Detroit Lakes, MNMN35,49721–

118Missoula, MTMT128,69822–

119Plainview, TXTX36,70022–

120Sonora, CACA53,16022–

121Brainerd, MNMN100,56222–

122Sault Ste. Marie, MIMI36,08122–

123Ukiah, CACA88,12223–

124Emporia, KSKS34,83823–

125Crescent City, CACA26,41023–

126Houghton, MIMI40,02824–

127Hastings, NENE40,57724–

128Nogales, AZAZ50,02024–

129Centralia, WAWA88,06225–

130Maryville, MOMO20,17425–

131Arkadelphia, ARAR20,93825–

132Scottsbluff, NENE36,27225–

133Dodge City, KSKS33,99325–

134Iron Mountain, MIMI30,57525–

135Alice, TXTX45,38325–

136Garden City, KSKS37,50525–

137Harrison, ARAR45,65425–

138Fergus Falls, MNMN61,04126–

139Spearfish, SDSD29,45926–

140Stephenville, TXTX43,91126–

141DeRidder, LALA36,67326–

142El Centro, CACA181,41126–

143Mineral Wells, TXTX30,79126–

144Eufaula, ALAL26,86127–

145Camden, ARAR26,36327–

146Elkins, WVWV26,88227–

147Beatrice, NENE21,71127–

148Marinette, WIWI65,51527–

149Le Mars, IAIA25,69727–

150Boise City, IDID864,24327–

151Cheyenne, WYWY102,93827–

152Twin Falls, IDID123,90127–

153Bonham, TXTX39,26528–

154Grand Junction, COCO162,84528–

155Worthington, MNMN22,33828–

156Eagle Pass, TXTX58,82328–

157Moscow, IDID41,84228–

158Beeville, TXTX32,51529–

159Great Falls, MTMT85,02929–

160Hays, KSKS29,07529–

161Borger, TXTX19,63329–

162Natchitoches, LALA36,08929–

163Liberal, KSKS21,07329–

164Kearney, NENE57,96230–

165Norfolk, NENE49,22830–

166Paris, TXTX63,31930–

167Hilo, HIHI210,04330–

168Raymondville, TXTX19,97130–

169Grand Forks, NDND105,04630–

170McPherson, KSKS30,06430–

171Spencer, IAIA16,20231–

172McAlester, OKOK43,32031–

173Marshall, MOMO23,26531–

174Brookings, SDSD37,63532–

175Duluth, MNMN281,21932–

176Vermillion, SDSD15,03132–

177Fairmont, MNMN19,44032–

178Escanaba, MIMI36,58232–

179Reno, NVNV578,73432–

180Hood River, OROR23,72032–

181Port Angeles, WAWA78,20232–

182Arkansas City, KSKS34,38233–

183Shawano, WIWI45,75933–

184Great Bend, KSKS24,79033–

185Kerrville, TXTX54,03733–

186Kirksville, MOMO29,82433–

187Watertown, SDSD29,56233–

188Greeley, COCO378,42633–

189Rio Grande City, TXTX66,31933–

190Eureka, CACA131,64733–

191Magnolia, ARAR21,89434–

192Aberdeen, WAWA78,14434–

193Bay City, TXTX36,46334–

194West Plains, MOMO40,79834–

195Cadillac, MIMI49,71934–

196Mexico, MOMO24,52834–

197Kingsville, TXTX30,31534–

198Lewiston, IDID65,45035–

199Marshall, MNMN25,68435–

200Storm Lake, IAIA20,44935–

201Jesup, GAGA32,48135–

202Gainesville, TXTX44,46135–

203Durant, OKOK51,36735–

204Lebanon, MOMO36,94336–

205Las Cruces, NMNM229,09136–

206Altus, OKOK24,76436–

207Columbus, NENE46,58336–

208Big Spring, TXTX30,50436–

209Brownwood, TXTX38,71136–

210Russellville, ARAR84,93237–

211El Campo, TXTX42,06037–

212Yankton, SDSD23,63537–

213Arcadia, FLFL37,07837–

214Sulphur Springs, TXTX39,06338–

215Port Lavaca, TXTX19,59938–

216Carroll, IAIA20,30338–

217Pontiac, ILIL35,05738–

218Oskaloosa, IAIA21,88038–

219Coos Bay, OROR63,99238–

220Greenwood, MSMS34,91238–

221Salina, KSKS59,12138–

222Walla Walla, WAWA62,36138–

223Grants Pass, OROR87,86738–

224Douglas, GAGA52,86138–

225Ottawa, KSKS26,29938–

226Okeechobee, FLFL42,60839–

227Amarillo, TXTX276,23539–

228Natchez, MSMS54,72239–

229San Angelo, TXTX122,06539–

230Redding, CACA181,64839–

231Jacksonville, TXTX53,33739–

232Spirit Lake, IAIA18,07739–

233Marquette, MIMI68,06439–

234Atchison, KSKS16,17239–

235Grand Island, NENE78,07639–

236Waycross, GAGA57,67039–

237Corsicana, TXTX57,18140–

238Laredo, TXTX281,22440–

239Newport, OROR50,63640–

240Albany, OROR132,84340–

241Hannibal, MOMO38,96940–

242Oxford, MSMS71,97240–

243Shelton, WAWA71,16540–

244Astoria, OROR40,92640–

245Clearlake, CACA67,77240–

246Branson, MOMO57,00140–

247Sparta, WIWI46,57241–

248Batesville, ARAR38,78541–

249Grenada, MSMS30,22241–

250Troy, ALAL33,68841–

251Massena, NYNY105,48842–

252Lock Haven, PAPA37,87042–

253St. Marys, PAPA29,92642–

254Menomonie, WIWI46,22342–

255Malvern, ARAR33,45142–

256Bainbridge, GAGA29,43243–

257Platteville, WIWI52,44643–

258Bangor, MEME157,96743–

259Brenham, TXTX38,28843–

260Logan, UTUT160,88943–

261Dublin, GAGA60,35144–

262Russellville, ALAL32,44944–

263Yakima, WAWA259,18544–

264Canton, ILIL32,90144–

265New Ulm, MNMN25,51744–

266Scottsboro, ALAL54,28144–

267Forrest City, ARAR21,80045–

268El Dorado, ARAR36,92645–

269Alexandria, MNMN40,12045–

270Palestine, TXTX59,80545–

271Tahlequah, OKOK49,19645–

272Mount Vernon, WAWA132,97546–

273Monticello, ININ25,16446–

274Victoria, TXTX99,86446–

275Albert Lea, MNMN30,44047–

276Rice Lake, WIWI46,48447–

277Butte-Silver Bow, MTMT36,11847–

278Ada, OKOK38,52847–

279Dixon, ILIL32,91447–

280Picayune, MSMS59,36348–

281Cleveland, MSMS28,26248–

282Kingsland, GAGA60,14348–

283Bradford, PAPA38,98448–

284Taylorville, ILIL33,44349–

285Duncan, OKOK44,31049–

286Willmar, MNMN44,72049–

287Selma, ALAL35,14049–

288Fayetteville, TNTN36,85349–

289Paris, TNTN32,89650–

290Lebanon, NHNH224,50050–

291Hutchinson, KSKS61,53950–

292Lincoln, ILIL27,18250–

293Provo, UTUT773,42650–

294Moberly, MOMO24,51350–

295Huntingdon, PAPA43,00150–

296Mount Sterling, KYKY48,42851–

297Washington, NCNC44,67051–

298Warren, PAPA37,03851–

299Crossville, TNTN66,30051–

300Kennewick, WAWA324,33451–

301Warrensburg, MOMO56,67051–

302Jacksonville, ILIL37,38151–

303Hemlock Farms, PAPA62,80851–

304Lubbock, TXTX368,43151–

305Effingham, ILIL44,72751–

306Pueblo, COCO169,27752–

307Ludington, MIMI29,04052–

308Vidalia, GAGA36,18052–

309Brookhaven, MSMS35,01252–

310Santa Fe, NMNM156,90752–

311Sedalia, MOMO44,25452–

312Americus, GAGA33,39452–

313Ardmore, OKOK48,91052–

314Ponca City, OKOK43,49052–

315Rolla, MOMO45,24752–

316Austin, MNMN40,97153–

317Medford, OROR221,79553–

318Newberry, SCSC39,56153–

319Searcy, ARAR80,08553–

320Brattleboro, VTVT45,20453–

321Sayre, PAPA59,60053–

322Bennington, VTVT36,63053–

323Sioux Falls, SDSD314,63853–

324Lake City, FLFL74,09453–

325Alpena, MIMI28,85354–

326Petoskey, MIMI33,77554–

327Wichita Falls, TXTX149,44854–

328Enid, OKOK61,77954–

329Jefferson City, MOMO152,71254–

330Red Wing, MNMN48,19554–

331Abilene, TXTX185,42954–

332Pella, IAIA34,19254–

333Alexander City, ALAL40,95354–

334Fargo, NDND269,52855–

335Paragould, ARAR47,41155–

336Martin, TNTN33,26155–

337Mount Pleasant, TXTX57,07655–

338Starkville, MSMS62,06355–

339Glasgow, KYKY56,22455–

340Poplar Bluff, MOMO41,90456–

341Cambridge, MDMD33,62856–

342Quincy, ILIL74,14656–

343Mountain Home, ARAR42,98256–

344Tuscaloosa, ALAL281,85056–

345Fort Dodge, IAIA36,83856–

346Coeur d'Alene, IDID191,86456–

347Baraboo, WIWI66,65256–

348Mason City, IAIA49,71057–

349The Villages, FLFL157,77257–

350Murrells Inlet, SCSC65,91257–

351Campbellsville, KYKY38,40757–

352Lawrenceburg, TNTN46,91457–

353Clarksdale, MSMS19,84957–

354Lewisburg, TNTN38,07157–

355Laurel, MSMS82,28158–

356Nacogdoches, TXTX66,03558–

357Cape Girardeau, MOMO99,21558–

358Union City, TNTN30,06758–

359Enterprise, ALAL56,95359–

360Thomasville, GAGA72,95859–

361Pocatello, IDID91,59159–

362Kill Devil Hills, NCNC38,24559–

363Macomb, ILIL25,91660–

364Columbus, MSMS67,14460–

365Pittsburg, KSKS39,00860–

366Statesboro, GAGA97,97760–

367Oneonta, NYNY60,58960–

368Roanoke Rapids, NCNC63,02561–

369Rochelle, ILIL51,39961–

370Bellingham, WAWA236,39261–

371Mayfield, KYKY37,05061–

372Kennett, MOMO26,85561–

373Talladega, ALAL91,76461–

374Midland, TXTX193,13961–

375Valdosta, GAGA153,27662–

376Daphne, ALAL267,76162–

377Manhattan, KSKS136,12262–

378Eugene, OROR381,58462–

379Winchester, TNTN45,57963–

380Coshocton, OHOH37,18863–

381Lake of the Woods, VAVA40,08363–

382Traverse City, MIMI156,97263–

383McComb, MSMS52,64063–

384Greencastle, ININ37,87663–

385Pine Bluff, ARAR70,21163–

386Greensburg, ININ26,57663–

387St. Simons, GAGA118,52464–

388Blytheville, ARAR37,82864–

389Burlington, IAIA44,06164–

390Jonesboro, ARAR139,44064–

391Washington, ININ34,20964–

392Shelbyville, TNTN55,27364–

393Hinesville, GAGA91,87064–

394Olean, NYNY75,39064–

395Bogalusa, LALA44,93764–

396Albuquerque, NMNM925,27965–

397Visalia, CACA485,14665–

398Franklin, KYKY20,78865–

399Sikeston, MOMO49,97865–

400Cookeville, TNTN152,47765–

401Mount Vernon, ILIL36,14765–

402Miami, OKOK30,43865–

403Huntsville, TXTX83,84265–

404Fitzgerald, GAGA17,09965–

405Topeka, KSKS233,05265–

406Hutchinson, MNMN36,63165–

407Fremont, NENE38,05765–

408Rochester, MNMN231,18466–

409Texarkana, TXTX146,81666–

410San Luis Obispo, CACA282,36766–

411Gallipolis, OHOH29,07266–

412Meridian, MSMS85,41967–

413Rutland, VTVT59,65367–

414Bakersfield, CACA927,06867–

415Newport, TNTN37,88967–

416Marshalltown, IAIA39,89067–

417Moultrie, GAGA47,43867–

418Athens, TXTX88,59567–

419Big Rapids, MIMI42,32067–

420Sebring, FLFL111,12267–

421Brevard, NCNC34,21167–

422Washington Court House, OHOH28,55268–

423New Bern, NCNC127,35868–

424Dyersburg, TNTN36,32068–

425Hattiesburg, MSMS158,01468–

426DuBois, PAPA78,10068–

427Crawfordsville, ININ38,95468–

428Ottawa, ILIL145,90269–

429Alma, MIMI41,19069–

430Mankato, MNMN104,90769–

431Granbury, TXTX70,50169–

432Lake Charles, LALA244,65569–

433Lawton, OKOK127,59069–

434Glens Falls, NYNY124,37370–

435Bowling Green, KYKY197,18070–

436St. Joseph, MOMO119,17070–

437Dothan, ALAL156,26670–

438Fort Payne, ALAL74,08570–

439Minden, LALA34,94871–

440Summerville, GAGA25,30071–

441Corning, NYNY91,85571–

442Owatonna, MNMN37,46472–

443Monticello, NYNY80,58672–

444Fort Collins, COCO377,29272–

445College Station, TXTX287,47672–

446Longview, WAWA114,88572–

447Tucson, AZAZ1,074,68573–

448Centralia, ILIL36,38273–

449Hillsdale, MIMI45,73873–

450Somerset, PAPA72,00473–

451Hanford, CACA154,32773–

452Cordele, GAGA19,23773–

453Clinton, IAIA46,00273–

454Seymour, ININ47,37074–

455Henderson, KYKY57,18474–

456Corbin, KYKY150,04074–

457Van Wert, OHOH29,01374–

458Shawnee, OKOK75,10275–

459Wausau, WIWI139,43275–

460Cambridge, OHOH38,37975–

461Fort Madison, IAIA32,30675–

462Ocean Pines, MDMD54,45975–

463Somerset, KYKY67,38475–

464Fort Leonard Wood, MOMO54,44276–

465Alexandria, LALA147,95276–

466Monroe, LALA222,39076–

467Naples, FLFL417,13176–

468McMinnville, TNTN43,71776–

469Winona, MNMN50,52376–

470Frankfort, ININ33,32276–

471Orangeburg, SCSC83,17777–

472Stevens Point, WIWI71,94377–

473Vincennes, ININ35,65277–

474Tupelo, MSMS133,16778–

475Sioux City, IAIA145,73878–

476Galesburg, ILIL47,76779–

477North Wilkesboro, NCNC66,23379–

478La Crosse, WIWI171,18279–

479Winchester, VAVA152,33279–

480Corinth, MSMS34,56979–

481Key West, FLFL80,40679–

482Houma, LALA199,66880–

483Waco, TXTX308,80780–

484Columbia, MOMO219,06280–

485Murray, KYKY39,42180–

486Barre, VTVT59,65280–

487Tifton, GAGA51,23780–

488Athens, TNTN71,59081–

489Tullahoma, TNTN69,33981–

490Paducah, KYKY102,25981–

491Marion, NCNC45,19881–

492Thomaston, GAGA28,50081–

493Vicksburg, MSMS41,75981–

494Coldwater, MIMI45,99382–

495Truckee, CACA101,91182–

496Kapaa, HIHI73,40083–

497Madison, ININ33,27983–

498Ottumwa, IAIA35,21083–

499Hilton Head Island, SCSC242,96683–

500Plattsburgh, NYNY78,13883–

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 lowest population density?

Pahrump, NV ranks #1 with 1 (1990 Decennial Census).

What are the top 5 metro areas by population density?

Pahrump, NV, Winnemucca, NV, Elko, NV, Bishop, CA, Ruidoso, NM.

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.