RANKING · 2000 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 918

Most sparsely populated, US metro areas · 2000

US metro areas with the fewest residents per square mile (2000). Winnemucca, NV leads at 2. 918 metro areas qualify in total. Wyoming carries 6 of the top 25 entries.

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SAME RANKING BYCities Counties States

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS 1990

01Winnemucca, NVNV17,2672+25%

02Bishop, CACA18,1582−2%

03Pahrump, NVNV57,3362+83%

04Elko, NVNV56,6822+34%

05Ketchikan, AKAK13,5493+2%

06Rock Springs, WYWY41,2674−3%

07Cody, WYWY31,1714+11%

08Riverton, WYWY39,4644+6%

09Ruidoso, NMNM19,8444+59%

10Steamboat Springs, COCO38,4515+29%

11Fallon, NVNV25,8515+34%

12Hailey, IDID32,4365+37%

13Town of Pecos, TXTX12,1385−17%

14Ontario, OROR60,0855+23%

15Las Vegas, NMNM30,3115+18%

16Jackson, WYWY36,5875+66%

17Baker City, OROR16,6585+9%

18Vernal, UTUT38,2786+14%

19Dickinson, NDND39,1426−3%

20Flagstaff, AZAZ144,3686+20%

21Brigham City, UTUT70,4057+17%

22Evanston, WYWY23,4157+6%

23Gillette, WYWY48,1457+15%

24Española, NMNM39,8327+20%

25Safford, AZAZ40,1577+26%

26Susanville, CACA28,1177+23%

27Laramie, WYWY38,5587+4%

28Silver City, NMNM27,2528+12%

29Alamosa, COCO27,8968+11%

30Deming, NMNM25,4078+38%

31Othello, WAWA21,4889+21%

32Andrews, TXTX18,9149−9%

33Pierre, SDSD20,5889+11%

34Alamogordo, NMNM70,3689+20%

35Mountain Home, IDID29,4659+37%

36Williston, NDND41,76710−6%

37Show Low, AZAZ109,94610+26%

38Guymon, OKOK20,32210+22%

39Jamestown, NDND21,41410−1%

40The Dalles, OROR26,31010+10%

41Roswell, NMNM63,36410+6%

42Cedar City, UTUT67,14110+62%

43Sheridan, WYWY33,24111+13%

44Klamath Falls, OROR70,27411+11%

45Payson, AZAZ53,80111+28%

46Helena, MTMT97,15311+19%

47Sterling, COCO20,65411+17%

48Fairbanks, AKAK93,97211+7%

49North Platte, NENE33,97211+6%

50Juneau city and, AKAK31,60911+15%

51Wahpeton, NDND23,01911−2%

52Lake Havasu City, AZAZ228,10212+66%

53La Grande, OROR25,90012+4%

54Anchorage, AKAK405,82112+20%

55Zapata, TXTX13,75312+31%

56Carlsbad, NMNM62,50912+6%

57Hereford, TXTX18,62612−3%

58Casper, WYWY80,52612+9%

59Burley, IDID49,30813+7%

60Hobbs, NMNM74,74913−0%

61Pampa, TXTX21,78613−5%

62Brookings, OROR22,62113+9%

63Huron, SDSD19,62414−7%

64Taos, NMNM34,56414+30%

65Gallup, NMNM68,11914+23%

66Price, UTUT20,68014+1%

67Aberdeen, SDSD41,58314−0%

68Minot, NDND75,69414−0%

69Del Rio, TXTX47,83514+16%

70Port Townsend, WAWA33,97014+29%

71Ellensburg, WAWA48,80315+25%

72Kalispell, MTMT115,42915+26%

73Heber, UTUT81,65515+76%

74Woodward, OKOK19,82715−3%

75Montrose, COCO44,59115+37%

76Rifle, COCO80,09915+38%

77Vernon, TXTX12,48115−3%

78Rapid City, SDSD156,93415+10%

79Hermiston, OROR93,72116+22%

80Bemidji, MNMN47,05516+15%

81Clovis, NMNM65,27016+7%

82Grand Rapids, MNMN45,40416+8%

83Uvalde, TXTX24,96317+11%

84Rexburg, IDID69,38017+14%

85Mitchell, SDSD25,91317+5%

86Sweetwater, TXTX14,11717−5%

87Lexington, NENE26,25518+21%

88Snyder, TXTX16,16218−12%

89Pullman, WAWA48,51219+5%

90Weatherford, OKOK39,05919−2%

91Sierra Vista, AZAZ126,33219+21%

92Red Bluff, CACA64,66519+13%

93Fredericksburg, TXTX28,52720+21%

94Bend, OROR266,37620+49%

95Blackfoot, IDID51,15320+11%

96Roseburg, OROR111,95120+6%

97Idaho Falls, IDID173,85120+14%

98Prescott Valley, AZAZ252,55221+56%

99Farmington, NMNM120,34021+24%

100Wenatchee, WAWA128,41421+26%

101Fort Morgan, COCO30,30621+24%

102Sandpoint, IDID54,42021+38%

103Elk City, OKOK22,15922+5%

104Plainview, TXTX36,70022+3%

105Dumas, TXTX21,89122+13%

106Bismarck, NDND139,75023+12%

107Billings, MTMT193,60323+15%

108Detroit Lakes, MNMN35,49723+8%

109Clewiston, FLFL61,54624+40%

110Emporia, KSKS34,83824+3%

111Sonora, CACA53,16025+12%

112Ukiah, CACA88,12225+7%

113Hastings, NENE40,57725+3%

114Sault Ste. Marie, MIMI36,08125+11%

115Edwards, COCO54,29125+90%

116Houghton, MIMI40,02825+3%

117Maryville, MOMO20,17425+1%

118Camden, ARAR26,36325−5%

119Scottsbluff, NENE36,27225+2%

120Durango, COCO56,89826+36%

121Bozeman, MTMT128,74026+34%

122Iron Mountain, MIMI30,57526+4%

123Missoula, MTMT128,69826+22%

124Alice, TXTX45,38326+3%

125Borger, TXTX19,63327−7%

126Beatrice, NENE21,71127+1%

127Elkins, WVWV26,88227+2%

128Arkadelphia, ARAR20,93827+10%

129Brainerd, MNMN100,56227+25%

130Spearfish, SDSD29,45927+6%

131Crescent City, CACA26,41027+17%

132Moses Lake, WAWA105,72728+36%

133Marinette, WIWI65,51528+5%

134Mineral Wells, TXTX30,79128+8%

135DeRidder, LALA36,67328+10%

136Centralia, WAWA88,06229+16%

137Grand Forks, NDND105,04629−6%

138Le Mars, IAIA25,69729+6%

139Fergus Falls, MNMN61,04129+13%

140Yuma, AZAZ224,44929+50%

141Worthington, MNMN22,33829+4%

142Gardnerville Ranchos, NVNV51,15429+48%

143Dodge City, KSKS33,99330+18%

144Great Falls, MTMT85,02930+3%

145Cañon City, COCO50,03930+43%

146Harrison, ARAR45,65430+18%

147Cheyenne, WYWY102,93830+12%

148Stephenville, TXTX43,91130+18%

149Eufaula, ALAL26,86131+15%

150Hays, KSKS29,07531+6%

151Fairmont, MNMN19,44031−5%

152Spencer, IAIA16,20231−1%

153Nogales, AZAZ50,02031+29%

154Garden City, KSKS37,50531+23%

155Natchitoches, LALA36,08931+7%

156Marshall, MOMO23,26531+1%

157Norfolk, NENE49,22831+6%

158Great Bend, KSKS24,79032−4%

159Breckenridge, COCO39,06932+66%

160Paris, TXTX63,31932+8%

161Arkansas City, KSKS34,38232−2%

162Moscow, IDID41,84232+14%

163Duluth, MNMN281,21933+2%

164Twin Falls, IDID123,90133+20%

165Vermillion, SDSD15,03133+3%

166Escanaba, MIMI36,58233+2%

167McPherson, KSKS30,06433+8%

168Kearney, NENE57,96233+11%

169Kirksville, MOMO29,82433+1%

170Magnolia, ARAR21,89433−0%

171McAlester, OKOK43,32034+8%

172Raymondville, TXTX19,97134+13%

173El Centro, CACA181,41134+30%

174Bay City, TXTX36,46335+3%

175Grand Junction, COCO162,84535+25%

176Bonham, TXTX39,26535+26%

177Liberal, KSKS21,07335+20%

178Aberdeen, WAWA78,14435+5%

179Altus, OKOK24,76435−1%

180Eureka, CACA131,64735+6%

181Storm Lake, IAIA20,44936+2%

182Marshall, MNMN25,68436+3%

183Brookings, SDSD37,63536+12%

184Marquette, MIMI68,06436−9%

185Kingsville, TXTX30,31536+4%

186Shawano, WIWI45,75936+10%

187Beeville, TXTX32,51537+29%

188Hilo, HIHI210,04337+24%

189Eagle Pass, TXTX58,82337+30%

190Port Angeles, WAWA78,20237+14%

191St. George, UTUT213,67037+86%

192Big Spring, TXTX30,50437+4%

193Mexico, MOMO24,52837+10%

194Carroll, IAIA20,30338−0%

195Watertown, SDSD29,56238+14%

196El Campo, TXTX42,06038+3%

197Pontiac, ILIL35,05738+1%

198Natchez, MSMS54,72238−1%

199Columbus, NENE46,58339+8%

200Atchison, KSKS16,17239−1%

201Lewiston, IDID65,45039+13%

202Hood River, OROR23,72039+21%

203Oskaloosa, IAIA21,88039+4%

204Coos Bay, OROR63,99239+4%

205Boise City, IDID864,24340+45%

206Kerrville, TXTX54,03740+20%

207Cadillac, MIMI49,71940+17%

208Greenwood, MSMS34,91240+5%

209Brownwood, TXTX38,71140+10%

210West Plains, MOMO40,79840+18%

211Durant, OKOK51,36740+14%

212Port Lavaca, TXTX19,59941+8%

213San Angelo, TXTX122,06541+6%

214Waycross, GAGA57,67041+5%

215Jesup, GAGA32,48141+19%

216Salina, KSKS59,12141+9%

217Yankton, SDSD23,63542+12%

218Gainesville, TXTX44,46142+18%

219Sulphur Springs, TXTX39,06342+11%

220Massena, NYNY105,48842−0%

221Hannibal, MOMO38,96942+5%

222St. Marys, PAPA29,92642+1%

223Lebanon, MOMO36,94343+20%

224Grand Island, NENE78,07643+8%

225Lock Haven, PAPA37,87043+2%

226Bangor, MEME157,96743−1%

227Grenada, MSMS30,22243+4%

228Astoria, OROR40,92643+7%

229Spirit Lake, IAIA18,07743+10%

230Redding, CACA181,64843+11%

231Platteville, WIWI52,44643+1%

232Ottawa, KSKS26,29943+13%

233Russellville, ARAR84,93243+19%

234Walla Walla, WAWA62,36143+14%

235Rio Grande City, TXTX66,31944+32%

236El Dorado, ARAR36,92644−2%

237Reno, NVNV578,73444+36%

238New Ulm, MNMN25,51744−0%

239Troy, ALAL33,68844+7%

240Canton, ILIL32,90144+0%

241Jacksonville, TXTX53,33744+14%

242Amarillo, TXTX276,23544+15%

243Corsicana, TXTX57,18145+13%

244Batesville, ARAR38,78545+10%

245Albany, OROR132,84345+13%

246Newport, OROR50,63645+14%

247Sparta, WIWI46,57245+12%

248Greeley, COCO378,42645+37%

249Las Cruces, NMNM229,09146+29%

250Albert Lea, MNMN30,44046−1%

251Forrest City, ARAR21,80046+3%

252Grants Pass, OROR87,86746+21%

253Cleveland, MSMS28,26246−3%

254Clearlake, CACA67,77246+15%

255Okeechobee, FLFL42,60847+21%

256Menomonie, WIWI46,22347+11%

257Bradford, PAPA38,98447−3%

258Oxford, MSMS71,97247+18%

259Bainbridge, GAGA29,43247+11%

260Selma, ALAL35,14047−4%

261Dublin, GAGA60,35148+11%

262Douglas, GAGA52,86148+26%

263Butte-Silver Bow, MTMT36,11848+2%

264Ada, OKOK38,52849+3%

265Russellville, ALAL32,44949+12%

266Malvern, ARAR33,45149+16%

267Warren, PAPA37,03850−3%

268Duncan, OKOK44,31050+2%

269Dixon, ILIL32,91450+5%

270Taylorville, ILIL33,44350+3%

271Monticello, ININ25,16450+9%

272Scottsboro, ALAL54,28150+13%

273Brenham, TXTX38,28850+16%

274Lincoln, ILIL27,18250+1%

275Arcadia, FLFL37,07851+35%

276Moberly, MOMO24,51351+1%

277Jacksonville, ILIL37,38151+0%

278Shelton, WAWA71,16551+29%

279Alexandria, MNMN40,12052+14%

280Hutchinson, KSKS61,53952+4%

281Willmar, MNMN44,72052+6%

282Yakima, WAWA259,18552+18%

283Palestine, TXTX59,80552+15%

284Rice Lake, WIWI46,48452+10%

285Huntingdon, PAPA43,00152+3%

286Ponca City, OKOK43,49052+0%

287Victoria, TXTX99,86452+13%

288Lebanon, NHNH224,50053+7%

289Washington, NCNC44,67054+6%

290Austin, MNMN40,97154+3%

291Enid, OKOK61,77955+2%

292Lubbock, TXTX368,43155+6%

293Sayre, PAPA59,60055+3%

294Alpena, MIMI28,85355+2%

295Bennington, VTVT36,63055+3%

296Fayetteville, TNTN36,85355+11%

297Effingham, ILIL44,72755+7%

298Clarksdale, MSMS19,84955−3%

299Paris, TNTN32,89655+12%

300Ardmore, OKOK48,91055+6%

301Macomb, ILIL25,91656−7%

302Mason City, IAIA49,71056−1%

303Logan, UTUT160,88956+29%

304Fort Dodge, IAIA36,83856−0%

305Brattleboro, VTVT45,20456+6%

306Brookhaven, MSMS35,01257+10%

307Cambridge, MDMD33,62857+1%

308Vidalia, GAGA36,18057+10%

309Tahlequah, OKOK49,19657+25%

310Americus, GAGA33,39457+9%

311Ludington, MIMI29,04057+11%

312Newberry, SCSC39,56157+9%

313Laredo, TXTX281,22457+45%

314Blytheville, ARAR37,82858−10%

315Sedalia, MOMO44,25458+11%

316Pella, IAIA34,19258+7%

317Wichita Falls, TXTX149,44858+8%

318Alexander City, ALAL40,95358+7%

319Quincy, ILIL74,14658+3%

320Warrensburg, MOMO56,67058+14%

321Red Wing, MNMN48,19558+8%

322Abilene, TXTX185,42958+8%

323Poplar Bluff, MOMO41,90459+5%

324Mount Sterling, KYKY48,42859+17%

325Pueblo, COCO169,27759+15%

326Rolla, MOMO45,24759+13%

327Manhattan, KSKS136,12259−4%

328Mount Vernon, WAWA132,97560+29%

329Union City, TNTN30,06760+2%

330Picayune, MSMS59,36360+26%

331Martin, TNTN33,26160+9%

332Starkville, MSMS62,06360+9%

333Laurel, MSMS82,28161+5%

334Tuscaloosa, ALAL281,85061+8%

335Kennett, MOMO26,85561+0%

336Oneonta, NYNY60,58962+2%

337Mount Pleasant, TXTX57,07662+12%

338Columbus, MSMS67,14462+3%

339Glasgow, KYKY56,22462+12%

340Fargo, NDND269,52862+14%

341Jefferson City, MOMO152,71262+16%

342Campbellsville, KYKY38,40762+9%

343Nacogdoches, TXTX66,03563+8%

344Branson, MOMO57,00163+55%

345Roanoke Rapids, NCNC63,02563+4%

346Cape Girardeau, MOMO99,21563+9%

347Pine Bluff, ARAR70,21163−0%

348Burlington, IAIA44,06164−0%

349Olean, NYNY75,39064−0%

350Enterprise, ALAL56,95364+8%

351Sioux Falls, SDSD314,63864+21%

352Paragould, ARAR47,41165+17%

353Lawrenceburg, TNTN46,91465+13%

354Sikeston, MOMO49,97865+0%

355Pittsburg, KSKS39,00865+8%

356Searcy, ARAR80,08565+23%

357Coshocton, OHOH37,18865+3%

358Medford, OROR221,79565+24%

359Kennewick, WAWA324,33465+28%

360Bogalusa, LALA44,93766+2%

361Greensburg, ININ26,57666+4%

362Baraboo, WIWI66,65266+18%

363Thomasville, GAGA72,95866+12%

364Midland, TXTX193,13967+8%

365McComb, MSMS52,64067+6%

366Gallipolis, OHOH29,07267+0%

367Talladega, ALAL91,76467+9%

368Mayfield, KYKY37,05067+10%

369Petoskey, MIMI33,77567+26%

370Rochelle, ILIL51,39967+11%

371Santa Fe, NMNM156,90768+31%

372Pocatello, IDID91,59168+14%

373Rutland, VTVT59,65368+2%

374Fremont, NENE38,05768+5%

375Murrells Inlet, SCSC65,91269+21%

376Marshalltown, IAIA39,89069+3%

377Crossville, TNTN66,30069+35%

378Meridian, MSMS85,41969+3%

379Kingsland, GAGA60,14369+45%

380Mountain Home, ARAR42,98269+23%

381Washington, ININ34,20969+8%

382Topeka, KSKS233,05269+7%

383Provo, UTUT773,42670+40%

384Fitzgerald, GAGA17,09970+8%

385Washington Court House, OHOH28,55270+4%

386Franklin, KYKY20,78870+8%

387Mount Vernon, ILIL36,14770+8%

388Texarkana, TXTX146,81670+7%

389Miami, OKOK30,43871+9%

390Minden, LALA34,94871−0%

391Ottawa, ILIL145,90271+3%

392Winchester, TNTN45,57971+13%

393Lake City, FLFL74,09471+33%

394Eugene, OROR381,58471+14%

395Corning, NYNY91,85571−0%

396Hutchinson, MNMN36,63171+9%

397Lewisburg, TNTN38,07171+24%

398Lawton, OKOK127,59071+3%

399Mankato, MNMN104,90772+4%

400St. Simons, GAGA118,52472+13%

401Clinton, IAIA46,00272−2%

402Van Wert, OHOH29,01372−3%

403Dyersburg, TNTN36,32073+7%

404Centralia, ILIL36,38273+0%

405DuBois, PAPA78,10073+7%

406Big Rapids, MIMI42,32073+9%

407Glens Falls, NYNY124,37373+5%

408Fort Madison, IAIA32,30674−2%

409Jonesboro, ARAR139,44074+15%

410Alexandria, LALA147,95274−3%

411St. Joseph, MOMO119,17074+6%

412Valdosta, GAGA153,27674+20%

413Alma, MIMI41,19074+8%

414Somerset, PAPA72,00474+2%

415Crawfordsville, ININ38,95475+9%

416Rochester, MNMN231,18475+14%

417San Luis Obispo, CACA282,36775+14%

418Greencastle, ININ37,87675+19%

419Lake Charles, LALA244,65575+8%

420Fort Leonard Wood, MOMO54,44275−0%

421New Bern, NCNC127,35876+12%

422Lake of the Woods, VAVA40,08376+21%

423Vincennes, ININ35,65276−2%

424Dothan, ALAL156,26676+9%

425Visalia, CACA485,14676+18%

426Monticello, NYNY80,58676+7%

427Cookeville, TNTN152,47777+18%

428Henderson, KYKY57,18477+3%

429Moultrie, GAGA47,43877+15%

430Hattiesburg, MSMS158,01477+13%

431Newport, TNTN37,88977+15%

432Plattsburgh, NYNY78,13877−7%

433Statesboro, GAGA97,97777+28%

434Brevard, NCNC34,21178+15%

435Traverse City, MIMI156,97278+23%

436Hillsdale, MIMI45,73878+7%

437Galesburg, ILIL47,76778−1%

438Cambridge, OHOH38,37978+5%

439Kill Devil Hills, NCNC38,24578+32%

440Monroe, LALA222,39078+3%

441Owatonna, MNMN37,46478+10%

442Hinesville, GAGA91,87078+22%

443Albuquerque, NMNM925,27979+22%

444Huntsville, TXTX83,84279+21%

445Bellingham, WAWA236,39279+31%

446Shelbyville, TNTN55,27379+24%

447Winona, MNMN50,52380+5%

448Cordele, GAGA19,23781+10%

449Key West, FLFL80,40681+2%

450Seymour, ININ47,37081+10%

451Summerville, GAGA25,30081+15%

452Bakersfield, CACA927,06881+22%

453Wausau, WIWI139,43281+9%

454Longview, WAWA114,88581+13%

455Orangeburg, SCSC83,17783+8%

456Fort Payne, ALAL74,08583+18%

457Shawnee, OKOK75,10283+12%

458Ottumwa, IAIA35,21083+1%

459Frankfort, ININ33,32284+9%

460Bowling Green, KYKY197,18084+20%

461Middlesborough, KYKY22,82984−5%

462Athens, TXTX88,59584+25%

463Stevens Point, WIWI71,94384+9%

464Corbin, KYKY150,04084+13%

465Paducah, KYKY102,25984+4%

466Vicksburg, MSMS41,75984+4%

467Barre, VTVT59,65284+6%

468Houma, LALA199,66885+6%

469Wabash, ININ30,71385−0%

470Hemlock Farms, PAPA62,80885+66%

471Thomaston, GAGA28,50085+5%

472Oil City, PAPA49,34685−3%

473Somerset, KYKY67,38485+14%

474Sioux City, IAIA145,73886+9%

475Muskogee, OKOK66,70886+2%

476Madisonville, KYKY45,12786+1%

477Sebring, FLFL111,12286+28%

478La Crosse, WIWI171,18286+9%

479Corinth, MSMS34,56986+9%

480Freeport, ILIL43,22087+2%

481Greenville, MSMS40,44687−7%

482North Wilkesboro, NCNC66,23387+11%

483Ozark, ALAL49,91288−1%

484Tifton, GAGA51,23788+10%

485Coeur d'Alene, IDID191,86488+56%

486Madison, ININ33,27988+6%

487College Station, TXTX287,47688+22%

488Watertown, NYNY111,54088+1%

489Daphne, ALAL267,76188+43%

490McMinnville, TNTN43,71788+16%

491Celina, OHOH42,73788+4%

492Sterling, ILIL54,12189+1%

493Tupelo, MSMS133,16789+14%

494Murray, KYKY39,42189+11%

495Greenville, OHOH51,52089−1%

496Meadville, PAPA81,79289+5%

497Waco, TXTX308,80790+12%

498Eau Claire, WIWI176,64790+8%

499Ruston, LALA48,36090+2%

500Coldwater, MIMI45,99390+10%

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?

Winnemucca, NV ranks #1 with 2 (2000 Decennial Census).

What are the top 5 metro areas by population density?

Winnemucca, NV, Bishop, CA, Pahrump, NV, Elko, NV, Ketchikan, AK.

How many metro areas are in this ranking?

918 metro areas qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability. The ranking covers 2000 Decennial Census data.

How is population density measured?

Residents per square mile of land area. Source: US Census Bureau, 2000 Decennial Census.