Biggest American Cities

Top 100 biggest American cities by population in 2025. Explore city rankings, key facts, demographics, and insights about the largest urban centers in the United States.

View Top 96 Biggest American Cities
  1. 1

    New York City

    8,478,072

  2. 2

    Los Angeles

    3,820,914

  3. 3

    Chicago

    2,611,928

  4. 4

    Houston

    2,325,481

  5. 5

    Phoenix

    1,673,162

  6. 6

    Philadelphia

    1,550,542

  7. 7

    San Antonio

    1,495,295

  8. 8

    San Diego

    1,388,320

  9. 9

    Dallas

    1,303,223

  10. 10

    Jacksonville

    1,008,485

  11. 11

    Austin

    979,882

  12. 12

    Fort Worth

    978,468

  13. 13

    San Jose

    957,706

  14. 14

    Charlotte

    935,017

  15. 15

    Columbus

    917,679

  16. 16

    Indianapolis

    905,288

  17. 17

    San Francisco

    808,988

  18. 18

    Seattle

    778,193

  19. 19

    Denver

    760,408

  20. 20

    Oklahoma City

    715,553

  21. 21

    Nashville

    707,091

  22. 22

    Washington

    700,413

  23. 23

    El Paso

    692,984

  24. 24

    Las Vegas

    670,352

  25. 25

    Boston

    650,706

  26. 26

    Detroit

    629,830

  27. 27

    Louisville

    624,444

  28. 28

    Portland

    621,222

  29. 29

    Memphis

    618,639

  30. 30

    Albuquerque

    561,008

  31. 31

    Baltimore

    556,688

  32. 32

    Milwaukee

    555,640

  33. 33

    Tucson

    551,452

  34. 34

    Fresno

    547,711

  35. 35

    Sacramento

    542,333

  36. 36

    Kansas City

    509,314

  37. 37

    Mesa

    508,958

  38. 38

    Colorado Springs

    494,413

  39. 39

    Omaha

    482,033

  40. 40

    Raleigh

    479,186

  41. 41

    Miami

    464,655

  42. 42

    Virginia Beach

    454,389

  43. 43

    Long Beach

    451,307

  44. 44

    Oakland

    433,288

  45. 45

    Minneapolis

    425,115

  46. 46

    Bakersfield

    418,981

  47. 47

    Tulsa

    411,749

  48. 48

    Arlington

    401,233

  49. 49

    Aurora

    399,841

  50. 50

    Wichita

    394,574

  51. 51

    New Orleans

    377,809

  52. 52

    Cleveland

    367,991

  53. 53

    Anaheim

    347,157

  54. 54

    Henderson

    343,382

  55. 55

    Riverside

    323,419

  56. 56

    Lexington

    322,570

  57. 57

    Stockton

    321,819

  58. 58

    Corpus Christi

    321,686

  59. 59

    Orlando

    320,742

  60. 60

    Irvine

    313,685

  61. 61

    Santa Ana

    310,227

  62. 62

    Cincinnati

    309,317

  63. 63

    Newark

    307,188

  64. 64

    St. Paul

    307,185

  65. 65

    pittsburgh

    303,207

  66. 66

    Greensboro

    302,545

  67. 67

    Lincoln

    296,839

  68. 68

    Durham

    295,479

  69. 69

    Jersey City

    292,449

  70. 70

    Plano

    291,250

  71. 71

    Anchorage

    288,004

  72. 72

    St. Louis

    283,526

  73. 73

    Chandler

    282,048

  74. 74

    Madison

    280,829

  75. 75

    North Las Vegas

    280,543

  76. 76

    Chula Vista

    280,516

  77. 77

    Reno

    276,693

  78. 78

    Gilbert

    275,411

  79. 79

    Buffalo

    274,591

  80. 80

    Lubbock

    266,873

  81. 81

    Chesapeake

    256,622

  82. 82

    Glendale

    252,626

  83. 83

    Scottsdale

    246,405

  84. 84

    Garland

    246,018

  85. 85

    Boise

    242,206

  86. 86

    Spokane

    231,378

  87. 87

    Norfolk

    231,106

  88. 88

    Richmond

    230,787

  89. 89

    Santa Clarita

    228,673

  90. 90

    Tacoma

    223,776

  91. 91

    Hialeah

    220,542

  92. 92

    Baton Rouge

    219,573

  93. 93

    Modesto

    218,776

  94. 94

    Des Moines

    214,133

  95. 95

    Fontana

    211,683

  96. 96

    Fayetteville

    210,137

Top 100 Largest U.S. Cities by Population in 2025

(Ranked by City-Proper Population – Latest Estimates)

Based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 Population Estimates (released May 2025) and adjusted projections for 2025 from World Population Review (December 2025 update), here's the definitive ranking of the 100 largest U.S. cities by population within municipal boundaries (not metro areas). This reflects net changes from July 2024 to July 2025, with Southern cities dominating growth amid migration trends.

"City proper" excludes suburbs - e.g., NYC's 8.5M vs. its 20M metro. Total U.S. urban pop over 100k: ~96M (29% of nation). Fastest growers: Texas/Florida (e.g., Princeton, TX +30.6%). Decliners: Northeast (e.g., NYC -0.9%).

Methodology & Sources

  • Data: U.S. Census Vintage 2024 (May 2025 release) + World Population Review 2025 projections (accounting for births, deaths, migration).
  • Ranking: Population as of July 1, 2025 estimate.
  • Growth: 2024–2025 % change.
  • Disclaimer: Estimates; final 2030 Census may vary. Excludes territories like San Juan, PR.

Key Insights for 2025

  • Sun Belt Surge: Texas (e.g., Austin +1.9%, Fort Worth +2.3%) and Florida (Jacksonville +2.1%, Orlando +2.2%) lead growth; 7 of top 15 fastest are there.
  • Decline in Legacy Cities: NYC (-0.9%), Chicago (-1.1%), Philly (-0.6%) lose residents to affordability.
  • New Millionaires: Jacksonville and Fort Worth crossed 1M in 2024–25; now 11 cities over 1M.
  • Density Leaders: NYC (27k/sq mi), SF (18k), Boston (13k).
  • Total Over 100k Cities: 342 (up from 333 in 2020).


Top 100 Largest U.S. Cities by Population (2025)

#1

New York City, New York

8,478,072
–0.9%

The Big Apple — Times Square, Wall Street, Central Park. Most densely populated city in America.

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#2

Los Angeles, California

3,820,914
–0.7%

Hollywood, beaches, tech scene — entertainment capital of the world.

Wikipedia →
#3

Chicago, Illinois

2,611,928
–1.1%

Windy City — skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza, O’Hare hub.

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#4

Houston, Texas

2,325,481
+0.8%

Energy capital, NASA, most diverse large city in America.

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#5

Phoenix, Arizona

1,673,162
+1.2%

Fastest-growing top-10 city; desert sun + tech jobs.

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#6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1,550,542
–0.6%

Liberty Bell city; historic core + healthcare hub.

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#7

San Antonio, Texas

1,495,295
+1.4%

Alamo city; strong military & tourism.

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#8

San Diego, California

1,388,320
+0.3%

Navy town, perfect weather, biotech boom.

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#9

Dallas, Texas

1,303,223
+0.6%

Tech & finance hub in the heart of Texas.

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#10

Jacksonville, Florida

1,008,485
+2.1%

Largest by land area in contiguous U.S. (840 sq mi).

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#11

Austin, Texas

979,882
+1.9%

Live music capital; SXSW & tech boom.

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#12

Fort Worth, Texas

978,468
+2.3%

Historic Stockyards; DFW metro growth.

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#13

San Jose, California

957,706
+0.4%

Heart of Silicon Valley; tech giants.

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#14

Charlotte, North Carolina

935,017
+1.8%

Banking powerhouse; NASCAR country.

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#15

Columbus, Ohio

917,679
+0.7%

Ohio State University; state capital.

Wikipedia →

MAPS

Most Dangerous Cities in America (Violent Crime Rate per 100k)
MAPS / Dec 9, 2025

Most Dangerous Cities in America (Violent Crime Rate per 100k)

Top 100 most dangerous U.S. cities in 2024 ranked by violent crime rates per 100,000 residents. Violent crime - Murder and Nonnegligent, manslaughter, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated assault