New York City is still the most populous city in the U.S., with 8,258,035 people as of July 1, 2023¹. Los Angeles comes second with 3,820,914 residents¹. Chicago ranks third with 2,664,452 people¹. This section will look at the top 10 cities by population and discuss trends in urban growth.

The Most Populous Cities in the United States 2022

America’s Largest Cities by Population

Top 10 Most Populated Cities

The United States has some of the biggest cities globally. The latest numbers show the top 10 most populated cities in America are:

1. New York City, New York (8,335,897)²
2. Los Angeles, California (3,822,238)²
3. Chicago, Illinois (2,665,039)²
4. Houston, Texas (2,302,878)²
5. Phoenix, Arizona (1,644,409)²
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1,567,258)²
7. San Antonio, Texas (1,472,909)²
8. San Diego, California (1,381,162)²
9. Dallas, Texas (1,299,544)²
10. Austin, Texas (974,447)²

These cities are home to over 19% of the U.S. population, as Ballotpedia’s analysis shows². They are major hubs where many people live and work.

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The data shows a big concentration of people in these cities². These cities make up over 19% of the U.S. population, as Ballotpedia’s analysis reveals².

“The United States is home to some of the largest and most populated cities in the world.”

The table above shows the 2020 population estimates and 2024 projections for the top 10 cities². This data gives insights into the growth and trends in these major cities.

Mayoral Leadership in Major U.S. Cities

Mayors in America’s biggest cities come from different political backgrounds. Ballotpedia found that 64 of the 100 biggest cities have Democratic mayors. Twenty-two have Republican mayors, and 14 have nonpartisan or unknown affiliations³. This section looks at the leadership in major cities, their political leanings, and how they shape their futures.

The 100 largest U.S. cities have about 64.5 million people, which is 19.47% of the country’s population⁴. These cities have different government types, including 47 strong mayor governments and 46 council-manager governments⁴. As of September 2024, 63 mayors are Democrats, 25 are Republicans, and there are others⁴.

Most people, 76%, live in cities with Democratic mayors, while 16% live in Republican-governed cities⁴. The longest-serving mayor is Allen Joines (D) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, since 2001⁴.

Women are becoming more common as mayors in big cities. By May 2024, 26.8% of mayors in cities over 30,000 people were women⁵. Karen Bass from Los Angeles is the highest-ranking female mayor, leading the second-largest city in the U.S⁵.. California, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina show a trend towards more female mayors⁵.

The growing diversity in mayoral leadership across the United States reflects the changing political landscape and the increasing representation of women and minority groups in local government.

“As mayors, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of our cities and communities. By working collaboratively, regardless of political affiliation, we can address the challenges facing our residents and ensure a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.”

The Most Populous Cities in the United States 2022

Population Trends and Growth Projections

New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago are still the top three cities in the U.S. But, some cities in the Sunbelt are growing fast. Phoenix, San Antonio, and Austin saw their populations jump by over 2% from 2020 to 2022⁶. On the other hand, cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland lost people during this time⁷.

This change is due to many reasons. It’s because of jobs, policies, and how people want to live. More people are moving to warmer places with better business opportunities.

The U.S. Census Bureau has the latest numbers on big cities⁷. New York City lost 4.6% of its people, going from 8.8 million to 8.34 million⁶. Los Angeles and Chicago also lost people, by 1.89% and 1.8%, respectively⁶. But, cities like Phoenix and San Antonio are growing. They attract people with lower costs, friendly business policies, and young residents.

Understanding these changes is key for leaders, city planners, and businesses⁶. The income and housing prices in these cities differ a lot. San Jose, CA, has the highest income and housing values⁶. This shows we need special plans to help our cities face these challenges.

FAQ

What are the most populous cities in the United States?

The U.S. Census Bureau has the latest numbers. The top 10 cities in the U.S. as of 2022 are:

1. New York City, New York (8,335,897)

2. Los Angeles, California (3,822,238)

3. Chicago, Illinois (2,665,039)

4. Houston, Texas (2,302,878)

5. Phoenix, Arizona (1,644,409)

6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1,567,258)

7. San Antonio, Texas (1,472,909)

8. San Diego, California (1,381,162)

9. Dallas, Texas (1,299,544)

10. Austin, Texas (974,447)

What percentage of the U.S. population do the top 10 most populated cities account for?

The top 10 cities make up over 19% of the U.S. urban population. This is based on Ballotpedia’s analysis.

What political affiliations do the mayors of the largest U.S. cities have?

Ballotpedia found that 64 of the 100 biggest cities have Democratic mayors. 22 have Republican mayors. And 14 have nonpartisan or unknown affiliations.

What population trends have been observed in some of the largest U.S. cities in recent years?

New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago are still the top three cities. But, cities like Phoenix, San Antonio, and Austin are growing fast. Their populations have increased by over 2% since the 2020 census.

On the other hand, cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland have seen their populations drop slightly. This happened between the 2020 census and 2022 estimates.

Source Links

1. List of United States cities by population
2. Largest US Cities by Population 2024
3. List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States
4. List of current mayors of the top 100 cities in the United States
5. Women Mayors in U.S. Cities 2024
6. 10 Largest Cities in the U.S.
7. Top 300 Largest Cities in the U.S by Population 2023 – Moving.com