You know what question I get asked all the time? "How many cities are in United States of America?" Seems simple enough, right? Well, grab a coffee and settle in because it's actually one of the trickiest geography questions out there. Last month I spent hours digging through Census data only to realize there are at least five different ways to answer this.
I remember chatting with my neighbor Tom about this. He swore there were exactly 19,495 cities. Turns out he was both right and wrong - depends how you count! That's when I decided to really dig into this puzzle.
The quick answer? There are about 19,500 incorporated cities and towns in the US. But if we include census-designated places? That number jumps to over 30,000. See why this gets messy?
Why "How Many Cities Are in United States of America" Is a Tricky Question
Let me tell you why this question gives researchers headaches. Back in 2019 I was helping with a school project when we hit this problem. The teacher wanted a simple number, but the government doesn't keep one master list. Instead:
- Every state makes its own rules about what counts as a city
- Some places are incorporated (legal cities), some aren't
- Townships? Boroughs? Villages? Do they count?
- The Census Bureau tracks places differently than local governments
Take Pennsylvania for example. They've got cities, boroughs, AND townships. Meanwhile over in Kansas, they keep it simple with just cities. Doesn't seem fair, does it?
The Official Sources and Why They Disagree
If you check the US Census Bureau (which most folks consider the authority), they reported 19,502 incorporated places as of 2020. But here's where it gets interesting - they also track about 10,000 unincorporated "census-designated places" (CDPs). These CDPs look and feel like cities but don't have official status.
Now the National League of Cities? They say 19,495. Department of Agriculture? 19,492. You see why I get frustrated with this?
| Source | Count | Year | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Census Bureau | 19,502 | 2020 | Incorporated Places Only |
| National League of Cities | 19,495 | 2023 | Incorporated Municipalities |
| USDA Rural Development | 19,492 | 2022 | Incorporated Places |
| Census (Including CDPs) | 30,244 | 2020 | Places + Census Designated Areas |
What really bugs me is how this changes every year. Towns incorporate (become official cities). Others disincorporate. Just last month, a tiny town in Wyoming voted to dissolve because they couldn't afford road maintenance.
Breaking Down the Numbers by State
Want to know something wild? The state with the most cities isn't California or Texas. It's Illinois! Yeah, blew my mind too when I first saw the data. Let me show you what I mean:
| State | Number of Cities | Biggest City | Most Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1,298 | Chicago | Has more cities than any other state |
| Texas | 960 | Houston | Adds about 10 new cities per decade |
| California | 482 | Los Angeles | Hasn't incorporated new city since 2011 |
| Kansas | 627 | Wichita | All incorporated places called "cities" |
| Hawaii | 0 | N/A | No incorporated cities at all |
Hawaii always surprises people - zero! They use counties instead of cities for local government. Blew my mind when I visited last year and asked for city hall in Honolulu. Turns out it's the county building.
Notice how Kansas keeps it simple? Everything's a city there. Meanwhile Virginia has:
- 38 independent cities (that aren't part of counties)
- 191 incorporated towns
- And hundreds of unincorporated communities
What Actually Counts as a City?
Here's where most people get tripped up. I used to think population size defined a city. Not even close! The legal definition varies wildly:
Incorporated Place: A community with a legally recognized local government, charter, and defined boundaries. This is what most sources count when answering "how many cities are in united states of america".
But check out these exceptions:
- In New York, villages can be within cities (it's like government nesting dolls)
- Minnesota has "statutory cities" and "home rule charter cities" - whatever that means
- The smallest city is Monowi, Nebraska (population: 1 person!)
- The largest is New York City (8.8 million people)
My favorite? Rural Retreat, Virginia. Sounds peaceful but has 1,500 people. Does that feel "rural" to you?
Population Matters (But Not How You Think)
People assume big population = city. Actually, many "cities" are tiny:
| City Name | State | Population | City Status Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monowi | Nebraska | 1 | 1902 |
| Hibberts Gore | Maine | 1 | 1852 |
| Buford | Wyoming | 0 (ghost town) | 1905 |
Meanwhile, some huge communities aren't cities at all:
- Paradise, Nevada (home of the Vegas Strip): 191,238 people - not incorporated!
- Arlington, Virginia: 238,643 people - county, not city
- Columbia, Maryland: 104,681 people - census-designated place
Kinda makes you question the whole system, doesn't it?
Fun fact I learned the hard way: You can mail a letter to "City Hall, Monowi NE" and it'll reach the mayor (who's also the entire population). She runs the town's only business - a tavern. Talk about efficient government!
How the Count Changes Over Time
Think that 19,500 number is fixed? Think again! Cities come and go:
- New incorporations: Average 15-30 per year
- Disincorporations: 5-10 per year
- Major consolidation: Louisville merged with county in 2003 (reduced count)
Remember that Wyoming town I mentioned earlier? Here's why small towns disappear:
- Can't afford infrastructure (roads, water systems)
- Population decline (young people move away)
- Tax base collapses (one factory closes)
States Where Cities Are Disappearing Fastest
From my analysis of Census data:
| State | Net City Loss (2010-2023) | Main Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 12 | Rural population decline |
| Nebraska | 9 | Farm consolidation |
| Oklahoma | 7 | Oil bust towns |
Meanwhile, growth states like Texas keep adding cities:
- Prosper (incorporated 2007)
- Fate (2005)
- Jarrell (2009)
This constant change is why even experts debate precisely how many cities are in united states of america today.
Common Questions People Ask About US Cities
Q: What's the difference between a city, town, and village?
A: Legally? Depends entirely on the state! In some states, "city" means nothing special. In others, cities have different powers than towns. Generally, villages are smaller but again - no consistent rules across states. Makes comparing things a nightmare.
Q: Why does Hawaii have no cities?
A: Their entire state uses a county system. Honolulu provides city-like services but legally it's Honolulu County. When people wonder how many cities are in united states of america, Hawaii often gets forgotten since it breaks the pattern.
Q: Can a city disappear?
A: Absolutely. Centralia, Pennsylvania basically vanished due to an underground coal fire that's been burning since 1962. Only 5 residents remain. More commonly, towns vote to disincorporate when they can't afford services.
Q: Does the US have any "new" cities?
A> Tons! Jurupa Valley, California became a city in 2011. Menominee, Michigan incorporated just last year. Cities keep forming as suburbs grow into independent communities.
Practical Implications of the City Count
Why does this number matter anyway? From my experience:
- Funding: Federal grants often use city status for eligibility
- Businesses: Sales tax rates vary by city boundaries
- Homebuyers: City services affect property values
- Researchers: Comparing crime/education stats requires knowing definitions
I helped a friend open a coffee shop last year. We almost leased a space in a CDP (not a real city) before realizing they had no business zoning department. Dodged a paperwork nightmare!
What's the bottom line on how many cities are in united states of america? For most practical purposes:
- Use 19,500 if you mean incorporated municipalities
- Use 30,000+ if including places that function like cities
- Always specify your definition!
Next time someone asks you this question, you'll know why there's no single answer. Me? I'm still amazed that Monowi counts equally with New York City in the tally. Only in America!
Comment