As the United States has grown into a global superpower with the world’s third-largest population, its economic center of gravity has shifted to the west and south.
This interactive graphic ranks the 15 largest American cities from 1790 to 2025 using the most recent available data (2026) from the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 1790, all but two of the new country’s largest cities were located in the Northeast. In contrast, as of 2025 only two northeastern cities, New York and Philadelphia, remained in the upper echelon of American cities.
Click here to view the graphic.
Ranked: The Biggest U.S. Cities (1790-2025)
As the United States has grown into a global superpower with the world’s third-largest population, its economic center of gravity has shifted to the west and south.
This interactive graphic ranks the 15 largest American cities from 1790 to 2025 using the most recent available data (2026) from the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 1790, all but two of the new country’s largest cities were located in the Northeast. In contrast, as of 2025 only two northeastern cities, New York and Philadelphia, remained in the upper echelon of American cities.
Click here to view the graphic.
In The Media
The news media coverage posted is not necessarily endorsed or
06/10/2026
In The Media
The Census Project family mourns the passing of one of
06/08/2026
In The Media
The Census Bureau seeks follow-up comments on the Current Population
06/07/2026
View all Related