Which is the least crowded cities in the US? If your big city, little studio lifestyle is stressing you out, this list is for you (especially during the pandemic).
We crunched the numbers to see which cities in the US are the least congested.
The portal looked at all cities having a population of more than 50,000 people and a land area of more than 10 square miles, then divided the former by the latter to compute population density.
The city of Anchorage, Alaska, was chosen as the winner.
With 288,000 residents, Anchorage is Alaska’s most populous city, yet with just 169 people per square mile, there’s still room to grow.
least crowded cities in the US
If you’re ready to make a change and gain a bit more space, any of these US Cities With Lowest Population Density may be a good fit.
10. North Port
North Port, with its resort-city ambiance, is another example of a laid-back Gulf Coast municipality. The city, which is close to Tampa and Sarasota, has wonderful beaches and a laid-back vibe. If sand isn’t your thing, there are hiking trails and municipal parks to explore.
North Port is the only Florida community having an entire state forest inside its borders. We’re talking about an area of 8,000 acres here.
When it’s time to relax, the city tempts you with fresh seafood and locally brewed beer. Living here will keep you occupied without ever making you feel rushed.
On average, a one-bedroom apartment would set you back $1,577 per month.
- Residents Per Square Mile: 710
- Overall Population: 70,724
9. Port Arthur
Port Arthur is within a short distance from a thriving metropolis. Houston is about 90 miles west of here. The city’s greatest claim to fame is that it is home to the country’s largest oil refinery. We shouldn’t be shocked that Texas has anything that is the biggest.
Port Arthur, located on Sabine Lake near the Gulf of Mexico, is an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts. You may spend hours bird watching and prospering in a naturalist’s paradise with wonderful beaches and abundance of natural beauty.
It delivers the finest of Texas flair and Cajun food due to its proximity to Louisiana. Cultural history is important in this city, and you’ll reap the benefits of all the influences that have been absorbed.
A one-bedroom apartment costs roughly $657 per month to rent.
- Residents per square mile: 706
- Overall population: 54,280
8. Norman
The town of Norman revolves around one subject: football. Locals are particularly enthralled with the University of Oklahoma Sooners, who have won seven national football titles. Norman is a college town and a sports fan’s dream, but there’s so much more to see and do here.
Tornado chasers will find this city to be ideal. The National Weather Center, one of Norman’s main employers, is located there. Storms are studied here by meteorologists, climatologists, and others who want to improve their understanding of weather patterns and technologies.
While a one-bedroom apartment in Norman will set you back $712 per month, you won’t be spending much time there. The city has a vibrant artistic scene and a diverse cultural scene.
- Residents Per Square Mile: 698
- Overall Population: 124,880
7. Augusta
Is a green sport coat the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this city? You’re not the only one who feels this way. The Masters Tournament, held each year at Augusta National, is one of golf’s most prestigious competitions. Although tickets are difficult to come by, here’s an insider’s tip: if you can get in, the food and beverages during the event are a steal.
Aside from the green, there’s a lot to do here. Stroll down the Savannah River on the Augusta Riverwalk, but don’t forget to pay respect to James Brown, a hometown hero, at the Augusta Museum of History.
Are you already enchanted? Why don’t you stay a while? It will cost you around $1,013 each month to establish up shop in Augusta.
- Residents per square mile: 654
- Overall Population: 197,888
6. Casa Grande
Casa Grande offers inhabitants the finest of the state at a reasonable price in the midst of the luxury of some larger cities. Casa Grande, located midway between Phoenix and Tucson, is the perfect place to unwind and appreciate Arizona’s natural splendour.
Casa Grande, with its rural roots, still adheres to traditional values. A combination of retail, manufacturing, and agricultural may be found here. A one-bedroom apartment will set you back $892 per month on average.
The sun shines practically every day of the year in Arizona, so there’s never a lack of great weather for hiking, climbing, and taking in the natural beauty of the state. For those who like their outdoor pursuits to take place in a more planted setting, there are several city parks and even more golf courses.
- Residents per square mile: 535
- Overall Population: 58,632
5. Goodyear
Goodyear is an outdoor lover’s dream for individuals who enjoy being active in the sun. Residents may hike in Estrella Mountain Regional Park or experience a range of recreational activities in Canyon Trails Oasis, which is technically a Phoenix neighbourhood.
If baseball is your thing, spring training for the big leagues is held in Goodyear. Every year, two teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians, who will be renamed in 2022, come here to prepare. A pre-season game may be seen at Goodyear Ballpark.
For a one-bedroom apartment in Goodyear, the average monthly rent is $1,069 per month. It also means you’ll have quick access to all of Phoenix’s luxury, as well as a plethora of stores, restaurants, and local activities.
- Residents per square mile: 453
- Overall population: 86,840
4. Carson City
Carson City reminds us that Nevada is much more than desert landscapes and neon-lit casinos. Carson Community takes pride in the generations of citizens who have made this city home, thanks to its snow-capped mountains and closeness to Lake Tahoe.
In and around Carson City, there’s lots of hiking, skiing, bicycling, rafting, and other outdoor activities. Furthermore, the semi-arid environment allows for year-round outdoor enjoyment. Each season has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts, with less rain and more snow in the mountains than in the valley.
Carson City’s rich history, complete with its own recognised walking trail, provides citizens with a connection to the past that does not obstruct today’s culture. A one-bedroom apartment here costs roughly $1,412 per month to rent.
- Residents per square mile: 386
- Overall population: 55,916
3. Suffolk
Suffolk, with its rustic beauty and contemporary conveniences, is a short drive from Virginia’s East Coast beaches. Residents enjoy an easygoing and welcoming atmosphere thanks to lots of Southern hospitality.
Because of the city’s contemporary influence, there are many boutique stores, high-end restaurants, and other attractions in the downtown area. Because the Planters firm was founded in Suffolk, there is also a statue of Mr. Peanut.
Suffolk will keep you busy while you’re outside. Visit streams and parks, or take a boat ride. Spend a day exploring the Great Dismal Swamp, which features miles of paths and a diverse array of species (not to mention a great name).
To rent a one-bedroom apartment in Norfolk, you’ll have to pay an average of $1,276, each month.
- Residents per square mile: 230
- Overall population: 92,108
2. Buckeye
Buckeye is another Phoenix suburb with plenty of open space, making it the third Arizona city to top our list of least populated towns. Buckeye is a rapidly expanding community that supports both small and large industries, providing plenty of opportunities for job seekers.
This is another another destination ideal for nature enthusiasts, with more wonderful year-round weather than you’ll find in other areas. Thousands of acres of natural desert await hikers, climbers, and bikers in Buckeye. As you stroll through Buckeye Hills Regional Park, you’ll get vistas of the Sonoran Desert and the Gila River.
Golfers will enjoy their visit to the city. In Buckeye and the neighbouring regions, there are approximately 200 golf courses.
- Residents per square mile: 212
- Overall Population: 79,620
1. Anchorage
If you want to be in the middle of nothing, Anchorage is the place to be. Even though it is the state’s largest and most populous city, expect lots of space when you call this place home.
Anchorage may appear to have a more rural atmosphere due to the ice and lack of visitors, yet it excels at mixing its natural surroundings with modernism. As you walk to the movies, a restaurant, or a stylish store, you could spot a moose strolling about. As you approach a local fish market for some of the finest seafood available, a bald eagle may swoop overhead.
If you do find yourself in this situation, a one-bedroom apartment will set you back $1,234 per month.
- Residents per square mile: 169
- Overall Population: 288,000
50 Least crowed cities in US
Still looking for the ideal spot to settle down and stretch out a little? With this list of the 50 least crowded cities in US, you may cast a broader net.
| Rank | City | Population | Area (Square Miles) | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage, AK | 288,000 | 1704.68 | 168.95 |
| 2 | Buckeye, AZ | 79,620 | 375.26 | 212.17 |
| 3 | Suffolk, VA | 92,108 | 400.17 | 230.17 |
| 4 | Carson City, NV | 55,916 | 144.66 | 386.53 |
| 5 | Goodyear, AZ | 86,840 | 191.48 | 453.52 |
| 6 | Casa Grande, AZ | 58,632 | 109.67 | 534.62 |
| 7 | Augusta, GA | 197,888 | 302.47 | 654.24 |
| 8 | Norman, OK | 124,880 | 178.76 | 698.59 |
| 9 | Port Arthur, TX | 54,280 | 76.9 | 705.85 |
| 10 | North Port, FL | 70,724 | 99.58 | 710.22 |
| 11 | Chesapeake, VA | 244,835 | 340.8 | 718.41 |
| 12 | Dothan, AL | 68,941 | 89.4 | 771.15 |
| 13 | Yuma, AZ | 98,285 | 120.28 | 817.14 |
| 14 | Vineland, NJ | 59,439 | 68.42 | 868.74 |
| 15 | Columbus, GA | 195,769 | 216.39 | 904.70 |
| 16 | Huntsville, AL | 200,574 | 209.05 | 959.45 |
| 17 | Rio Rancho, NM | 99,178 | 103.35 | 959.63 |
| 18 | Jonesboro, AR | 78,394 | 79.87 | 981.52 |
| 19 | Columbia, SC | 131,674 | 132.21 | 995.95 |
| 20 | Palm Coast, FL | 89,800 | 89.87 | 999.22 |
| 21 | Apple Valley, CA | 73,453 | 73.19 | 1,003.59 |
| 22 | Peoria, AZ | 175,961 | 174.4 | 1,008.95 |
| 23 | Decatur, AL | 54,445 | 53.67 | 1,014.44 |
| 24 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 57,704 | 55.09 | 1,047.45 |
| 25 | Oklahoma City, OK | 655,057 | 606.41 | 1,080.22 |
| 26 | Kingsport, TN | 54,127 | 49.81 | 1,086.67 |
| 27 | Athens, GA | 126,913 | 116.36 | 1,090.69 |
| 28 | Waterloo, IA | 67,328 | 61.39 | 1,096.73 |
| 29 | Maricopa, AZ | 52,127 | 47.47 | 1,098.10 |
| 30 | Edmond, OK | 94,054 | 84.7 | 1,110.44 |
| 31 | Temple, TX | 78,439 | 69.01 | 1,136.63 |
| 32 | Lexington, KY | 323,152 | 283.65 | 1,139.26 |
| 33 | Auburn, AL | 66,259 | 58.07 | 1,141.02 |
| 34 | Lawton, OK | 93,025 | 81.03 | 1,148.03 |
| 35 | Abilene, TX | 123,420 | 106.79 | 1,155.73 |
| 36 | Flagstaff, AZ | 75,038 | 63.87 | 1,174.86 |
| 37 | Daytona Beach, FL | 69,186 | 58.41 | 1,184.49 |
| 38 | Battle Creek, MI | 51,093 | 42.61 | 1,199.08 |
| 39 | Jacksonville, FL | 911,507 | 747 | 1,220.22 |
| 40 | Galveston, TX | 50,446 | 41.22 | 1,223.82 |
| 41 | Kansas City, KS | 152,960 | 124.81 | 1,225.54 |
| 42 | Taunton, MA | 57,464 | 46.7 | 1,230.49 |
| 43 | Rocky Mount, NC | 53,922 | 43.79 | 1,231.38 |
| 44 | Montgomery, AL | 198,525 | 159.57 | 1,244.12 |
| 45 | Jackson, TN | 67,191 | 53.73 | 1,250.53 |
| 46 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | 55,865 | 44.43 | 1,257.37 |
| 47 | Charleston, SC | 137,566 | 108.98 | 1,262.31 |
| 48 | Duluth, MN | 85,618 | 67.79 | 1,262.99 |
| 49 | Saint George, UT | 89,587 | 70.4 | 1,272.54 |
| 50 | North Little Rock, AR | 65,903 | 51.5 | 1,279.67 |
The most crowded cities in the U.S.
Oh, you want crowds? Perhaps you’re planning for some post-pandemic living? Look no further. When germs are no longer a factor, pack right into these more crowded cities.
| Rank | City | Population | Area (Square Miles) | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | 8,336,817 | 302.64 | 27,546.98 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | 881,549 | 46.87 | 18,808.38 |
| 3 | Jersey City, NJ | 262,075 | 14.79 | 17,719.74 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | 692,600 | 48.28 | 14,345.48 |
| 5 | Miami, FL | 467,963 | 35.87 | 13,046.08 |
| 6 | Santa Ana, CA | 332,318 | 27.27 | 12,186.21 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | 2,693,976 | 227.63 | 11,834.89 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | 1,584,064 | 134.1 | 11,812.56 |
| 9 | Newark, NJ | 282,011 | 24.19 | 11,658.16 |
| 10 | Berkeley, CA | 121,363 | 10.47 | 11,591.50 |
Conclusion
To identify the US Cities With Lowest Population Density, we investigated at all locations in the United States with a population of over 50,000 people and a land area of at least 10 square miles.
The population density, or the number of people per square mile, was calculated by dividing each city’s population by its land area.
The U.S. Census Bureau provided the population and land area statistics. The Least Crowded Cities in the US are those having the lowest population density.
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