Urbanization in the United States

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Urban and rural populations in the United States (1790 to 2010)[1]
Choropleth map of urban population as percentage of US states and D.C. total population in 2020

The urbanization of the United States has progressed throughout its entire history. Over the last two centuries, the United States of America has been transformed from a predominantly rural, agricultural nation into an urbanized, industrial one.[2] This was largely due to the Industrial Revolution in the United States (and parts of Western Europe) in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and the rapid industrialization which the United States experienced as a result. In 1790, only about one out of every twenty Americans (on average) lived in urban areas (cities), but this ratio had dramatically changed to one out of four by 1870, one out of two by 1920, two out of three in the 1960s, and four out of five in the 2000s.[2]

Urbanization[edit]

The urbanization of the United States occurred over a period of many years, with the nation only attaining urban-majority status between 1910 and 1920.[2] Currently, over four-fifths of the U.S. population resides in urban areas, a percentage which is still increasing today.[2] The United States Census Bureau changed its classification and definition of urban areas in 1950 and again in 1990, and caution is thus advised when comparing urban data from different time periods.[2][3]

Urbanization was fastest in the Northeastern United States, which acquired an urban majority by 1880.[2] Some Northeastern U.S. states had already acquired an urban majority before then, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island (majority-urban by 1850),[4][5] and New York (majority-urban since about 1870). The Midwestern and Western United States became urban majority in the 1910s, while the Southern United States only became urban-majority after World War II, in the 1950s.[2]

The Western U.S. is the most urbanized part of the country today, followed closely by the Northeastern United States. The Southern U.S. experienced rapid industrialization after World War II, and is now over three-quarters urban, having almost the same urban percentage in 2010 as the Midwestern United States.[2] Just four U.S. states (out of fifty) have a rural majority today, and even some of these states (such as Mississippi) are continuing to urbanize. Some U.S. states currently have an urban percentage around or above 90%, an urbanization rate almost unheard of a century ago.

The state of Maine (and Vermont, to a lesser degree) has bucked the trend towards greater urbanization which is exhibited throughout the rest of the United States. Maine's highest urban percentage ever was less than 52% (in 1950), and today less than 39% of the state's population resides in urban areas. Maine is currently the least urban U.S. state; its urban percentage (39%) is less than half of the United States average (81%).[2] Maine was less urban than the United States average in every U.S. census since the first one in 1790.[2]

Historical statistics[edit]

The data in this table/section are all from the U.S. Census Bureau. Note that the definition[definition needed] of urban population has changed over time.[6] New definitions were used for the Censuses conducted for 1900, 1950, 2000, and 2020.

a^ This datum is from 1899 instead of from 1900.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Urban and rural populations in the United States". Our World in Data. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o United States Summary: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. pp. 20–26. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Population Division Working Paper - Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990 - U.S. Census Bureau". Census.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-08-12. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  4. ^ a b c Massachusetts: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Rhode Island: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  6. ^ US Census Bureau, Census History Staff. "Urban and Rural Areas - History - U.S. Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  7. ^ Bureau, US Census. "Urban and Rural". Census.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  8. ^ Alabama: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Alaska: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Arizona: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  11. ^ Arkansas: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  12. ^ California: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Colorado: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  14. ^ Connecticut: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  15. ^ Delaware: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  16. ^ District of Columbia: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Florida: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Georgia: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  19. ^ Hawaii: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  20. ^ Idaho: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  21. ^ Illinois: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  22. ^ Indiana: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  23. ^ Iowa: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  24. ^ Kansas: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  25. ^ Kentucky: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  26. ^ Louisiana: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  27. ^ Maine: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  28. ^ Maryland: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  29. ^ Michigan: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  30. ^ Minnesota: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  31. ^ Mississippi: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  32. ^ Missouri: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  33. ^ Montana: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Nebraska: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Nevada: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  36. ^ New Hampshire: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  37. ^ New Jersey: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  38. ^ New Mexico: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  39. ^ New York: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  40. ^ North Carolina: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  41. ^ North Dakota: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  42. ^ Ohio: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  43. ^ Oklahoma: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  44. ^ Oregon: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  45. ^ Pennsylvania: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  46. ^ South Carolina: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  47. ^ South Dakota: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  48. ^ Tennessee: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  49. ^ Texas: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  50. ^ Utah: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  51. ^ Vermont: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  52. ^ Virginia: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  53. ^ Washington: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  54. ^ West Virginia: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  55. ^ Wisconsin: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  56. ^ Wyoming: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  57. ^ Puerto Rico: 2010 (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2023.