List of most populous cities in the United States by decade

Population tables of U.S. cities
The skyline of New York City, the most populous city in the United States
Cities
Population Area Density Ethnic identity Foreign-born Income Spanish speakers capitals By decade By state By decade/state
Urban areas
Populous cities and metropolitan areas
Metropolitan areas
563 primary statistical areas 175 combined statistical areas 939 core-based statistical areas 384 metropolitan statistical areas 547 micropolitan statistical areas
Megaregions
See related population lists North American metro areas World cities States and territories
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This list tracks and ranks the population of the top 10 largest cities and other urban places in the United States by decade, as reported by each decennial United States Census, starting with the 1790 Census. For 1790 through 1990, tables are taken from the U.S Census Bureau's "Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990."^[1] For year 2000 rankings, data from the Census Bureau's tally of "Cities with 100,000 or More Population Ranked by Selected Subject" is used.^[2] The 2010 rankings are based on the 2010 census results.^[3]

The Census Bureau's definition of an "urban place" has included a variety of designations, including city, town, township, village, borough, and municipality. The top 10 urban areas in 1790 consisted of various places designated as cities, towns and townships. The top 10 urban areas in 2010 are all separate incorporated places.

This list generally refers only to the population of individual urban places within their defined limits at the time of the indicated census. Some of these places have since been annexed or merged into other cities. Other places may have expanded their borders due to such annexation or consolidation. For example, after the 1898 consolidation of New York City, the Census Bureau has defined all the boroughs within its city limits as one "urban place". Similarly, Philadelphia's population has included the census counts within both the former urban areas of Northern Liberties, Pennsylvania and Southwark, Pennsylvania ever since Philadelphia's 1854 consolidation.