Five of the Largest Cities in America Are in Just One State – And It’s Not California

May 23, 2019 by Douglas A. McIntyre

New Census data released Thursday shows that New York is still America’s largest city, but among the biggest cities in the United States, five are in Texas. Two of these Texas cities are also among the fastest growing in the entire country.

New York’s population as of July 1, 2018, was 8,398,748. It was followed by Los Angeles at 3,990,456. In third place, Chicago had a population of 2,705,994, while Houston was at 2,325,502 and Phoenix at 1,584,138. Philadelphia ranked sixth with a population of 1,584,138.

San Diego also made the list of the 15 largest cities in America with a population of 1,425,976. San Jose, California, had a population of 1,030,119. Jacksonville made the cut with a population of 903,889. Columbus, Ohio, was among the top 15 with a population of 892,533. Next to San Jose, San Francisco rounded out the list of the top 15 with a population of 883,305.

Census comments on the new population show why Texas cities are likely to be among the largest and fastest growing. The headline of its new population report is “Fastest-Growing Cities Primarily in the South and West.” It is part of a series on population the Census has released recently.

San Antonio was the seventh largest among America’s 15 largest cities, with a population of 1,532,233. It was also one of the 15 fastest growing, adding 20,824 people. Dallas was the ninth largest city in the country, according to the new data. Its population hit 1,345,047. Austin ranked 11th on the list of largest cities with a population of 964,254. It was one of the 15 fastest growing cities for the period as well, adding 12,504. Fort Worth, just west of Dallas, was America’s 15th fastest growing city, with a population of 895,008 last year.

The Census also summed up that national trend: “The United States is a nation of both big cities and small towns. While only 4.0% (775) of all cities had a population of 50,000 or more in 2018, collectively they contained 127.1 million people — nearly 39 percent of the U.S. population.” And while some cities are growing, others are shrinking just as fast. Take a look at the America’s fastest shrinking cities.