The United States has had over 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases across the country. While the virus has spread to every corner of the country, infections have largely been concentrated in a few dozen population centers. The U.S. has 467 confirmed infections per 100,000 residents, yet the infection rate in dozens of major metro areas is far higher.
Using COVID-19 data from state and local health departments, along with population data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed confirmed COVID-19 cases in nearly 400 U.S. metro areas to identify the 50 cities with the most confirmed cases, adjusted for the population.Â
Because the coronavirus spreads much faster when people are in close contact, social distancing is “the only intervention we have currently to stop the epidemic,” according to Mark Siedner, associate professor of infectious diseases at Harvard University. Of the 50 cities with the most COVID-19 cases per capita, 40 have a population density greater than the nationwide population density of 91.4 people per square mile. As of May, states have been in very different stages of easing measures and opening their economies — some have allowed many businesses to reopen (albeit with restrictions), while others have kept stay-at-home measures in place for now. These are every state’s rules for staying at home and social distancing.
States are beginning to see the results of their social distancing efforts. A handful have averaged fewer than one new case per 100,000 residents per day throughout the week of 12-18 May. Others are still struggling, averaging over a dozen cases per 100,000 residents per day during that same time period. These are the states where the virus is growing the fastest.
Click here to see the cities with the highest number of COVID-19 cases
Source: Richard David Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons
50. Hammond, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 569 per 100,000 people (742 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 23 per 100,000 people (30 total deaths)
> Population density: 165 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 133,777
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49. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 581 per 100,000 people (55,395 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 25 per 100,000 people (2,425 total deaths)
> Population density: 1,325 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 9,497,790
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
48. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 619 per 100,000 people (2,486 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 49 per 100,000 people (195 total deaths)
> Population density: 155 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 436,341
47. Kankakee, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 624 per 100,000 people (693 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 31 per 100,000 people (34 total deaths)
> Population density: 164 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 110,024
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46. Lebanon, PA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 635 per 100,000 people (880 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 17 per 100,000 people (24 total deaths)
> Population density: 383 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 141,314
45. Houma-Thibodaux, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 636 per 100,000 people (1,341 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 51 per 100,000 people (108 total deaths)
> Population density: 92 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 209,136
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44. Monroe, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 638 per 100,000 people (1,304 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 25 per 100,000 people (52 total deaths)
> Population density: 90 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 176,805
Source: miroslav_1 / Getty Images
43. Flagstaff, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 643 per 100,000 people (901 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 46 per 100,000 people (65 total deaths)
> Population density: 08 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 142,854
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
42. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 643 per 100,000 people (4,316 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 17 per 100,000 people (112 total deaths)
> Population density: 186 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 655,409
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
41. Fargo, ND-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 653 per 100,000 people (1,547 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 09 per 100,000 people (21 total deaths)
> Population density: 84 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 245,471
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
40. Bowling Green, KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 660 per 100,000 people (1,136 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 12 per 100,000 people (20 total deaths)
> Population density: 107 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 177,183
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39. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 671 per 100,000 people (13,466 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 45 per 100,000 people (910 total deaths)
> Population density: 466 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 2,048,428
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
38. Baton Rouge, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 675 per 100,000 people (5,752 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 50 per 100,000 people (428 total deaths)
> Population density: 195 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 831,310
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
37. Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 684 per 100,000 people (1,838 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 45 per 100,000 people (121 total deaths)
> Population density: 483 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 265,429
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36. Green Bay, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 686 per 100,000 people (2,179 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 08 per 100,000 people (27 total deaths)
> Population density: 170 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 321,591
Source: aimintang / Getty Images
35. Dover, DE
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 708 per 100,000 people (1,238 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 30 per 100,000 people (53 total deaths)
> Population density: 298 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 178,550
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34. Goldsboro, NC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 709 per 100,000 people (879 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 13 per 100,000 people (16 total deaths)
> Population density: 224 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 123,248
Source: traveler1116 / iStock via Getty Images
33. Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 711 per 100,000 people (3,958 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 46 per 100,000 people (256 total deaths)
> Population density: 319 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 555,485
32. East Stroudsburg, PA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 756 per 100,000 people (1,267 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 53 per 100,000 people (89 total deaths)
> Population density: 276 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 169,507
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Source: Bbean32 / Wikimedia Commons
31. Greeley, CO
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 788 per 100,000 people (2,326 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 42 per 100,000 people (124 total deaths)
> Population density: 74 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 314,305
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
30. Harrisonburg, VA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 789 per 100,000 people (1,048 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 20 per 100,000 people (26 total deaths)
> Population density: 153 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 135,277
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29. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 829 per 100,000 people (50,967 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 33 per 100,000 people (2,015 total deaths)
> Population density: 937 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 6,251,240
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
28. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 829 per 100,000 people (50,293 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 60 per 100,000 people (3,616 total deaths)
> Population density: 1,319 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 6,096,372
Source: OlegAlbinsky / Getty Images
27. Kingston, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 868 per 100,000 people (1,557 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 38 per 100,000 people (69 total deaths)
> Population density: 159 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 178,599
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
26. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 890 per 100,000 people (10,767 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 105 per 100,000 people (1,275 total deaths)
> Population density: 798 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 1,206,300
25. Reading, PA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 896 per 100,000 people (3,735 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 63 per 100,000 people (262 total deaths)
> Population density: 486 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 420,152
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
24. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 908 per 100,000 people (7,576 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 60 per 100,000 people (501 total deaths)
> Population density: 574 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 842,913
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
23. Springfield, MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 916 per 100,000 people (6,423 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 91 per 100,000 people (639 total deaths)
> Population density: 380 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 631,761
Source: BehindTheLens / iStock via Getty Images
22. Yakima, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 951 per 100,000 people (2,370 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 30 per 100,000 people (75 total deaths)
> Population density: 58 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 251,446
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21. St. Cloud, MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 979 per 100,000 people (1,924 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 06 per 100,000 people (12 total deaths)
> Population density: 112 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 199,801
20. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,005 per 100,000 people (1,710 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 21 per 100,000 people (36 total deaths)
> Population density: 113 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 169,659
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19. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,044 per 100,000 people (16,869 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 20 per 100,000 people (330 total deaths)
> Population density: 1,018 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 1,621,337
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
18. Amarillo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,050 per 100,000 people (2,766 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 11 per 100,000 people (29 total deaths)
> Population density: 51 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 268,356
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
17. Worcester, MA-CT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,055 per 100,000 people (9,908 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 65 per 100,000 people (611 total deaths)
> Population density: 464 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 947,866
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Source: benedek / E+ via Getty Images
16. Farmington, NM
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,105 per 100,000 people (1,408 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 72 per 100,000 people (92 total deaths)
> Population density: 23 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 125,043
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
15. Gainesville, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,116 per 100,000 people (2,187 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 21 per 100,000 people (42 total deaths)
> Population density: 499 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 202,148
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14. Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,147 per 100,000 people (1,759 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 37 per 100,000 people (56 total deaths)
> Population density: 317 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 150,972
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
13. New Haven-Milford, CT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,213 per 100,000 people (10,427 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 98 per 100,000 people (838 total deaths)
> Population density: 1,422 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 857,620
12. Salisbury, MD-DE
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,245 per 100,000 people (4,969 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 36 per 100,000 people (142 total deaths)
> Population density: 190 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 409,979
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
11. Sioux Falls, SD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,321 per 100,000 people (3,375 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 16 per 100,000 people (40 total deaths)
> Population density: 99 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 266,100
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
10. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,355 per 100,000 people (65,218 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 88 per 100,000 people (4,235 total deaths)
> Population density: 1,380 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 4,875,390
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9. New Orleans-Metairie, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,422 per 100,000 people (17,965 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 99 per 100,000 people (1,250 total deaths)
> Population density: 395 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 1,270,399
Source: ChristianProhaska / Getty Images
8. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,538 per 100,000 people (14,522 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 123 per 100,000 people (1,160 total deaths)
> Population density: 1,511 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 943,823
7. Pine Bluff, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,602 per 100,000 people (1,479 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 30 per 100,000 people (28 total deaths)
> Population density: 45 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 90,306
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Source: Khtexg98537 / Wikimedia Commons
6. Albany, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,608 per 100,000 people (2,411 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 136 per 100,000 people (204 total deaths)
> Population density: 94 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 151,158
Source: aimintang / Getty Images
5. Trenton-Princeton, NJ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,632 per 100,000 people (6,018 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 114 per 100,000 people (422 total deaths)
> Population density: 1,642 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 369,811
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4. Grand Island, NE
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 1,985 per 100,000 people (1,500 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 52 per 100,000 people (39 total deaths)
> Population density: 47 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 85,104
Source: fdastudillo / iStock via Getty Images
3. Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 2,011 per 100,000 people (13,517 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 71 per 100,000 people (476 total deaths)
> Population density: 418 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 679,158
Source: GCShutter / E+ via Getty Images
2. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 2,290 per 100,000 people (442,351 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 155 per 100,000 people (30,040 total deaths)
> Population density: 2,889 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 19,979,477
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
1. Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 19, 2020: 2,720 per 100,000 people (3,907 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of May 19, 2020: 19 per 100,000 people (27 total deaths)
> Population density: 69 people per sq. mile
> Total population: 169,354
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