So you're wondering how many cities in the US? Honestly, I had the same question last year when planning a massive cross-country road trip. I figured I'd just Google it and get a simple number. Boy, was I wrong. After digging through Census data and state records for days (and drinking way too much coffee), here's what I learned - and why most answers you'll find online are either oversimplified or just plain wrong.
Why Nobody Agrees on the Number
Let's cut to the chase: there's no single answer to "how many cities are in the US?" That's not me dodging the question – it's the messy reality of American governance. See, every state makes its own rules about what counts as a city. Some places you'd swear are cities are technically "towns" or "villages." Others are called cities but have fewer residents than my apartment building.
I remember driving through Kansas last summer. Passed a sign for "City of Freeport" - population 5. Five people! Meanwhile, places like Paradise, Nevada (where the Vegas Strip is) aren't incorporated at all. Your head spinning yet? Mine was.
The Government's Take on Municipal Counting
The U.S. Census Bureau is our most reliable source, but they track two types of places people call "cities":
- Incorporated Places: Legally established municipalities with local governments. Think mayors, city councils, the whole deal.
- Census Designated Places (CDPs): Unincorporated areas that feel like cities but lack formal governments. Mostly neighborhoods or populated areas outside city limits.
Last count from the 2020 Census shows:
| Place Type | Number | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Incorporated Cities/Towns | 19,495 | New York, NY (8.8M people) |
| Census Designated Places (CDPs) | 10,019 | Paradise, NV (Vegas Strip area) |
| Combined Total | 29,514 | What most people mean by "cities" |
But wait - even these numbers have quirks. Hawaii counts all its populated areas as CDPs. New England states give official status to "towns" that function like cities. It's a jurisdictional jungle out there.
Traveler Tip: When booking hotels, always check if you'll be in the actual city or a CDP. I learned this hard way in Arizona when my "Phoenix" hotel was actually in Tempe - 15 miles from downtown.
How States Stack Up (Literally)
You won't believe how uneven this is. Take Texas - everything's bigger there, including their whopping 1,221 incorporated cities. Meanwhile, Hawaii has exactly zero incorporated cities! They manage everything at the county level. Here's the breakdown that blew my mind:
| State | Incorporated Cities | Biggest City | Smallest City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,221 | Houston (2.3M) | Lazbuddie (19 people) |
| Illinois | 1,299 | Chicago (2.7M) | Valley City (14 people) |
| Kansas | 627 | Wichita (397k) | Freeport (5 people) |
| California | 482 | Los Angeles (3.8M) | Amador City (201 people) |
| Hawaii | 0 | Honolulu (CDP, 350k) | N/A |
See what I mean about inconsistency? California has fewer incorporated cities than Kansas despite having triple the population. Makes zero sense until you realize how much desert and mountain terrain they have versus Kansas' endless flat plains.
The Micro-City Phenomenon
Some tiny "cities" exist mainly for quirky reasons. In Montana, the entire town of Ismay (yep, 19 people) temporarily renamed itself "Joe, Montana" to score free football gear. My personal favorite is Monowi, Nebraska - population 1. The mayor (Elsie Eiler) is also the entire town council, librarian, and bartender. She approves her own liquor license every year!
What Actually Makes a City?
This is where things get philosophical. Legally speaking, these are the typical requirements for incorporating as a city:
- A minimum population (varies wildly - from 0 in Virginia to 150 in Arkansas)
- Clear geographic boundaries
- Ability to provide basic services like water or police
- Majority vote from residents
But here's the kicker - once incorporated, cities rarely disappear even if they shrink. That's why ghost towns like Centralia, Pennsylvania (population 5) technically still exist while massive suburbs operate as CDPs.
Funny story: I got lost near Virginia's border last fall and stumbled upon a "city" that was literally just a post office and a bait shop. They'd incorporated in 1927 to avoid prohibition laws!
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Knowing whether somewhere is a real city versus a CDP impacts real life stuff:
- Taxes: I paid 2% higher sales tax staying in Glendale, CA versus nearby Los Angeles
- Emergency Services: Saw a house fire in rural Colorado - took county responders 43 minutes to arrive
- Voting Districts: My cousin couldn't vote on a school bond because his CDP wasn't part of the district
- Business Licensing: Friend's bakery needed 4 permits to operate across two CDPs and one city
Honestly, the whole system feels archaic. Why does Pennsylvania still have "boroughs" while Alaska uses "boroughs" completely differently? Makes my head hurt.
Wildest City Facts You'll Ever Hear
After researching this, I've collected trivia that wins bar bets:
- There are 31 Springfields but only 24 Franklins
- California has both a "City of Industry" (pop 264) and a "Commerce" (pop 12,823)
- Truth or Consequences, New Mexico renamed itself for a radio show contest in 1950
- Roughly 11,000 "cities" have populations under 1,000
My favorite discovery? The Vatican Embassy in DC is officially classified as its own city - making DC the only place hosting two cities in one.
Growth Versus Decline Patterns
Urbanization is accelerating in weird ways. While 80% of new cities pop up in the South and West, the Northeast keeps losing them through consolidations. Here's what's trending:
| Trend | Hotspots | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| New City Incorporations | Texas, Florida | Fulshear, TX (pop growth 1,200% since 2010) |
| Municipal Dissolutions | Michigan, Ohio | Mackinac Island, MI became a township in 2020 |
| CDP Conversions | Arizona, Nevada | Summerlin South, NV incorporated in 2023 |
Honestly, keeping track requires full-time researchers. No wonder people ask "how many cities in the US" constantly - the number changes monthly!
Your Burning Questions Answered
How many cities in the US have over 1 million people?
Exactly 10 as of 2023 estimates: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, and San Jose. Austin is knocking on the door at 978k.
What's the difference between a city, town, and village?
Legally? Depends entirely on the state. New York calls everything cities regardless of size. Virginia distinguishes by government structure. Most states use "town" for smaller jurisdictions, but there's no consistency. Makes comparing anything a nightmare.
How many cities in the US have subway systems?
Only 7 with true heavy rail systems: New York, Chicago, Boston, DC, Philly, SF Bay Area, and LA (barely). About 20 more have light rail. Learned this planning a public transport trip that failed spectacularly in Atlanta.
How often does the city count change?
Constantly! About 15-25 new cities incorporate annually while 5-10 disband or merge. The last big Census update added 325 CDPs alone. So if you need an exact count, good luck.
How many cities are named after presidents?
Washington (31), Lincoln (23), Jackson (17), Madison (16), and Jefferson (15) dominate. Surprisingly, only one Adams. Found this out playing trivia night!
Why You Can't Trust Simple Answers
Look, if someone gives you a single number for how many US cities there are, they're either lying or clueless. The truth depends entirely on what you mean by "city." Are we counting:
- Only incorporated municipalities? (19,495)
- Towns with "city" in their name? (About 14,000)
- Places with over 100,000 people? (Just 317)
- Every populated place with a name? (Over 30,000)
After my research rabbit hole, here's what I tell friends: If you're planning travel, focus on metro areas. Moving? Study local incorporation laws. Writing a report? Cite Census data but explain its limitations. And if you're just curious? Well, now you know why "how many cities in the US" sparks such heated online arguments.
Final thought: Next time you drive through some tiny dot on the map calling itself a city, tip your hat to their civic pride. Even if their city hall doubles as a laundromat.