The Four U.S. State Capitals with "City" in Their Names
Exactly four U.S. state capitals include the word “City” in their official names. (Note: Kansas City is not a state capital—Jefferson City is Missouri’s capital.)
✅ The Four
| Capital | State | Population (2023 est.) | Fun Fact |
|---|
| Salt Lake City | Utah | 209,000 | Only capital with 3 words; HQ of LDS Church; 2002 Winter Olympics |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 702,000 | Largest “City” capital by population; 1995 bombing memorial |
| Jefferson City | Missouri | 43,000 | Named for Thomas Jefferson; Missouri River; Capitol dome modeled on US Capitol |
| Carson City | Nevada | 58,000 | Smallest MSA capital; independent city (not in a county); Kit Carson namesake |
❌ Common Mistakes
- Kansas City – Major city in Missouri/Kansas, but not a capital (Jefferson City = MO; Topeka = KS).
- New York City – Not a capital (Albany is NY’s).
- Los Angeles City – Not a capital (Sacramento is CA’s).
- Oklahoma City is often confused with “Oklahoma” the state.
📍 Other Capitals with “City” in Nicknames/Colloquial Use
- Mexico City (CDMX) – Federal district, not a state capital (but national capital).
- Guatemala City, Panama City, San Salvador (not “City”), Managua – national capitals.
- Indianapolis (Indiana), Oklahoma City (OK), Salt Lake City (UT) – only US state capitals ending in “-polis” or “City”.
🎯 Trivia
- All four are west of the Mississippi.
- Three named for people (Jefferson, Carson, Salt Lake → Brigham Young’s “City of Salt Lake”).
- Only Oklahoma City and Salt Lake City are their state’s largest city.
- Carson City is one of two independent-city capitals (other: St. Louis – not a capital).
So, if you’re counting “City” capitals: Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Jefferson City, Carson City. Four. No more, no less.
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