Largest City in the United States: New York City

New York City is the most populous city in the United States, with 8.8 million residents (2020 Census) across five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

Why NYC Is #1

• Density: 29,000/sq mi (Manhattan: 74,000/sq mi)—unmatched in the U.S.
• Economy: $2T+ GMP (larger than most countries); global capital of finance, media, fashion, law, tech.
• Culture: Broadway, Met, MoMA, Carnegie Hall, 800+ languages spoken.
• Global Hub: UN Headquarters, 3 major airports, busiest port on East Coast.

Runners-Up

NYC has held the top spot since the first U.S. Census (1790).