New York City: Largest by Population, Not Land Area

New York City is the most populous U.S. city (8.8M, 2022) but not the largest by land area.

Population Ranking (2022)

1. New York, NY – 8,804,000
2. Los Angeles, CA – 3,899,000
3. Chicago, IL – 2,746,000
4. Houston, TX – 2,304,000
5. Phoenix, AZ – 1,644,000

Land Area Ranking

1. Los Angeles, CA – 469 sq mi (1,214 km²)
2. New York, NY – 302 sq mi (783 km²)
3. Phoenix, AZ – 518 sq mi
4. Houston, TX – 637 sq mi
5. Oklahoma City, OK – 607 sq mi

Why the Confusion?

• NYC's density (29,000/sq mi) dwarfs LA (8,300/sq mi)
• NYC's metro (20M) and cultural dominance amplify perception
• "Biggest" colloquially means "most important," not "most acres"

NYC comprises five boroughs (counties) consolidated in 1898. LA's sprawl reflects post-WWII auto-centric growth; NYC's density reflects pre-auto transit and geographic constraints (islands).