United States Cities

Pittsburgh Skyline

Pittsburgh

United States Cities

Introduction to United States Cities

The cities of the United States form a dynamic network of culture, commerce, and innovation that stretches from coast to coast. Each city tells its own story—shaped by geography, history, and the people who call it home. From the skyscrapers of New York City to the coastal charm of San Francisco, urban America showcases a remarkable variety of traditions, cuisines, and lifestyles.

Many of the nation’s largest cities began as trading posts or ports and grew into centers of industry and technology. Cities like Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta became major hubs of transportation and business, while others such as Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. hold deep historical and political importance. Across the country, smaller cities and towns contribute to regional character and provide unique local experiences.

American cities continue to evolve through creativity and diversity. Urban planners, artists, and communities work together to balance growth with sustainability, preserving history while embracing change. Whether exploring iconic landmarks, attending cultural festivals, or experiencing the rhythm of city life, visitors and residents alike discover that U.S. cities reflect the nation’s enduring spirit of opportunity and connection.

U.S. Landmarks

Interesting Facts
Top Ten Largest U.S. Cities by Population Interesting Facts
Rank City State Approx. Population*
1🏙️New York CityNew York8.1+ million
2🌴Los AngelesCalifornia3.9+ million
3🏗️ChicagoIllinois2.7+ million
4⛽HoustonTexas2.3+ million
5☀️PhoenixArizona1.7+ million
6🔔PhiladelphiaPennsylvania1.55+ million
7🤠San AntonioTexas1.45+ million
8🌊San DiegoCalifornia1.38+ million
9⭐DallasTexas1.30+ million
10⚓JacksonvilleFlorida1.0+ million
11🌉San JoseCalifornia980,000+
12🎸AustinTexas960,000+
13⚜️Fort WorthTexas950,000+
14🏞️ColumbusOhio910,000+
15🌵El PasoTexas680,000+
16🎰Las VegasNevada670,000+
17⚓PortlandOregon650,000+
18🏈DetroitMichigan640,000+
19🎭MemphisTennessee630,000+
20🏰BaltimoreMaryland580,000+
  1. New York City has been the most populous U.S. city since the very first U.S. census in 1790.
  2. Many of the biggest cities today are in the Sun Belt (South and Southwest), where jobs, warmer weather, and newer housing have attracted people.
  3. Population doesn’t always match land size—for example, Jacksonville covers a huge area, while NYC is very dense.
  4. Texas is the only state with three cities in the top 10: Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.
  5. Cities like Phoenix and San Antonio have grown rapidly in recent decades due to migration, jobs, and affordable housing.
  6. Large U.S. cities often act as gateways for immigrants, which is why they’re so culturally diverse.
  7. Most large cities built extensive public transportation (subways, metro, buses) as they grew to handle millions of daily trips.
  8. Big U.S. cities often specialize: NYC = finance/media, LA = entertainment, Houston = energy, Chicago = transport/trade.
  9. Metro areas (city + suburbs) are often much bigger than the “city proper.” For example, the NYC metro has well over 18 million people.
  10. Urban planners watch these cities closely because they show trends in housing costs, traffic, climate resilience, and jobs that later reach smaller cities.

Our Content
United States Cities Interactive Map

United States Cities Interactive Map and Map Activities

The interactive USA cities map on LearnAboutAmerica.com lets students explore important American cities by clicking on locations across the country. It also includes an interactive scavenger hunt and a compare and contrast feature built directly into the map.

United States Cities Literacy and Comprehension Exercises

This section features a variety of literacy and reading comprehension activities, including engaging passages with question sets, cloze reading exercises, and lessons on text elements and structure. These resources are generally appropriate for students in grades 4–8, and many include adjustable Lexile levels and customizable question sets.
Liberty Bell Coloring Page

United States Cities Printables and Coloring Activities

This section features fun and educationalvcity-themed coloring activities and printables.

GPS Master

United States Cities Online Games

LearnAboutAmerica.com offers a wide variety of engaging USA cities games designed to help students learn about cities and United States geography.