Most Densely Populated U.S. Counties 2026: Top 100
Most Densely Populated U.S. Counties: 2026 Snapshot Based on 2025 Census Data
New York County, New York, ranks first in this Top 100 with a calculated density of 73,478 residents per square mile of land area. The metric is resident population divided by land area, and higher density ranks higher.
This is a 2026 publication snapshot, not a 2026 population forecast. It combines the U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 county resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 with 2025 Census Gazetteer ALAND. The table is a compiled research dataset based on 2 primary Census numeric datasets, with additional Census methodology and validation sources listed below.
Coverage: 100 confirmed county-level entities in the 50 states and District of Columbia. Unit: residents per square mile of land. Status counts: 100 calculated_value, 0 official_value, 0 official_forecast, 0 modeled_projection and 0 industry_observed_value. Each table density is calculated from official observed Census inputs and is not a forecast or modeled projection.
New York County, New York · residents per square mile of land.
Waynesboro city, Virginia, ranks 100th. This is the cutoff for this table, not the least-dense U.S. county.
71 counties, 26 independent cities, the District of Columbia, 1 planning region and 1 parish.
Resident population per square mile of land area; water area is excluded from the denominator.
July 1, 2025 Census population estimates plus 2025 Gazetteer land area.
Every ranking row is calculated_value; the Census Population Clock is used as a validation source, not as the Top 100 row source.
Overview: What Population Density Means Here
Population density is the number of residents divided by the land area of the county-level geography. This ranking uses the Census Gazetteer ALAND field, so lakes, rivers, coastal water and other water area reported separately as AWATER do not enlarge the denominator.
The title uses “U.S. counties” for the common search term, while the statistical universe also includes Census county-equivalent entities. That is why the ranking can contain the District of Columbia, independent cities such as Alexandria, Baltimore and St. Louis, Connecticut planning regions and Louisiana parishes alongside conventional counties.
Density is not the same as total population, population growth, urbanized-land density or crowding. A large county can have millions of residents but rank lower when its land area is large, while a geographically small county-level entity can rank high with a much smaller population.
Top 10 Most Densely Populated U.S. Counties and County Equivalents
Calculated residents per square mile of land area, 2025 reference data
| Rank | Entity | Density | Source / Method Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York County | 73,478 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,664,862 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 58,683,879 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 2 | Kings County | 38,254 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,653,963 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 179,684,482 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 3 | Bronx County | 33,324 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,406,332 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 109,301,172 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 4 | Queens County | 21,690 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,358,182 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 281,594,050 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 5 | San Francisco County | 17,695 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 826,079 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 120,913,550 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 6 | Hudson County | 15,912 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 735,033 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 119,638,037 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 7 | Suffolk County | 13,593 | Massachusetts · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 791,891 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 150,885,677 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 8 | Philadelphia County | 11,720 | Pennsylvania · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,574,281 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 347,900,745 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 11,348 | District of Columbia · County-equivalent · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 693,645 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 158,318,961 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 10 | Alexandria city | 10,757 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 160,662 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 38,682,331 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
Ranking uses unrounded calculated density; display values are rounded only after ranking. The rounded Top 10 values also match the U.S. Census Bureau Population Clock Highest Density county list.
Chart: Top 20 by Population Density
The bars use the same unrounded density values as the main ranking. Values shown at right are rounded only for display.
Methodology
This is a compiled research dataset based on two primary U.S. Census Bureau numeric datasets: Vintage 2025 county population estimates and 2025 Gazetteer land-area records.
Metric and Direction
Metric: resident population per square mile of land area. Direction: descending, so the larger calculated density receives the higher rank.
Population Input
Official observed input: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025, resident population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Land-Area Input
Official observed input: U.S. Census Bureau 2025 Gazetteer ALAND field in square meters. AWATER is excluded.
Calculation Formula
Land sq mi = ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336.
Density = POPESTIMATE2025 ÷ land sq mi.
Join and Inclusion
Population and Gazetteer records are matched at county-level geography. A ranking row requires both a 2025 population input and a 2025 ALAND input.
Source Hierarchy and Missing Values
The two primary numeric inputs are official U.S. Census Bureau products and take precedence over validation or secondary references. The Census Population Clock is used only as a cross-check. Conflicting values are not averaged. A geography without both a Vintage 2025 population estimate and a 2025 Gazetteer ALAND value is excluded; no missing values are imputed.
Geography
The Top 100 contains 71 counties, 26 independent cities, the District of Columbia, Greater Bridgeport Planning Region and Orleans Parish.
Rounding
Ranks use unrounded calculated density. Only the displayed value is rounded to the nearest whole resident per square mile.
Official Cross-Check
The Census Population Clock publishes rounded 2025 density values for its Highest Density county list. Those published Top 10 values match the corresponding rounded values produced by this calculation.
Limits
The metric does not measure neighborhood crowding, built-up-area density, housing density, total population, population growth, affordability or quality of life.
This ranking calculates all 100 unrounded density values consistently from Census Vintage 2025 population and 2025 Gazetteer ALAND. The Top 100 table remains classified as calculated_value because its ranking values are generated from the two official observed inputs using the disclosed formula. No 2026 population forecast, trend extrapolation or modeled projection is used.
Main Ranking: Top 100 U.S. Counties and County Equivalents by Population Density
Search by entity, filter by state or jurisdiction, filter by status, sort the existing rows or restrict the view to the published Top 10 or Top 20. All 100 confirmed rows are present in the HTML.
Compiled research dataset: Top 100 calculated densities from Census Vintage 2025 population and 2025 Gazetteer ALAND.
| Rank | Entity | Density | Source / Method Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York County | 73,478 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,664,862 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 58,683,879 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 2 | Kings County | 38,254 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,653,963 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 179,684,482 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 3 | Bronx County | 33,324 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,406,332 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 109,301,172 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 4 | Queens County | 21,690 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,358,182 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 281,594,050 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 5 | San Francisco County | 17,695 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 826,079 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 120,913,550 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 6 | Hudson County | 15,912 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 735,033 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 119,638,037 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 7 | Suffolk County | 13,593 | Massachusetts · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 791,891 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 150,885,677 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 8 | Philadelphia County | 11,720 | Pennsylvania · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,574,281 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 347,900,745 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 11,348 | District of Columbia · County-equivalent · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 693,645 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 158,318,961 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 10 | Alexandria city | 10,757 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 160,662 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 38,682,331 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 11 | Arlington County | 9,383 | Virginia · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 243,931 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 67,332,992 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 12 | Richmond County | 8,715 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 501,290 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 148,982,681 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 13 | Falls Church city | 7,407 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 15,159 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 5,300,259 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 14 | Essex County | 7,109 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 896,379 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 326,552,020 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 15 | Baltimore city | 7,042 | Maryland · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 569,997 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 209,649,327 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 16 | Union County | 5,857 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 601,863 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 266,164,943 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 17 | Cook County | 5,497 | Illinois · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 5,194,625 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,447,358,069 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 18 | Manassas Park city | 5,474 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 16,560 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 7,835,184 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 19 | Nassau County | 4,916 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,398,939 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 736,965,431 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 20 | Denver County | 4,838 | Colorado · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 740,613 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 396,460,153 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 21 | St. Louis city | 4,507 | Missouri · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 278,144 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 159,847,393 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 22 | Manassas city | 4,504 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 44,332 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 25,493,247 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 23 | Norfolk city | 4,336 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 231,013 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 137,981,433 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 24 | Charlottesville city | 4,333 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 44,388 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 26,535,238 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 25 | Fairfax city | 4,290 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 26,772 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 16,163,923 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 26 | Bergen County | 4,197 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 977,026 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 602,942,130 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 27 | Orange County | 3,970 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 3,149,507 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,054,504,217 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 28 | Richmond city | 3,959 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 237,257 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 155,205,068 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 29 | Milwaukee County | 3,828 | Wisconsin · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 924,216 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 625,371,986 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 30 | Ramsey County | 3,557 | Minnesota · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 541,623 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 394,349,490 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 31 | Pinellas County | 3,465 | Florida · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 948,563 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 709,120,286 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 32 | Delaware County | 3,161 | Pennsylvania · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 580,937 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 476,060,051 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 33 | Lexington city | 3,109 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 7,769 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 6,473,001 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 34 | Winchester city | 3,075 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 28,272 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 23,809,503 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 35 | Dallas County | 3,048 | Texas · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,661,397 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,261,546,161 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 36 | Fairfax County | 2,987 | Virginia · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,167,873 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,012,740,195 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 37 | Harris County | 2,955 | Texas · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 5,045,026 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 4,421,377,571 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 38 | Harrisonburg city | 2,933 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 50,839 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 44,898,872 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 39 | Fredericksburg city | 2,908 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 30,393 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 27,066,499 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 40 | Portsmouth city | 2,906 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 96,777 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 86,250,120 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 41 | DeKalb County | 2,893 | Georgia · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 774,394 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 693,248,803 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 42 | Wayne County | 2,891 | Michigan · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,769,038 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,584,666,038 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 43 | Passaic County | 2,856 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 531,624 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 482,078,671 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 44 | Middlesex County | 2,856 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 883,335 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 801,117,796 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 45 | DuPage County | 2,849 | Illinois · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 934,298 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 849,236,415 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 46 | Cuyahoga County | 2,696 | Ohio · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,232,925 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,184,224,634 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 47 | Hampton city | 2,668 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 137,315 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 133,290,524 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 48 | Newport News city | 2,656 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 183,230 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 178,698,605 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 49 | Tarrant County | 2,598 | Texas · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,248,466 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,241,374,644 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 50 | Franklin County | 2,557 | Ohio · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,361,536 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,378,952,503 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 51 | Marion County | 2,506 | Indiana · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 992,196 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,025,624,692 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 52 | Colonial Heights city | 2,492 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 18,738 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 19,475,360 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 53 | Camden County | 2,420 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 535,799 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 573,332,073 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 54 | Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 2,409 | Connecticut · Planning region · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 337,697 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 363,096,070 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 55 | Broomfield County | 2,402 | Colorado · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 79,174 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 85,384,996 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 56 | Los Angeles County | 2,388 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 9,694,934 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 10,516,101,987 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 57 | Gwinnett County | 2,361 | Georgia · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,018,099 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,116,635,239 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 58 | Westchester County | 2,358 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,015,743 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,115,811,944 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 59 | Mecklenburg County | 2,356 | North Carolina · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,233,383 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,356,122,868 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 60 | Cobb County | 2,335 | Georgia · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 793,345 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 879,820,634 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 61 | Roanoke city | 2,331 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 99,111 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 110,129,887 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 62 | Hennepin County | 2,319 | Minnesota · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,284,784 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,434,903,969 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 63 | Hopewell city | 2,246 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 23,261 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 26,817,672 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 64 | Alameda County | 2,219 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,636,630 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,910,010,500 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 65 | Montgomery County | 2,179 | Maryland · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,074,582 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,277,231,475 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 66 | Orleans Parish | 2,136 | Louisiana · Parish · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 362,154 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 439,205,384 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 67 | Clayton County | 2,099 | Georgia · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 297,471 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 367,009,135 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 68 | Jefferson County | 2,088 | Kentucky · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 795,222 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 986,370,161 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 69 | Fulton County | 2,086 | Georgia · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,098,791 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,364,558,845 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 70 | Bristol County | 2,072 | Rhode Island · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 50,001 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 62,500,772 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 71 | Hamilton County | 2,068 | Ohio · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 838,418 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,050,120,459 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 72 | Rockland County | 2,058 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 357,397 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 449,841,001 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 73 | Middlesex County | 2,042 | Massachusetts · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,669,979 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,118,363,247 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 74 | Prince George's County | 2,011 | Maryland · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 970,374 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,249,930,975 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 75 | St. Louis County | 1,949 | Missouri · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 990,911 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,317,074,810 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 76 | Norfolk County | 1,868 | Massachusetts · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 739,749 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,025,902,546 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 77 | Douglas County | 1,857 | Nebraska · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 606,460 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 845,735,092 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 78 | Virginia Beach city | 1,854 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 453,737 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 633,821,983 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 79 | Macomb County | 1,849 | Michigan · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 886,221 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,241,523,996 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 80 | Multnomah County | 1,845 | Oregon · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 795,391 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,116,316,722 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 81 | Montgomery County | 1,817 | Pennsylvania · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 877,643 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,250,800,652 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 82 | Radford city | 1,782 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 17,243 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 25,061,729 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 83 | Mercer County | 1,779 | New Jersey · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 399,289 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 581,404,580 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 84 | Salem city | 1,778 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 25,816 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 37,597,966 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 85 | Williamsburg city | 1,775 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 15,861 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 23,149,766 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 86 | Bexar County | 1,741 | Texas · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,160,088 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 3,212,669,817 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 87 | Suffolk County | 1,697 | New York · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,546,090 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,359,323,057 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 88 | Orange County | 1,692 | Florida · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,528,002 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,338,896,297 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 89 | Essex County | 1,678 | Massachusetts · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 826,653 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,275,604,953 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 90 | Allegheny County | 1,678 | Pennsylvania · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,225,035 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,890,567,447 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 91 | Sacramento County | 1,677 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,618,460 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 2,500,322,926 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 92 | Broward County | 1,674 | Florida · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 2,013,317 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 3,115,709,877 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 93 | Lynchburg city | 1,663 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 81,347 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 126,695,080 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 94 | San Mateo County | 1,658 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 743,568 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,161,875,517 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 95 | Providence County | 1,656 | Rhode Island · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 678,179 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,060,558,464 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 96 | Honolulu County | 1,646 | Hawaii · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 988,703 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,556,040,330 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 97 | Contra Costa County | 1,632 | California · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,170,070 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,856,765,315 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 98 | Salt Lake County | 1,622 | Utah · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 1,220,916 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,949,876,460 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 99 | Lake County | 1,621 | Illinois · County · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 719,339 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 1,149,124,986 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
| 100 | Waynesboro city | 1,600 | Virginia · Independent city · calculated_value · target year 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 population 23,951 + 2025 Gazetteer ALAND 38,771,596 m² · density = population ÷ (ALAND ÷ 2,589,988.110336) · assumption: land-only denominator; AWATER excluded. |
All 100 final ranking rows are calculated_value. Passaic County ranks above Middlesex County despite both displaying 2,856 because their unrounded calculated densities are 2,856.172492 and 2,855.793691 respectively.
Insights From the Top 100
Key Insight
New York County is the clear leader at 73,478 residents per square mile of land, about 1.92 times second-ranked Kings County at 38,254.
Notable Pattern
New York contributes four of the Top 10 entries: New York, Kings, Bronx and Queens counties. Nine New York counties appear in the full Top 100.
Geographic Concentration
Virginia contributes 26 of the Top 100 entities, the largest state count in the table: 24 independent cities plus Arlington and Fairfax counties.
Outlier
The density gap is nearly 46-fold even within the Top 100: New York County is about 45.9 times as dense as rank 100, Waynesboro city.
What This Ranking Means
This ranking answers one question: which U.S. county-level entities contain the most residents per square mile of land? It should not be read as a ranking of the largest counties by population or the counties growing fastest.
County-equivalent status matters. Virginia independent cities have county-level geography of their own, while Baltimore and St. Louis are also independent cities outside Virginia. Census treats these entities at county level for statistical purposes, so they can appear alongside conventional counties in a national county-density comparison.
For different population questions, use the related rankings rather than treating population, density and growth as interchangeable metrics.
Download the Most Densely Populated U.S. Counties 2026: Top 100 dataset
Most Densely Populated U.S. Counties 2026: Top 100
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Download Excel + CSV Data PackFAQ
What is the most densely populated U.S. county?
New York County, New York, ranks first in this 2026 snapshot at a calculated 73,478 residents per square mile of land area, using July 1, 2025 Census population and 2025 Gazetteer ALAND.
Are these official published population-density values?
The Census Bureau publishes the official population and land-area inputs and also publishes rounded 2025 density values for its Highest Density county list in the Population Clock. This Top 100 table independently calculates every unrounded density from POPESTIMATE2025 and Gazetteer ALAND so that all 100 rows use one consistent formula. The ranking rows are therefore classified as calculated_value.
Why is this called a 2026 ranking if the data are from 2025?
2026 is the publication snapshot. The population input is the Census Vintage 2025 estimate for July 1, 2025. No synthetic or projected 2026 county population is created.
Why are the District of Columbia and independent cities included?
Census county-level geography includes county-equivalent entities. That allows the District of Columbia and independent cities treated at county level to be compared with conventional counties.
Does the density calculation include water area?
No. The denominator uses Gazetteer ALAND. AWATER is reported separately and is not included in this population-density calculation.
Why can two entries show the same density but have different ranks?
Ranks use unrounded calculated density. Display values are rounded to whole residents per square mile, so entries such as Passaic and Middlesex counties can display the same number while their underlying values differ.
Is population density the same as total county population?
No. Total population is an absolute resident count. Density divides population by land area. A county can rank high by population but substantially lower by density.
Does high county density mean every neighborhood is crowded?
No. County density is an average across the full land area. Residents may be concentrated in only part of the county, so this metric does not measure neighborhood-level crowding or built-up-area density.
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau — County Population Totals: 2020–2025
Primary population source for Vintage 2025 county resident population estimates through July 1, 2025.
https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html
U.S. Census Bureau — CO-EST2025-POP
Official downloadable population table supplying the 2025 county-level resident population input.
https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2025/counties/totals/co-est2025-pop.xlsx
U.S. Census Bureau — 2025 Gazetteer Files
Primary geographic source for county-level GEOID and ALAND values.
https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.2025.html
U.S. Census Bureau — National 2025 County Gazetteer
Official national downloadable county Gazetteer file containing GEOID, ALAND and AWATER.
U.S. Census Bureau — Population Clock
Official validation source for published 2025 population-density values in the Highest Density county list; used to cross-check the rounded Top 10.
U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer Record Layouts
Documentation for ALAND, AWATER, ALAND_SQMI and other Gazetteer fields.
U.S. Census Bureau — Population Estimates Geographic Terms
Reference for county and county-equivalent geography used to interpret independent cities and other county-level entities.
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/about/glossary/geo-terms.html
