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Urban and rural populations in the United States (1790 to 2010)[1]Choropleth map of urban population as percentage of U.S. states and D.C. total population in 2020
Theurbanization of the United States has progressed throughoutits entire history. Over the last two centuries, theUnited States of America has been transformed from a predominantlyrural,agricultural nation into anurbanized,industrial one.[2] This was largely due to theIndustrial Revolution in the United States (and parts ofWestern Europe) in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and the rapidindustrialization which the United States experienced as a result. In 1790, only about one out of every twenty Americans (on average) lived inurban areas (cities), but this ratio had dramatically changed to one out of four by 1870, one out of two by 1920, two out of three in the 1960s, and four out of five in the 2000s.[2]
Theurbanization of the United States occurred over a period of many years, with the nation only attaining urban-majority status between 1910 and 1920.[2] Currently, over four-fifths of the U.S. population resides in urban areas.[2] TheUnited States Census Bureau changed its classification and definition of urban areas in 1950 and again in 1990, and caution is thus advised when comparing urban data from different time periods.[2][3]
The Western U.S. is the most urbanized part of the country today, followed closely by the Northeastern United States. The Southern U.S. experienced rapid industrialization after World War II, and is now over three-quarters urban, having almost the same urban percentage in 2010 as the Midwestern United States.[2] Just four U.S. states (out of fifty) have a rural majority today, and even some of these states (such asMississippi) are continuing to urbanize. Some U.S. states currently have an urban percentage around or above 90%, an urbanization rate almost unheard of a century ago.
The states ofMaine andVermont have bucked the trend towards greater urbanization which is exhibited throughout the rest of the United States. Maine's highest urban percentage ever was less than 52% (in 1950), and today less than 39% of the state's population resides in urban areas. Vermont is currently the least urban U.S. state; its urban percentage (35.1%) is less than half of the United States average (81%).[2] Maine and Vermont were less urban than the United States average in every U.S. census since thefirst one in 1790.[2]
The data in this table/section are all from theU.S. Census Bureau. Note that thedefinition of urban population has changed over time.[6][7][8] New definitions were used for the Censuses conducted for 1900, 1950,[9] 2000,[10][11][12] and 2020.[13]
The Urban Population as a Percentage of the Total Population by U.S. Region and State (1790-2020)
^abcMassachusetts: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^abcRhode Island: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^US Census Bureau, US Census."Urban and Rural".Census.gov. Retrieved2023-02-10.
^Alabama: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Alaska: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Arizona: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Arkansas: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^California: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Colorado: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Connecticut: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Delaware: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^District of Columbia: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Florida: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Georgia: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Hawaii: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Idaho: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Illinois: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Indiana: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Iowa: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Kansas: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Kentucky: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Louisiana: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Maine: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Maryland: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Michigan: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Minnesota: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Mississippi: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Missouri: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Montana: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Nebraska: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Nevada: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^New Hampshire: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^New Jersey: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^New Mexico: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^New York: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^North Carolina: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^North Dakota: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Ohio: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Oklahoma: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Oregon: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Pennsylvania: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^South Carolina: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^South Dakota: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Tennessee: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Texas: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Utah: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Vermont: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Virginia: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Washington: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^West Virginia: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Wisconsin: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Wyoming: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.
^Puerto Rico: 2010(PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, CPH-2-5. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 2012. p. 1. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023.