Share of the population living in cities in United States
United States: Share of the population living in cities was 34.38 in 2020. ▲ Rising
Share of the population living in cities in United States, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2020, share of the population living in cities in United States stood at 34.38. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 17.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population living in cities in United States peaked at 34.38 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 17.89, in 1950.
That places United States 123rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Share of the population living in cities in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 17.89 | — |
| 1955 | 18.41 | +2.9% |
| 1960 | 19.47 | +5.7% |
| 1965 | 20.2 | +3.7% |
| 1970 | 20.74 | +2.7% |
| 1975 | 20.67 | -0.3% |
| 1980 | 20.64 | -0.2% |
| 1985 | 21.51 | +4.2% |
| 1990 | 22.65 | +5.3% |
| 1995 | 24.13 | +6.5% |
| 2000 | 26.3 | +9.0% |
| 2005 | 27.31 | +3.8% |
| 2010 | 29.23 | +7.1% |
| 2015 | 31.72 | +8.5% |
| 2020 | 34.38 | +8.4% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 34.38 is above the median for high income countries, which is 31.97, 1.1× the median. (85 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 18.15 | 17.89 | 18.41 | 2 |
| 1960s | 19.84 | 19.47 | 20.2 | 2 |
| 1970s | 20.71 | 20.67 | 20.74 | 2 |
| 1980s | 21.07 | 20.64 | 21.51 | 2 |
| 1990s | 23.39 | 22.65 | 24.13 | 2 |
| 2000s | 26.8 | 26.3 | 27.31 | 2 |
| 2010s | 30.48 | 29.23 | 31.72 | 2 |
| 2020s | 34.38 | 34.38 | 34.38 | 1 |
Countries ranked near United States
More population data for United States
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.8 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0241 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 375,392 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4762 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.1565 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.129 (2100)
- Population density 46.05 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 19.91 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population living in cities in United States?
- Share of the population living in cities in United States was 34.38 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population living in cities recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 34.38 in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of the population living in cities recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.89 in 1950.
- How does United States rank for share of the population living in cities?
- United States ranks 123rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of the population living in cities rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population living in cities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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