In 2023, Washington, D.C. had the highest population density in the United States, with 11,130.69 people per square mile. As a whole, there were about 94.83 residents per square mile in the U.S., and Alaska was the state with the lowest population density, with 1.29 residents per square mile. The problem of population density Simply put, population density is the population of a country divided by the area of the country. While this can be an interesting measure of how many people live in a country and how large the country is, it does not account for the degree of urbanization, or the share of people who live in urban centers. For example, Russia is the largest country in the world and has a comparatively low population, so its population density is very low. However, much of the country is uninhabited, so cities in Russia are much more densely populated than the rest of the country. Urbanization in the United States While the United States is not very densely populated compared to other countries, its population density has increased significantly over the past few decades. The degree of urbanization has also increased, and well over half of the population lives in urban centers.

California was the state with the highest resident population in the United States in 2024, with 39.43 million people. Wyoming had the lowest population with about 590,000 residents. Living the American Dream Ever since the opening of the West in the United States, California has represented the American Dream for both Americans and immigrants to the U.S. The warm weather, appeal of Hollywood and Silicon Valley, as well as cities that stick in the imagination such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, help to encourage people to move to California. Californian demographics California is an extremely diverse state, as no one ethnicity is in the majority. Additionally, it has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents in the United States. By 2040, the population of California is expected to increase by almost 10 million residents, which goes to show that its appeal, both in reality and the imagination, is going nowhere fast.

United States US: Population Density: People per Square Km data was reported at 35.608 Person/sq km in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 35.355 Person/sq km for 2016. United States US: Population Density: People per Square Km data is updated yearly, averaging 26.948 Person/sq km from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35.608 Person/sq km in 2017 and a record low of 20.056 Person/sq km in 1961. United States US: Population Density: People per Square Km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.; Weighted average;

This graph shows the population density of the United States of America from 1790 to 2019. In 2019, the population density was approximately 92.9 residents per square mile of land area. Population density in the United States Population density has been tracked for over two hundred years in the United States. Over the last two centuries, the number of people living in the United States per square mile has grown from 4.5 in 1790 to 87.4 in 2010. After examining the data in detail, it becomes clear that a major population increase started around 1870. Population density was roughly 11 at the time and has doubled in the last century. Since then, population density grew by about 16 percent each decade. Population density doubled in 1900, and grew in total by around 800 percent until 2010.

The population density of the United States varies from state to state. The most densely populated state is New Jersey, with 1,208 people per square mile living there. Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state, with slightly over 1,000 inhabitants per square mile. A number of New England states follow at the top of the ranking, making the northeastern region of the United States the most densely populated region of the country.

The least populated U.S. state is the vast territory of Alaska. Only 1.3 inhabitants per square mile reside in the largest state of the U.S.

Compared to other countries around the world, the United States does not rank within the top 50, in terms of population density. Most of the leading countries and territories are city states. However, the U.S. is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a total population of over 327 million inhabitants, as of 2018.

Population: Alaska data was reported at 739,795.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 741,522.000 Person for 2016. Population: Alaska data is updated yearly, averaging 693,299.000 Person from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 741,522.000 Person in 2016 and a record low of 627,499.000 Person in 2000. Population: Alaska data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G003: Population By State.

How does your organization use this dataset? What other NYSERDA or energy-related datasets would you like to see on Open NY? Let us know by emailing OpenNY@nyserda.ny.gov. The Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) New York State (NYS) Census Population Analysis dataset is resultant from the LMI market database designed by APPRISE as part of the NYSERDA LMI Market Characterization Study (https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/lmi-tool). All data are derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files for 2013, 2014, and 2015. Each row in the LMI dataset is an individual record for a household that responded to the survey and each column is a variable of interest for analyzing the low- to moderate-income population. The LMI dataset includes: county/county group, households with elderly, households with children, economic development region, income groups, percent of poverty level, low- to moderate-income groups, household type, non-elderly disabled indicator, race/ethnicity, linguistic isolation, housing unit type, owner-renter status, main heating fuel type, home energy payment method, housing vintage, LMI study region, LMI population segment, mortgage indicator, time in home, head of household education level, head of household age, and household weight. The LMI NYS Census Population Analysis dataset is intended for users who want to explore the underlying data that supports the LMI Analysis Tool. The majority of those interested in LMI statistics and generating custom charts should use the interactive LMI Analysis Tool at https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/lmi-tool. This underlying LMI dataset is intended for users with experience working with survey data files and producing weighted survey estimates using statistical software packages (such as SAS, SPSS, or Stata).

The state of Mexico is the most populated region in Mexico, being home to around 13.44 percent of the country's total population. In 2022, approximately 17.32 million people lived in the state of Mexico, whereas 9.3 million resided in the country's capital, Mexico City. The state with the lowest number of inhabitants was Colima, with around 770,900 residents.

This is a utility dataset that I often use when I want to create the per inhabitant value Columns

• rank, the rank of the state by population
• state, the name of the state
• state_code, the abbreviation of the state name
• 2020_census, population in 2020
• percent_o_f_total, share of the state population in the US population

Population: New Hampshire data was reported at 1,342,795.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,335,015.000 Person for 2016. Population: New Hampshire data is updated yearly, averaging 1,317,844.000 Person from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,342,795.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 1,240,446.000 Person in 2000. Population: New Hampshire data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G003: Population By State.

Population: Nevada data was reported at 2,998,039.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,939,254.000 Person for 2016. Population: Nevada data is updated yearly, averaging 2,629,428.500 Person from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,998,039.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 2,018,211.000 Person in 2000. Population: Nevada data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G003: Population By State.

Population: Wisconsin data was reported at 5,795,483.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,772,917.000 Person for 2016. Population: Wisconsin data is updated yearly, averaging 5,641,192.000 Person from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,795,483.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 5,374,254.000 Person in 2000. Population: Wisconsin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G003: Population By State.

United States - Population, Total for Least Developed Countries was 1160824674.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population, Total for Least Developed Countries reached a record high of 1160824674.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 240518397.00000 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population, Total for Least Developed Countries - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on February of 2026.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the United States population distribution across 18 age groups. It lists the population in each age group along with the percentage population relative of the total population for United States. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of United States by age. For example, using this dataset, we can identify the largest age group in United States.

Key observations

The largest age group in United States was for the group of age 30 to 34 years years with a population of 23.06 million (6.94%), according to the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. At the same time, the smallest age group in United States was the 80 to 84 years years with a population of 6.34 million (1.91%). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group in consideration
• Population: The population for the specific age group in the United States is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the population of each age group as a proportion of United States total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for United States Population by Age. You can refer the same here

In 2024, the median age in Maine, the nation’s oldest state, reached 44.9 years. The U.S. state with the lowest median age was Utah, at 32.1 years. Nationwide, the median age has been increasing in recent decades, marking the nation’s aging population. The United States aging population The post-war baby boom, marked by robust birth rates, gave way to lower fertility and mortality rates in subsequent decades. This has shifted the country’s demographic profile. The United States is not alone in this. Aging is now a global trend, reshaping economies and societies alike. Retirement’s uncertain promise Retirement once promised leisure after years of work and saving. That promise is looking less certain as fewer Americans now believe their savings will last them through retirement. Roughly 30 percent of retirees still work for pay, a proportion that has held steady even as optimism has faded. An aging America will force policymakers and citizens alike to confront uncomfortable trade-offs between work, retirement, and the promise of security.

This map shows population density of the United States. Areas in darker magenta have much higher population per square mile than areas in orange or yellow. Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics. The map's layers contain total population counts by sex, age, and race groups for Nation, State, County, Census Tract, and Block Group in the United States and Puerto Rico. From the Census:"Population density allows for broad comparison of settlement intensity across geographic areas. In the U.S., population density is typically expressed as the number of people per square mile of land area. The U.S. value is calculated by dividing the total U.S. population (316 million in 2013) by the total U.S. land area (3.5 million square miles).When comparing population density values for different geographic areas, then, it is helpful to keep in mind that the values are most useful for small areas, such as neighborhoods. For larger areas (especially at the state or country scale), overall population density values are less likely to provide a meaningful measure of the density levels at which people actually live, but can be useful for comparing settlement intensity across geographies of similar scale." SourceAbout the dataYou can use this map as is and you can also modify it to use other attributes included in its layers. This map's layers contain total population counts by sex, age, and race groups data from the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics. This is shown by Nation, State, County, Census Tract, Block Group boundaries. Each geography layer contains a common set of Census counts based on available attributes from the U.S. Census Bureau. There are also additional calculated attributes related to this topic, which can be mapped or used within analysis.Vintage of boundaries and attributes: 2020 Demographic and Housing Characteristics Table(s): P1, H1, H3, P2, P3, P5, P12, P13, P17, PCT12 (Not all lines of these DHC tables are available in this feature layer.)Data downloaded from: U.S. Census Bureau’s data.census.gov siteDate the Data was Downloaded: May 25, 2023Geography Levels included: Nation, State, County, Census Tract, Block GroupNational Figures: included in Nation layer The United States Census Bureau Demographic and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Census Results 2020 Census Data Quality Geography & 2020 Census Technical Documentation Data Table Guide: includes the final list of tables, lowest level of geography by table and table shells for the Demographic Profile and Demographic and Housing Characteristics.News & Updates This map is ready to be used in ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and its configurable apps, Story Maps, dashboards, Notebooks, Python, custom apps, and mobile apps. Data can also be exported for offline workflows. Please cite the U.S. Census Bureau when using this data. Data Processing Notes: These 2020 Census boundaries come from the US Census TIGER geodatabases. These are Census boundaries with water and/or coastlines erased for cartographic and mapping purposes. For Census tracts and block groups, the water cutouts are derived from a subset of the 2020 Areal Hydrography boundaries offered by TIGER. Water bodies and rivers which are 50 million square meters or larger (mid to large sized water bodies) are erased from the tract and block group boundaries, as well as additional important features. For state and county boundaries, the water and coastlines are derived from the coastlines of the 2020 500k TIGER Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles. These are erased to more accurately portray the coastlines and Great Lakes. The original AWATER and ALAND fields are unchanged and available as attributes within the data table (units are square meters).  The layer contains all US states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. Census tracts with no population that occur in areas of water, such as oceans, are removed from this data service (Census Tracts beginning with 99). Block groups that fall within the same criteria (Block Group denoted as 0 with no area land) have also been removed.Percentages and derived counts, are calculated values (that can be identified by the "_calc_" stub in the field name). Field alias names were created based on the Table Shells file available from the Data Table Guide for the Demographic Profile and Demographic and Housing Characteristics. Not all lines of all tables listed above are included in this layer. Duplicative counts were dropped. For example, P0030001 was dropped, as it is duplicative of P0010001.To protect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents, their data has been protected using differential privacy techniques by the U.S. Census Bureau.

United States - Population Growth for Least Developed Countries was 2.31266 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population Growth for Least Developed Countries reached a record high of 2.78101 in January of 1992 and a record low of 2.29092 in January of 2022. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population Growth for Least Developed Countries - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on February of 2026.

United States - Population, Total for Low Income Countries was 736466395.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population, Total for Low Income Countries reached a record high of 736466395.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 137782356.00000 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population, Total for Low Income Countries - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on February of 2026.

Population: Hawaii data was reported at 1,427,538.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,428,683.000 Person for 2016. Population: Hawaii data is updated yearly, averaging 1,291,329.500 Person from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,428,683.000 Person in 2016 and a record low of 1,211,566.000 Person in 2000. Population: Hawaii data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G003: Population by State.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for the United States (SPPOPGROWUSA) from 1961 to 2024 about population, rate, and USA.

The Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) New York State (NYS) Census Population Analysis dataset is based upon research conducted for a forthcoming Low-Income Energy Bill and Usage Study, which will be published in 2026. The data primarily came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2018-2022 data. Each row in the LMI dataset is an individual record for a household that responded to the survey and each column is a variable of interest for analyzing the low- to moderate-income population. The LMI NYS Census Population Analysis dataset is intended for users who want to explore the underlying data that supports the New York State Low- to Moderate-Income Census Population Analysis Tool (2018-2022). The majority of those interested in LMI statistics and generating custom charts should use the interactive LMI Census Population Tool at https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Publications/Evaluation-Reports/Low--to-Moderate-Income/LMI-Census-Population-Tool. This underlying LMI dataset is intended for users with experience working with survey data files and producing weighted survey estimates using statistical software packages (such as SAS, SPSS, or Stata).