In 2020, about 82.66 percent of the total population in the United States lived in cities and urban areas. As the United States was one of the earliest nations to industrialize, it has had a comparatively high rate of urbanization over the past two centuries. The urban population became larger than the rural population during the 1910s, and by the middle of the century it is expected that almost 90 percent of the population will live in an urban setting. Regional development of urbanization in the U.S. The United States began to urbanize on a larger scale in the 1830s, as technological advancements reduced the labor demand in agriculture, and as European migration began to rise. One major difference between early urbanization in the U.S. and other industrializing economies, such as the UK or Germany, was population distribution. Throughout the 1800s, the Northeastern U.S. became the most industrious and urban region of the country, as this was the main point of arrival for migrants. Disparities in industrialization and urbanization was a key contributor to the Union's victory in the Civil War, not only due to population sizes, but also through production capabilities and transport infrastructure. The Northeast's population reached an urban majority in the 1870s, whereas this did not occur in the South until the 1950s. As more people moved westward in the late 1800s, not only did their population growth increase, but the share of the urban population also rose, with an urban majority established in both the West and Midwest regions in the 1910s. The West would eventually become the most urbanized region in the 1960s, and over 90 percent of the West's population is urbanized today. Urbanization today New York City is the most populous city in the United States, with a population of 8.3 million, while California has the largest urban population of any state. California also has the highest urbanization rate, although the District of Columbia is considered 100 percent urban. Only four U.S. states still have a rural majority, these are Maine, Mississippi, Montana, and West Virginia.

Urban population (% of total population) in United States was reported at 83.3 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2023, there were approximately ***** million people living in rural areas in the United States, while about ****** million people were living in urban areas. Within the provided time period, the number of people living in urban U.S. areas has increased significantly since totaling only ****** million in 1960.

The average for 2023 based on 24 countries was 62.87 percent. The highest value was in Bermuda: 100 percent and the lowest value was in Saint Lucia: 19.17 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

North America urban population for 2023 was 311,866,936, a 1% increase from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>North America urban population for 2022 was <strong>308,793,425</strong>, a <strong>0.76% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>North America urban population for 2021 was <strong>306,467,593</strong>, a <strong>0.44% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>North America urban population for 2020 was <strong>305,134,724</strong>, a <strong>1.22% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

The average for 2023 based on 20 countries was 76.64 percent. The highest value was in Uruguay: 95.77 percent and the lowest value was in Guatemala: 53.1 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This statistic shows the degree of urbanization in Latin America & Caribbean from 2013 to 2023. Urbanization means the share of urban population in the total population of a country. In 2023, 81.8 percent of the total population of Latin America & Caribbean lived in urban areas and cities.

United States US: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 17.942 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 18.138 % for 2016. United States US: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 24.985 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.004 % in 1960 and a record low of 17.942 % in 2017. United States US: Rural Population: % of Total Population 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. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Urban population growth (annual %) in North America was reported at 0.76908 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North America - Urban population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2020, 82.6 percent of the North American population lived in urban areas. According to the projections, this figure is going to increase to 89 percent in 2050. Across all major world regions the level of urbanization is projected to be increasing in 2050.

This horizontal bar chart displays urban population (people) by country using the aggregation sum in Central America. The data is about countries.

In 2025, the degree of urbanization worldwide was at 58 percent. North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean were the regions with the highest level of urbanization, with over four-fifths of the population residing in urban areas. The degree of urbanization defines the share of the population living in areas defined as "cities". On the other hand, less than half of Africa's population lives in urban settlements. Globally, China accounts for over one-quarter of the built-up areas of more than 500,000 inhabitants. The definition of a city differs across various world regions - some countries count settlements with 100 houses or more as urban, while others only include the capital of a country or provincial capitals in their count. Largest agglomerations worldwideThough North America is the most urbanized continent, no U.S. city was among the top ten urban agglomerations worldwide in 2023. Tokyo-Yokohama in Japan was the largest urban area in the world that year, with 37.7 million inhabitants. New York ranked 13th, with 21.4 million inhabitants. Eight of the 10 most populous cities are located in Asia. ConnectivityIt may be hard to imagine how the reality will look in 2050, with 70 percent of the global population living in cities, but some statistics illustrate the ways urban living differs from suburban and rural living. American urbanites may lead more “connected” (i.e., internet-connected) lives than their rural and/or suburban counterparts. As of 2021, around 89 percent of people living in urban areas owned a smartphone. Internet usage was also higher in cities than in rural areas. On the other hand, rural areas always have, and always will, attract those who want to escape the rush of the city.

This bar chart displays urban population (people) by country full name using the aggregation sum in Central America. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

This scatter chart displays urban population (people) against male population (people) in Central America. The data is about countries.

Urban population growth (annual %) in American Samoa was reported at --1.6674 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. American Samoa - Urban population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Central America urban population for was 0.00, a 0% increase from .

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Central America urban population for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Central America urban population for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Central America urban population for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
</ul>Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

This data collection contains two data files created from manuscript census returns. Part 1 is an aggregation of social characteristics of Spanish-surnamed and Mexican-born families in the city of Los Angeles from 1844-1880. The data were used to study family composition and socioeconomic mobility. Data items include real property held by head of household (1844, 1850, and 1880 missing), number of children in household, number of adults who were literate in household (no data for 1844), last name of head of household, place of birth of head of household, and occupational category (i.e., rancher or farmer, professional, mercantile, clerk, skilled, and unskilled). Part 2 is composed of data used to study the socioeconomic development of the Mexican-American community in Los Angeles. The main emphasis was on an analysis of literacy, occupational mobility, schooling, family structure, demographic changes, and property mobility. Data items include last name, first name, age, sex, occupational code, real property, personal property, place of birth, literacy, race, head of household, wife of head, child of head, parent of head, sibling of head, and common law spouse. Definitions of family types and discussion of the methodology and rationale used to generate the data in both files can be found in Appendix A of del Castillo, Richard Griswold. "La Raza Hispano Americana: The Emergence of an Urban Culture Among the Spanish Speaking of Los Angeles, 1850-1880." Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 1974.

United States US: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 7.020 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.065 % for 2016. United States US: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 8.675 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.200 % in 1960 and a record low of 7.020 % in 2017. United States US: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

This bar chart displays urban population (people) by capital city using the aggregation sum in Central America. The data is about countries.

Urban population in American Samoa was reported at 41455 in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. American Samoa - Urban population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.