U.S. Cities Factsheet

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Large, densely populated cities serve as cultural and economic hubs, offering employment, education, and recreation. To sustain their populations and infrastructure, cities require constant flows of energy and resources, such as food, from elsewhere.1,2 There is increasing attention on the environmental impacts of cities, and the opportunities to reduce the footprint of the built environment and enhance the quality of life for residents. A city is a legal entity,3 while an urban area is determined by the U.S. Census Bureau based on the population and availability of housing.4 A metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget based on county lines.5,6

Urban Land Use Patterns

  • 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, up from 64% in 1950. By 2050, 89% of the U.S. population and 68% of the world population is projected to live in urban areas.7,8
  • The U.S. has over 340 urban areas with populations above 100,000;10 New York City, the largest, has 8.58M inhabitants within the five boroughs and 19.43M in the urban area.7,11
Population of the 10 Most Populous U.S. Cities9,41
  •  From 2000 to 2020, urban land area in the U.S. grew by 14%, reaching 105,493 mi2, or 3% of total U.S. land area.12,13 It is projected to more than double by 2060.14
  • In 2020, there were 2,553 people per square mile in U.S. urban areas and 19 people per square mile in rural areas.7,15,16,17,18 The density of urban areas increased by 9% from 2010.18
  • In New York City, population density in 2020 was 29,303 people per mi2.19
  • Total housing units increased by 6.7% from 2010–2020, compared to 13.6% from 2000–2010.20 New York County (Manhattan) has the highest density of housing units in the country, with 40,339 units per mi2 of land area.13
  • Doubling population density in urban areas can reduce CO2 emissions from household travel and residential energy use by 48% and 35%, respectively.21
  • Sprawl, the expansion of cities and suburbs into surrounding rural land, increases traffic and energy use, and contributes to air and water pollution as well as flooding.22 Sprawl also leads to habitat loss, automobile dependency, reduced open space, and diminished quality of life.23
  • According to Smart Growth America’s Sprawl Index (based on development density, land use mix, activity centering and street accessibility), the most sprawling MSAs of the 221 surveyed are Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA, Clarksville, TN-KY, and Prescott, AZ.24

 Built and Natural Environment

  • In 2024, residential (19 quads) and commercial (17 quads) sectors accounted for 37% of U.S. energy consumption and 33.5% of energy-related emissions, 1,602 Mt of CO2.25 See the Residential Building Factsheet and Commercial Building Factsheet for more information.
  • 70% of global emissions can be attributed to urban areas, driven by population size, income, and form of urbanization.26 Of these emissions, 21% come from urban transport.27
  • The urban heat island effect, in which average annual temperatures average 1-7 °F higher in cities than surrounding suburban and rural areas, results in increased energy demand, air pollution, GHG emissions, and heat-related illness, as well as decreased water quality.28
  • Urban tree canopies mitigate the urban heat island effect.29 Urban tree cover in the U.S. has declined to 39.4%, while impervious cover increased to 26.6% of urban area.14 Extensive urban reforestation would increase carbon sequestration, reduce electricity-related GHG emissions, and provide over $9B in benefits annually.30
  • Since 2000, emissions from key pollutants have decreased and, with them, the number of unhealthy air days for urban residents.31 44% of Americans, 152.3M people, live in regions containing unhealthy levels of particulate or ozone pollution.32 33.5M American children live with unhealthy air pollution.32
  • Contaminant concentration and toxicity in streams increase with urban development, due to runoff, treated and untreated sewage, and industrial discharge.33
  • Stormwater runoff from the built environment is a principal contributor to water quality impairment of water bodies.34

Transportation and Mobility

  • In 2019, 56.1B passenger-miles were traveled on U.S. public transit. This decreased to 23.3B in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and rose to 31.3B in 2022.36,37
  • In 2022, buses, bus rapid transit, and trolleybuses accounted for 48% of U.S. public transit trips, 38% were metro rail, and 5% were light rail and streetcars.37 Using public transit rather than a personal vehicle lowers carbon emissions by 55%.39
  • Between 2020 and 2024, public transit ridership rose by 63%, yet 2024 levels remained 22% below 2019.38
Public Transportation Ridership38
  • Public transportation in the U.S. prevents 148B VMT, saves 6.6B gal of gasoline, and 63 Mt of CO2 emissions annually.40 $1B invested in public transportation yields $5B in GDP growth and supports nearly 50,000 jobs.42
  • In 2019, transit buses used 89.5T Btu to travel 19.3B PM, while rail used 47.1T Btu for 39.3B PM.43 In contrast, passenger cars and trucks consumed 15,108T Btu and traveled 4,470B PM.43 See the Person Transportation Factsheet for more information.
Urban Density and Transportation-Related Energy Use35
  • Urban congestion cost Americans an extra 8.7B hours of travel time and 3.5B gal of fuel in 2019.44
  • In large U.S. cities, parking lots cover an average of 26% of land area.45

Socioeconomic Patterns

  • The average unemployment rate of metropolitan areas in May 2025 was 4%, ranging from 1.7% in Sioux Falls, SD to 17.4% in El Centro, CA.46 In 2018, U.S. metro economies accounted for 91% of GDP, 92% of wage income, and 88% of jobs.47 Only 9 countries had a higher 2018 GDP than the NYC area.47
  • In 2023, the median household income inside metropolitan areas was $83,590; outside metropolitan areas it was $62,520.48 Poverty rates are lower within metropolitan areas (10.7%) than outside (13.5%).49
  • In 2015, the top 1% of U.S. families earned 26 times more income than the bottom 99%. In the 17 most unequal metro areas, the top 1% earned at least 35 times more than the bottom 99%. In Jackson, WY, the ratio was 132:1.50
  • MSAs with a high concentration of tech and finance workers tend to have higher income inequality. Rust Belt and Midwest MSAs, many of which rely on manufacturing, tend to have more equal wage distributions.51
  • Urban areas historically occupied by racially marginalized groups are less likely to have trees, which help mitigate the urban heat island effect.52 Racially marginalized groups are more likely to live in sections of cities that experience greater urban heat island effects.53 Adding green space to cities can lead to gentrification, which exacerbates inequity.54
  • 51.6% of unhoused people in the U.S. live in major cities.55

Solutions and Sustainable Alternatives

  • Urban areas create unique opportunities for residents to shape systems that enhance resource circularity.56
  • A sustainable urban area preserves environmental quality, uses renewable energy efficiently, maintains a healthy population with access to healthcare, and fosters economic vitality, social equity, and civic engagement.57
  • Achieving urban sustainability requires an integrated approach to environmental management, measures to limit sprawl, strong connections among community, ecology, and economy, and coordinated stakeholder interaction.57,58
  • Well-being can be improved by prioritizing means to reduce climate risk for low-income and marginalized communities.26
U.S. Cities Future Climate Solutions59
Cite As

Center for Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan. 2026. “U.S. Cities Factsheet.” Pub. No. CSS09-06.

  1. Hawes, J.K., Goldstein, B.P., Newell, J.P. et al. Comparing the carbon footprints of urban and conventional agriculture. Nat Cities 1, 164–173 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-023-00023-3
  2. Goldstein, B.P., Pelton, R.E.O., Gounaridis, D. et al. The carbon hoofprint of cities is shaped by geography and production in the livestock supply chain. Nat. Clim. Chang. 15, 1190–1197 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02450-7
  3. Virginia Legislative Information System (LIS) (2026) Code of Virginia - Section 1-208. City. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title1/chapter2.1/section1-208/
  4. Ratcliffe, M. (2022) Redefining urban areas following the 2020 census. U.S. Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2022/12/redefining-urban-areas-following-2020-census.html
  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2026) State and metropolitan areas. https://www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis/states-and-metropolitan-areas
  6. U.S. Census Bureau (2026) Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area glossary. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/about/glossary.html
  7. U.S. Census Bureau (2026) 2020 Census Urban Areas Facts
  8. United Nations (UN) Population Division (2018) World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision.
  9. U.S. Census Bureau (2011) “Incorporated Places with 100,000 or More Inhabitants in 2010.”
  10. U.S. Census Bureau (2025) City and Town Population Totals 2020-2024, Incorporated Places of 20,000 or More
  11. U.S. Census Bureau (2025) QuickFacts - New York city, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/newyorkcitynewyork/PST045225
  12. U.S. Census Bureau (2012) United States Summary: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts. 2010 Census of Population and Housing.
  13. U.S Census Bureau (2023) County-level Urban and Rural information for the 2020 Census.
  14. Nowak, D. and E. Greenfield (2018) Declining Urban and Community Tree Cover in the United States. Journal of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening: 32-55.
  15. Butikofer, C., Smith, K., & Nowak, R. (2024) 2020 Census Geographic Programs Operational Assessment Report. U.S. Census Bureau, https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/program-management/evaluate-docs/EAE-2020-geographic-programs.pdf
  16. America Counts Staff (2017) One in five americans live in rural areas. U.S. Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2017/08/rural-america.html
  17. U.S. Census Bureau (2020) QuickFacts. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/HCN010222
  18. U.S. Census (2022) Nation's urban and rural populations shift following 2020 census. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/urban-rural-populations.html
  19. U.S. Census Bureau (2025) QuickFacts New York City, New York.
  20. U.S. Census Bureau (2023) "Housing Characteristics: 2020."
  21. Lee, S., and Lee, B. (2014) The Influence of Urban Form on GHG Emissions in the U.S. Household Sector. Journal of Energy Policy, 68: 534-549.
  22. European Environment Agency (2004) "Glossary: Urban Sprawl."
  23. Nature Education Knowledge (2013) "The Characteristics, Causes, and Consequences of Sprawling Development Patterns in the United States."
  24. Ewing, R., Shima Hamidi. (2014) Measuring Sprawl 2014. Smart Growth America.
  25. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2025) Monthly Energy Review June 2025.
  26. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2023) Synthesis Report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) Longer Report.
  27. World Resources Institue (2021) Invest in Walking and Cycling for Sustainable, Safe Cities.
  28. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2020) “Learn About Heat Islands.”
  29. Nowak, Greenfield (2012) Tree and impervious cover in the United States. Landscape and Urban Planning: 21-30.
  30. Mcdonald, R.I., et al. (2024) Current inequality and future potential of US urban tree cover for reducing heat-related health impacts. Urban Sustainability 4: 18.
  31. U.S. EPA (2021) Our Nation's Air.
  32. American Lung Association (2026) State of the Air. https://www.lung.org/getmedia/32f0646d-c5de-4501-b0ac-07cd63c974d4/State-of-the-Air-2026-Report.pdf
  33. USGS (2012) Effects of Urban Development on Stream Ecosystems in Nine Metropolitan Study Areas Across the United States.
  34. National Research Council (2008) Urban Stormwater Management in the United States.
  35. Adapted from UNEP (2008) “Kick the Habit: A UN Guide to Carbon Neutrality.”
  36. American Public Transportation Association (2022) Public Transportation Factbook.
  37. American Public Transportation Association (2024) Public Transportation Factbook 2024
  38. APTA (2025) Public Transportation Ridership Report Quarterly and Annual Totals by Mode
  39. Transit Cooperative Research Program (2021) An Update on Public Transportation's Impacts on Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
  40. TCRP (2021) An Update on Public Transportation's Impacts on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  41. U.S. Census Bureau (2023) City and Town Population Totals 2020-2022, Incorporated Places of 50,000 or More.
  42. APTA (2020) Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment.
  43. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Lab (2022) Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 40.
  44. Texas A&M Transportation Institute (2021) 2021 Urban Mobility Report.
  45. Scientific American (2024) Parking Lots Cause more Heat and Flooding - Here's How 100 U.S. Cities Rank.
  46. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025) Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas.
  47. The United States Conference of Mayors (2019) U.S. Metro Economies - GMP and Employment 2018-2020.
  48. U.S. Census Bureau (2024) Income in the United States 2023
  49. U.S. Census Bureau (2024) Income and Poverty in the United States: 2023.
  50. Economic Policy Institute (2018) The new gilded age Income inequality in the U.S. by state, metropolitan area, and county
  51. Federal Resrve Bank of Philadelphia Research Department (2024) Wage Inequality Across the U.S.
  52. Locke, D.H., Hall, B., Grove, J.M. et al. Residential housing segregation and urban tree canopy in 37 US Cities. npj Urban Sustain 1, 15 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-021-00022-0
  53. Hsu, A., Sheriff, G., Chakraborty, T. et al. Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities. Nat Commun 12, 2721 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22799-5
  54. Anguelovski, I., Connolly, J.J.T., Cole, H. et al. Green gentrification in European and North American cities. Nat Commun 13, 3816 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31572-1
  55. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development (2024) The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf
  56. Goldstein, B.P., Levy, D., Hawes, J.K., & Finn, B.M. (2026) A typology of resource circularity in cities. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, Volume 227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108743
  57. Budd, W., et al. (2008) "Cultural sources of variations in U.S. urban sustainability attributes." Cities, 25(5): 257-267.
  58. Hecht, A. and W. Sanders (2007) "How EPA research, policies, and programs can advance urban sustainability." Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, 3(2): 37-47.
  59. Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (2020) Mayors Leading the Way on Climate
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