Urban Transformation

These maps show the extreme variations of US population density

view of the New York City skyline

1 in every 38 people living in America resides in New York. Image: Unsplash/Oliver Niblett

Nick Routley
Creative Director and Writer, Visual Capitalist
  • America has a population of 328 million which is vastly spread out across the country.
  • However, various regions have a significantly higher population than others.
  • This research visualises the rural equivalent of heavily populated areas in America such as New York, offering a different perspective of the country.

America’s 328 million people are spread across a huge amount of territory, but the population density of various regions is far from equal.

It’s no secret that cities like New York have a vastly different population density than, say, a rural county in North Dakota. Even so, this interactive map by Ben Blatt of Slate helps visualize the stark contrast between urban and rural densities in a way that might intrigue you.

How many counties does it take to equal the population of these large urban areas? Let’s find out.

Have you read?

New York City’s Rural Equivalent

New York City (proper) Population: 8.42 million
New York City Population density: 27,547 persons / mi²

New York City became the largest city in the U.S. back in 1781 and has long been the country’s most densely packed urban center. Today, 1 in every 38 people living in the United States resides in The Big Apple.

a map showing New York City's rural equivalent with regards to population
This is the rural equivalent of New York City. Image: Slate

For the northwestern counties above to match the population of New York City, it takes a land area around the size of Mongolia. The region shown above is 645,934 mi², and runs through portions of 12 different states.

In order to match the population of the entire New York metropolitan area, which holds 18 million people and includes adjacent cities and towns in New York state, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the above equivalent area would have to be even more massive.

Los Angeles County’s Rural Equivalent

LA County Population: 10.04 million
LA County Population density: 2,100 persons / mi²

Los Angeles County is home to the 88 incorporated cities that make up the urban area of Los Angeles.

Even excluding nearby population centers such as Anaheim, San Bernadino, and Riverside (which are located in adjacent counties) it is still the most populous county in the United States, with over 10 million inhabitants.

a map showing LA county's rural equivalent
This is the rural equivalent of LA county. Image: Slate

To match this enormous scale in Middle America, it would take 298 counties covering an area of 471,941 mi².

Chicago’s Rural Equivalent

Chicago Metropolitan Area Population: 9.53 million
Chicago Metropolitan Area Population density: 1,318 persons / mi²

Next up is America’s third largest city, Chicago. For this visualization, we’re using the Chicago metropolitan area, which covers the full extent of the city’s population.

a map showing Chicago's rural equivalent
This is the rural equivalent of Chicago. Image: Slate

To match the scale of the population of the Windy City, we would need to add up every county in New Mexico, along with large portions of Colorado, Arizona, and Texas.

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Turning the Tables?

Conversely, what if we transported the people in the country’s least densely populated counties into the middle of an urban center?

a chart showing the least populated areas, with Kalawao County, Hawaii at number one with just 86 people
Kalawao County, Hawaii tops the chart with a population of just 86 people Image: Visual Capitalist

As it turns out, the total population of the five least populated counties is just 1,394—roughly the same amount of people that live on the average Manhattan block.

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