Urban Population: United States
United States's urban population is currently 80.1% as of 2024. # United States Urban Population The United States has an urban population of 80.
Current (2024)
80.1%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2010)
80.7%
Low (1960)
70.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — United States
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — United States
Analysis# United States Urban Population
The United States has an urban population of 80.125% in 2024, reflecting a nation predominantly concentrated in cities and metropolitan areas. This figure remains near the all-time peak of 80.7% recorded in 2010, demonstrating sustained urbanization over the past decade. Since 1960, when only 69.98% of Americans lived in urban areas, the country has experienced a 14.5 percentage point increase in urban concentration.
Recent years reveal a subtle plateau in urbanization growth. From 2015 through 2024, the urban population percentage fluctuated narrowly between 79.997% and 80.571%, suggesting the United States has reached a saturation point in its urbanization trajectory. The modest uptick from 2020's low of 79.997% to 2024's 80.125% indicates stabilization rather than continued expansion, signaling that future urban growth may occur through internal migration within existing urban centers rather than new urbanization processes.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 80.1% | +0.07% |
| 2023 | 80.1% | +0.05% |
| 2022 | 80.0% | +0.03% |
| 2021 | 80.0% | +0.01% |
| 2020 | 80.0% | -0.17% |
| 2019 | 80.1% | -0.19% |
| 2018 | 80.3% | -0.15% |
| 2017 | 80.4% | -0.12% |
| 2016 | 80.5% | -0.09% |
| 2015 | 80.6% | -0.07% |
| 2014 | 80.6% | -0.05% |
| 2013 | 80.7% | -0.03% |
| 2012 | 80.7% | -0.01% |
| 2011 | 80.7% | -0.00% |
| 2010 | 80.7% | +0.02% |
| 2009 | 80.7% | +0.08% |
| 2008 | 80.6% | +0.13% |
| 2007 | 80.5% | +0.18% |
| 2006 | 80.4% | +0.22% |
| 2005 | 80.2% | +0.25% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 80.0% | +0.27% |
| 2003 | 79.8% | +0.29% |
| 2002 | 79.5% | +0.30% |
| 2001 | 79.3% | +0.30% |
| 2000 | 79.1% | +0.33% |
| 1999 | 78.8% | +0.42% |
| 1998 | 78.5% | +0.50% |
| 1997 | 78.1% | +0.56% |
| 1996 | 77.7% | +0.59% |
| 1995 | 77.2% | +0.60% |
| 1994 | 76.7% | +0.58% |
| 1993 | 76.3% | +0.53% |
| 1992 | 75.9% | +0.46% |
| 1991 | 75.5% | +0.36% |
| 1990 | 75.3% | +0.29% |
| 1989 | 75.1% | +0.27% |
| 1988 | 74.8% | +0.26% |
| 1987 | 74.7% | +0.25% |
| 1986 | 74.5% | +0.23% |
| 1985 | 74.3% | +0.20% |
| 1984 | 74.2% | +0.18% |
| 1983 | 74.0% | +0.15% |
| 1982 | 73.9% | +0.12% |
| 1981 | 73.8% | +0.09% |
| 1980 | 73.8% | +0.06% |
| 1979 | 73.7% | +0.04% |
| 1978 | 73.7% | +0.03% |
| 1977 | 73.7% | +0.03% |
| 1976 | 73.6% | +0.02% |
| 1975 | 73.6% | +0.02% |
| 1974 | 73.6% | +0.02% |
| 1973 | 73.6% | +0.03% |
| 1972 | 73.6% | +0.04% |
| 1971 | 73.5% | +0.05% |
| 1970 | 73.5% | +0.11% |
| 1969 | 73.4% | +0.23% |
| 1968 | 73.2% | +0.35% |
| 1967 | 73.0% | +0.45% |
| 1966 | 72.7% | +0.53% |
| 1965 | 72.3% | +0.59% |
| 1964 | 71.9% | +0.64% |
| 1963 | 71.4% | +0.67% |
| 1962 | 70.9% | +0.68% |
| 1961 | 70.4% | +0.67% |
| 1960 | 70.0% | — |
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