Largest U.S. Cities by Population: 2025–2026 Rankings and Trends
New York remains the largest U.S. city by population, with more than 8.5 million residents, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago. The latest Census Bureau estimates show 12 cities above one million, with Texas and the Sun Belt driving much of the growth. This article breaks down the top rankings, year-over-year changes, and what city-proper population figures do and do not capture.