Top 10 Biggest States by Population in the United States

Sally Polly November 16, 2021 | 15:05

The United States ranks among the world's largest nations. See below for a breakdown of the population density of each state in the United States.

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What are the Biggest States in the US by Population? 10. New Jersey 9. North Carolina 8. Georgia 7. Ohio 6. Illinois 5. Pennsylvania 5. Pennsylvania 4. New York 3. Florida 2. Texas 1. California

The United States has a population of over 334,233,854 people (as of May 2023). This population is dispersed unevenly among the 50 states. In general, the states closest to the country's border - the West Coast, East Coast, and southern states - have the most people. States in the interior, such as those in the Great Plains and Midwest, have a lower population density. According to World Population Review, there are some exceptions, such as Illinois, which is in the Midwest but has a large population, centered primarily in the Chicago area.

California is by far the most populous state in the United States. It is home to nearly 40 million people, accounting for 12% of the country's population. If California were a country, it would have the world's eighth largest economy and the 36th largest population!

We compiled a list of the ten largest states in the United States by population after reviewing websites, various sources, and researches.

Check More: Top 10 Most Populated States in the U.S 2023

What are the Biggest States in the US by Population?

10. New Jersey

New Jersey

Both the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States contain the state of New Jersey. Its neighbors to the north and east are New York, while those to the east, southeast, and south are the Atlantic Ocean, Pennsylvania, the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and the state of Delaware. Despite being the fifth-smallest state in terms of land area at 7,354 square miles (19,050 km2), New Jersey is the 11th most populous and the most densely populated state in the nation. Trenton serves as the state capital, but Newark is the city with the most residents in the state. Only one county in the state, Warren, is not included in the combined statistical areas of New York City or Philadelphia.

Millions of tourists visit New York City each year, but its eastern neighbor, New Jersey, is also worthwhile. As the third state to join the Union, New Jersey, also known as the Garden State, is a state rich in culture, history, and scenic beauty. New Jersey is a fantastic destination, according to Travel + Leisure, for a variety of reasons.

It's important to remember that New Jersey has four separate seasons. Summers can be very warm, but the heat is dry and pleasant. The best time to visit New Jersey is in the late spring or early summer. Autumn, when the leaves change color, is when The Garden State truly lives up to its name. Another piece of advice for visitors to New Jersey is to spend as little time in the city as possible and instead concentrate on weekday day trips to the beach.

9. North Carolina

Southeast of the United States is home to the state of North Carolina. The 28th-largest state in terms of area and population in the US is North Carolina. Its northern border is with Virginia, its eastern border is with the Atlantic Ocean, and its southern, western, and western borders are with Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Raleigh serves as the state's capital, and Charlotte is its largest city. The Charlotte metropolitan area is the most populous in North Carolina, the 23rd most populous in the United States, and the second largest banking center in the nation after New York City with an estimated population of 2,569,213 as of 2018. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area is the second-largest metro area in the state, with a population of 2,079,687 expected in 2019. The biggest research park in the US, Research Triangle Park, is also located there.

North Carolina is a lovely state to visit and learn about, from the mountains to the coast. According to North Carolina, the state offers a wide variety of activities and destinations, ranging from the western mountains to the gorgeous sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast to the isolated islands that make up the chain of islands on the Outer Banks.

If you live in North Carolina and want to learn more about the state, or if you reside in another state and want to visit or take a vacation in North Carolina, North Carolina Travel can be of assistance to you. We inform you about the towns and cities, amusing destinations, and current events. From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina offers a wealth of attractions.

8. Georgia

Photo: UNIMATES Education

An American state in the Southeast is called Georgia. To the north, it borders Tennessee and North Carolina, to the northeast, South Carolina, to the southeast, Florida, and to the west, Alabama. To the south, it borders the Atlantic Ocean. Georgia is the 24th largest and 8th most populous state in the nation. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 10,711,908 people will call it home in 2020. The state's largest city and capital are both in Atlanta. It is a global "beta" city. The Atlanta metropolitan area will have more than 6 million residents by 2020, ranking it as the ninth most populous metro area in the country. There will be 57% of Georgians living there.

Georgia is a well-known tourist destination in the American South. There are numerous distinctive sights and experiences that are only present there. Georgia stands out because it meets and exceeds standards. Georgia has much more to offer than just peaches, despite being well-known for them. Its population is diverse, its cities and towns are both large and small, and its landscapes range from the mountains to the beach. Visit According to the USA, this state constantly redefines what it means to be Southern through its distinctive settings, inhabitants, and worldviews.

7. Ohio

Ohio is a state in the Midwest of the United States. It is the seventh most populous and tenth most crowded state in terms of population, with almost 11.8 million residents. It is also the 34th largest state in terms of land area. The state's capital and largest city is Columbus. The Columbus metro area, Greater Cincinnati, and Greater Cleveland are the three largest metropolitan areas. Ohio is bordered to the north by Lake Erie, to the east by Pennsylvania, to the southeast by West Virginia, to the southwest by Kentucky, to the west by Indiana, and to the northwest by Michigan. Because of its Ohio buckeye trees, Ohio has been referred to as the "Buckeye State" for a very long time. Another nickname for Ohioans is "Buckeyes." Its flag is the only non-rectangular one in the United States.

Many tourists travel to Ohio to experience its historic Indian culture, ski resorts, and Lake Erie's white sand beaches. Lake Erie is home to a wide variety of fish and is open all year for power boating, jet skiing, and parasailing. Rebuilt villages and Amish country in Ohio transport visitors to a simpler era.

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6. Illinois

Photo: The Atlantic

The United States' Midwest region includes a number of states, including Illinois. Among the states in the US, it has the sixth-highest population, GDP, and total land area. According to some, Illinois resembles the entire United States in miniature.

With Chicago in its northeast, minor industrial cities, abundant agricultural production, and natural resources like coal, lumber, and petroleum in its north and center, Illinois is a significant transportation hub. Two of the most significant routes that pass through the Port of Chicago, connecting the state to foreign ports, are the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River via the Illinois River and the Illinois Waterway.

The Mississippi River, the Ohio River, and the Wabash River all abut Illinois in some areas. One of the busiest airports in the world is O'Hare International Airport, which is situated in Chicago. Illinois has always been regarded as a barometer for politics, social movements, and even pop culture up until the 1980s.

5. Pennsylvania

From lush farmland to the skyscrapers of Chicago, this distinctive Midwestern state has one of the most diverse economies and geographical settings in the country. There are many natural resources that can be found there, including coal, oil, and lumber. Illinois, also known as the "Land of Lincoln," is home to the Barack Obama Presidential Center as well as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois has a population density of 228.24 people per square mile, making it the 12th most populous state overall. Moving claims that the majority of people in Illinois reside in Chicago, which is home to close to 2 million people.

The population of the state decreased by 168,700 people between 2010 and 2019, which was the highest absolute reduction of any state, according to Illinois Policy. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Illinois' population fell by 51,250 people between 2018 and 2019.

5. Pennsylvania

Photo: Healthcare Innovation

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a landlocked Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Appalachian state. Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Lake Erie, Ontario, New York, and New Jersey border the Commonwealth, which is bisected by the Appalachian Mountains.

The 2020 U.S. Census counted 13,011,844 people in Pennsylvania, the 33rd-largest state by area and 5th-most populous. It is the 9th most populous state. Philadelphia (6.25 million) and Greater Pittsburgh (6 million) are Pennsylvania's two largest metropolitan areas (2.37 million). Harrisburg is the capital and 15th-largest city. Pennsylvania has 140 miles (225 km) of Lake Erie and Delaware River waterfront.

Why wouldn't you want to visit Pennsylvania, a state rich in historical history, sports, and art? The Keystone, Coal, Oil, and Quaker State is known for its people, vibrant cities (Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, and Pittsburgh, the Birmingham of the north), and vast landscapes in northern Pennsylvania. History buffs should visit Gettysburg and Philadelphia, the birthplace of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers, is a must-see for sports lovers. Pennsylvania has so many elaborate museums that it would take a month to see them all.

4. New York

Photo: Cathay Pacific

NYC is the most populous city in the US. New York City is the most densely populated major US city with 8,804,190 people in 300.46 square miles (778.2 km2). The city is at the southern tip of New York and the center of the world's largest metropolitan area. One of the world's most populous megacities, its metropolitan statistical area has over 20 million people and its combined statistical area has 23 million. The most photographed city in the world, New York City influences commerce, entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, dining, art, fashion, and sports. New York, the world's diplomatic capital, houses the UN.

New York ranks seventh in population density at 412.80 people per square mile, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Most people live in New York City.

The Big Apple is cool, cosmopolitan, crowded, and ever-changing. A vibrant culture permeates Gotham's neighborhoods and boroughs amid its famous landmarks and skyscrapers. Trendsetters visit East Village and Brooklyn indie boutiques, iconic bakeries, and trendy coffee shops. After, visit the MoMA and Met, see a Broadway show, or eat at the latest "it" restaurant, according to U.S. News.

3. Florida

Photo: The Times

Florida, a U.S. state, can be found in the Southeast. Florida is the only U.S. state to have coastlines on both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean; it is bounded to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south by the Straits of Florida and Cuba. Among the 50 states, Florida has the third-highest population and the 22nd-smallest land area, with nearly 21 million people and a total land area of 65,758 square miles.

Jacksonville is the most populated city in the state, while Tallahassee is the capital. With a population of about 6.2 million, the Miami metropolitan area is the most populous in Florida and the ninth most populous in the United States; other major conurbations in Florida with populations over one million include Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville.

Many people love visiting Florida because of all the fun things they can do there. Whether it's the colonial allure of St. Augustine, the pulsating nightlife of Miami, the glamor of Palm Beach, or the calm vastness of the Everglades, nearly every tourist falls in love with at least one aspect of this state. The ocean is always calling for sailing, fishing, diving, swimming, and other water sports, from the pristine white sands of the Panhandle to the colorful coral reefs of the Florida Keys. Fordors claims that if you travel a few miles away from the beaten road, you can catch a glimpse of old Florida, complete with cigar makers and mermaids.

2. Texas

It's in the south central part of the United States that you'll find the state of Texas. It has more than 29.1 million people living in it in 2020, making it the largest state in the United States in terms of both area and population after Alaska. The state has a total area of 268,596 square miles (695,662 square kilometers) (after California). Louisiana is to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south and southwest are Texas's neighbors. The Gulf of Mexico can be found to the southeast.

Given its size and diversity, Texas could be considered a separate nation. The years 1836-1845 saw it functioning as a sovereign nation. Texas is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, from arid badlands and beaches to swimmable coastlines, lush mountains, and open prairies. Visit The USA claims that its communities range from the largest and most advanced metropolises to the smallest and most endearing small towns.

Rodeos, line dancing, and equestrian adventures abound in this area, so fans of country music won't be disappointed. There's also the grilling. BBQ joints like these are some of the best you'll find anywhere (served with a heaping helping of Texas home-style side dishes). Long lines form early in the morning at Austin's Franklin Barbecue, but it's worth the wait.

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1. California

Photo: Wikipedia

Located in the western United States is the state of California. The state of Oregon lies to its north, Nevada and Arizona to its east, and Baja California, Mexico, to its south. It is the most populous and third-largest U.S. state, with over 39.5 million residents and a total area of approximately 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2).

It has more people than any other single subnational entity in the Americas and has the 34th highest population total in the world. Counting in their combined populations, the Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area rank second and fifth among the nation's most populous urban regions, with over 18.7 million and 9.6 million people. California's capital, Sacramento, is located in the state's second-most populous city, Los Angeles (after New York City).

San Bernardino County is the largest in terms of land area, while Los Angeles County has the most people. Because of its dual status as a city and a county, San Francisco has a higher population density than all but one of the United States' other major cities, with the exception of four of New York City's five boroughs.