Map of America’s 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas by Populations

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

A metropolitan area, also known as a metro area or urban area, refers to a region that includes a densely populated city and its surrounding suburban and sometimes rural areas. It is typically defined by economic, social, and commuting patterns, rather than strict administrative boundaries. Metropolitan areas are characterized by a high degree of economic integration, shared infrastructure, and interconnectedness among various municipalities.

Metropolitan areas are usually centered around a major city, known as the central city or core city, which serves as the primary cultural and economic hub. The surrounding areas, often referred to as suburbs, are interconnected with the central city through transportation networks and are home to a significant population that frequently commutes to the central city for work, education, or other purposes.

Metropolitan areas can vary significantly in size and population. Some metropolitan areas encompass only a few municipalities and have relatively small populations, while others can span across multiple cities and towns, covering large geographical areas with millions of residents.

Metropolitan areas are important for regional planning, economic development, and policy-making, as they provide a framework for understanding an urbanized region’s social, economic, and demographic dynamics. They often serve as centers of commerce, industry, education, healthcare, and cultural activities, attracting a diverse range of residents, businesses, and institutions.

In the United States 392 metropolitan areas.

Below is the map of the most significant metropolitan areas in the United States in 2017.

The New York-Newark-Jersey City Metropolitan Statistical Area is the largest metropolitan area in the United States. It includes New York City, as well as parts of northern New Jersey, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley in New York State. The population of the New York metropolitan area is estimated to be over 20 million people.

There have been some notable changes in 2019. The list of the most populated statistical areas for 2019 was as follows.

The U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas by Population (2019)

1. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA MSA. – 19,216,182
2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA MSA. – 13,214,799
3. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI MSA. – 9,458,539
4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA. – 7,573,136
5. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX MSA. – 7,066,141
6. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA. – 6,280,487
7. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL MSA. – 6,166,488
8. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA. – 6,102,434
9. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA MSA. – 6,020,364
10. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ MSA. – 4,948,203
11. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH MSA. – 4,873,019
12. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA MSA. – 4,731,803
13. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA. – 4,650,631
14. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI MSA.- 4,319,629
15. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA MSA. – 3,979,845
16. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI MSA.- 3,654,908
17. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA. – 3,338,330
18. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA. – 3,194,831
19. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA. – 2,967,239
20. St. Louis, MO-IL MSA. – 2,803,228
21. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA. – 2,800,053
22. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC MSA. – 2,636,883
23. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL MSA. – 2,608,147
24. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX MSA. – 2,550,960
25. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA. – 2,492,412
26. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA MSA. – 2,363,730
27. Pittsburgh, PA MSA. – 2,317,600
28. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV MSA. – 2,266,715
29. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX MSA. – 2,227,083
30. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN MSA. – 2,221,208
31. Kansas City, MO-KS MSA. – 2,157,990
32. Columbus, OH MSA.- 2,122,271
33. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN MSA. – 2,074,537
34. Cleveland-Elyria, OH MSA. – 2,048,449
35. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA MSA. – 1,990,660
36. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN MSA. – 1,934,317
37. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA. – 1,768,901
38. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA MSA. – 1,624,578
39. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA. – 1,575,179
40. Jacksonville, FL MSA. – 1,559,514
41. Oklahoma City, OK MSA. – 1,408,950
42. Raleigh-Cary, NC MSA. – 1,390,785
43. Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA. – 1,346,045
44. Richmond, VA MSA. – 1,291,900
45. New Orleans-Metairie, LA MSA. – 1,270,530
46. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN MSA. – 1,265,108
47. Salt Lake City, UT MSA. – 1,232,696
48. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT MSA. – 1,204,877
49. Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY MSA. – 1,127,983
50. Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA. – 1,090,435

Are you a fan of maps? We recommend paying attention to the following US maps.

• Laminated World Map & US Map Poster Set – 18″ x 29″ – Wall Chart Maps of the World & United States
• Classic United States USA and World Wall Map Set
• Antique Style USA Map – Wall Chart Map of The United States of America