What is the Number of Cities in America???

[PureSolace]

I'm currently doing research about cities in America, and I need to know the number of cities that exist and that the United States Government recognizes as a city. I tried searching at Google and census.gov, but neither of them could supply me an answer I'm looking for or any contact information that I can use to call someone "In The Know" who could get me this information. Maybe an online Almanac? I dunno, I should try that too. But Please, if anyone on FreeRepublic has any idea, or can help me in my search, please do! :) Thanks.

[Stu Cohen]

Do you have a population threshold of say 10,000 people ... or are you just looking for any incorporated city regardless of the population. Note that the "city" of Vernon, Calfornia has a population of 74.

The World Almanac and Book of Facts contains statistics on the former. I am not sure where to find the definitive number on the latter. "Cities" are created, modified, annexed, etc. somewhere almost weekly. It may be difficult to pin down.

[Maceman]

I'm guessing that your best bet would be to call the governor's offices of each state and ask about the number of cities in each state.

I don't think this would be a particularly daunting task, though it might take you a few days. I do research for a living, and if I could not find a single federal government source or on-line source, and if I really needed an accurate answer, this would be my approach.

You might also find the answer for each state by going to the individual state web sites.

[PureSolace]

Regardless of population, yes. Small and Large... I'm just looking for the number of recognized cities. :)

[sauropod]

Go to the Statistical Abstracts of the US. They are on-line at a Census department website.

[RightWhale]

Try APA, American Planning Assoc. There was a list a couple years ago of the top 1000 metro centers. Anything above 50,000 would probably make the list.

[isom35]

cant you just say "there's a whole bunch" or just make a up a number. whoever reads isnt going to know the right number either, right?

[Bobber58]

http://www.world-gazetteer.com/st/statd.htm

[KarlInOhio]

You might run into some definition problems. For example, in Ohio an incorporated area is a city if its population is greater than 5000 but it is a village if it is less than 5000. Would you include the villages in Ohio, or just the cities?

[non-anonymous]

Minnesota data (PDF), with historical table listing "freestanding incorporated places" by population range. FYI, MN had 728 as of 2000.

[non-anonymous]

Minnesota data (PDF), with historical table listing "freestanding incorporated places" by population range. FYI, MN had 728 as of 2000.

[AntiGuv]

19,355 incorporated cities as of Census 2000.

[PureSolace]

Bobber, thanks for that URL. I've come to this conclusion... The U.S. Census recognizes roughly 3,142 counties / parishes... and the World Gazzette recognizes 3,662 cities at any given time (Including low population cities... That sounds about right... Any thoughts?

[PureSolace]

AntiGuv, what's your source? 19,355??? Wow... I need a source cause that conflicts with what I'm currently working with. :) Any help would be hott!

[Stu Cohen]

Regardless of population, yes. Small and Large... I'm just looking for the number of recognized cities. :)

Yikes. Some are called towns, townships, boroughs, or parishes ... depending on the state.

I would seach for "incorporated places".

Not every state calls all of it's governed populated areas "cities". The US Census Department doesn't even consider it a "city" unless it has more than 10,000 people. And they don't compile detailed statistics until they reach 25,000 people.

You may have to change your definition.

[Kenton]

OK, try this. A city is defined as "An incorporated municipality in the United States with definite boundaries and legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the state"

This is a little misleading, since an incorporated municipality can be either a city or a town, depending on population, and different states have different population requirements for incorporated municipalities, and different requirements for cities vs. towns. For example, an incorporated municipality in Arizona must have at least 2000 people to be considered a city, in Alaska it's 1500.

Check this site out, it will give you the info you need to get started. Once you know the requirements by state, you can do a Google scan for [for example] "incorporated municipalties over 2000, Alaska" for example. It's a little time consuming, having to do it state by state, but after all, I figured this all out in a few minutes of "Googling", so it's do-able!

Good luck with your project!

[Revolting cat!]

16, give or take one or two.

[AntiGuv]

The Straight Dope

The working number of 3,662 you noted above is unquestionably too low. Texas alone had 1,194 incorporated cities as of 1998..

[Grando Calrissian]

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTGeoSearchByListServlet?ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&_lang=en&_ts=82039462500

[AntiGuv]

Good point. It's accurate to say "incorporated places" rather than incorporated cities.