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.

[Lou L]

"...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?"

That depends on whether or not this research will be used for conservative or liberal publication.

If it's for anything conservative, a lie, "fudged" or approximated number will nullify the research and completely debase whatever point the author is trying to convey.

On the other hand, if it's for a liberal publication or the NYT, any number that suits this author's needs is fine.

< / sarcasm >

[xp38]

That's a lot of cities. Just under 400 on average per state.

[AntiGuv]

Oh, and I mentioned the Census 2000 because the Straight Dope figure was printed on February 16, 2000 - when the Census Bureau would've already established its working figure ["special groups were already getting enumerated]. However, it would be most accurate to state 19,355 "incorporated places" as of February of the year 2000.

[AntiGuv]

To be clear, for enumeration purposes, "special groups" include college students, military personnel, prison populations, and transient persons, etc..

[HEY4QDEMS]

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/muscities.html

[decimon]

... I need to know the number of cities that exist and that the United States Government recognizes as a city.

Thankfully, that's not a federal function.

[AntiGuv]

To be even more clear, 'transient' = homeless. Also institutional populations such as nursing homes and mental health centers were "special groups" for enumeration purposes. Dunno what you need this for, so just being thorough!

Have fun with your research.

[PureSolace]

good point ;-)

[x]

There must be tens of thousands of cities in America. In addition, some places set up with "city" in their name when they were first settled never really made the mark as true cities.

The government relies on MSA's -- Metropolitan Statistical Areas. That a city in the built up counties surrounding it. There are 268 of them. Some overlap, like New York and Newark. Each contains many separate cities.

In some ways the MSA is a good measure, because "Chicago" or "San Francisco" doesn't just mean what's inside the city limits. When you live in an area it makes sense what side of city limits you live on, but for those from other parts of the country it hardly matters.

[x]

"That a city in the built up counties surrounding it." = "That's a city and the built-up counties surrounding it."

[triplejake]

Some Limey trivia: in Britain, a community has traditionally be classified as a "city" if and only if it holds a cathedral of the Church of England.

[Wolverine]

Check this: http://www.fedstats.gov/

[Verginius Rufus]

Any place that has "city" in its name obviously has to be included, such as Surf City, NC (pop. 970), Center City, MN (pop. 451), or Southwest City, MO (pop. 600).

[js1138]

99.4 percent of all cities are made up, anyway. Particularly those in California that are populated by people from other planets.