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I've compiled a list of every U.S. city that has ever surpassed the half-million mark throughout the history of our nation.
The numbers represent the very highest population each city has ever attained, with the year. PLEASE READ: This is for city proper only-- not urbanized areas or MSA's.
Sources: United States Census Bureau; estimates for 2010 are from Business First, Nov. 22, 2010.
Interesting that Baltimore, Cleveland and St. Louis are still among the top 20 U.S. cities ever.
Considering it's big reputation. it's hard to believe that Miami has never reached the 500k mark.
And it's strange to see Atlanta that far down the list, even below Buffalo!
Those lists on list the city proper.
The metro is a much better benchmark.
MIA has a small population because what is considered Miami proper is very small (land wise).
However, there is no gap in between the dozens of decent size cities surrounding Miami and there so closely packed together that it feels like one big city and you won't even notice you are driving thru multiple cities if you don't see the signs on the side of the road.
Atlanta area is similar, but more spread out than MIA.
For all intensive purposes the city proper of MIA and ATL the whole cities themselves could be considered downtown districts of the Metro.
Those lists on list the city proper.
The metro is a much better benchmark.
MIA has a small population because what is considered Miami proper is very small (land wise).
However, there is no gap in between the dozens of decent size cities surrounding Miami and there so closely packed together that it feels like one big city and you won't even notice you are driving thru multiple cities if you don't see the signs on the side of the road.
Atlanta area is similar, but more spread out than MIA.
For all intensive purposes the city proper of MIA and ATL the whole cities themselves could be considered downtown districts of the Metro.
I realize that MSA populations are more representative of how "big" cities are; that's not the point of this thread. I think looking at highest historical populations of the cities themselves is interesting because several cities reached their peaks decades ago.
If you looked at highest historical populations of MSA's, that list would look pretty much the same as a list of current largest MSA's. Reason: Nearly every current MSA population is the highest it's ever been. Very few MSA's actually grow smaller over time.
I realize that MSA populations are more representative of how "big" cities are; that's not the point of this thread. I think looking at highest historical populations of the cities themselves is interesting because several cities reached their peaks decades ago.
If you looked at highest historical populations of MSA's, that list would look pretty much the same as a list of current largest MSA's. Reason: Nearly every current MSA population is the highest it's ever been. Very few MSA's actually grow smaller over time.
No, I think the chart might look quite different.
Theirs many metros in the US well over 2 million with an anchor city having less than 500K ppl.
I think it's very interesting to see when cities peaked and also the ones peaking at 2010 are obviously the healthy ones today.
The 1950 decade stands out to me the most since that was the time the Freeways were built eliminating so much denisty in so many of the cities (mostly through poor,dense neighborhood in most cities), causing those people to relocate/white flight etc. The cities that peaked at 1950 will probably never see those populations again due to lack of land available without annexing. Yeah they can keep growing in population, but the zoning, freeways, and lost urban areas will make reaching that 1950's number nearly impossible.
I think it's very interesting to see when cities peaked and also the ones peaking at 2010 are obviously the healthy ones today.
The 1950 decade stands out to me the most since that was the time the Freeways were built eliminating so much denisty in so many of the cities (mostly through poor,dense neighborhood in most cities), causing those people to relocate/white flight etc. The cities that peaked at 1950 will probably never see those populations again due to lack of land available without annexing. Yeah they can keep growing in population, but the zoning, freeways, and lost urban areas will make reaching that 1950's number nearly impossible.
Ok, I will. I agree the chart is amazing, and I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned from it.
With the MIA comment however I felt the need to explain to not only him (cause he probably already knows) but anyone who sees this terrific thread about MSA's and how they really are the true test of a cities strength and influence in the USA.
I've compiled a list of every U.S. city that has ever surpassed the half-million mark throughout the history of our nation.
The numbers represent the very highest population each city has ever attained, with the year. PLEASE READ: This is for city proper only-- not urbanized areas or MSA's.
Sources: United States Census Bureau; estimates for 2010 are from Business First, Nov. 22, 2010.
Interesting that Baltimore, Cleveland and St. Louis are still among the top 20 U.S. cities ever.
Considering it's big reputation. it's hard to believe that Miami has never reached the 500k mark.
And it's strange to see Atlanta that far down the list, even below Buffalo!
You know what it says about Miami? They got the big tough guy image, but no balls (balls = population) :P
Also interesting that OKC's city-proper is bigger than KC or Cincinnati's ever was. I knew it was big, but I guess I didn't realize how big.
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