City Growth Continues in 2013

Between 2010 and 2013, the population of the nation's 743 largest cities (incorporated places with populations of 50,000 or more in 2013) climbed 3.3 percent while the remainder of the United States grew by a smaller 1.8 percent. Of the 743 largest cities, only 67 lost population between 2010 and 2013. City growth between 2010 and 2013 varies little by city size, and large cities of all sizes are growing faster than elsewhere.

City population growth 2010-2013 by city size
1 million or more: 3.1%
500,000 to 999,999: 4.0%
250,000 to 499,999: 3.3%
200,000 to 249,999: 3.5%
150,000 to 199,999: 2.9%
100,000 to 149,999: 3.5%
50,000 to 99,999: 3.1%

A year-over-year analysis of population trends shows the same pattern, with large cities growing faster than the remainder of the United States every year since 2010.

2010-11 population growth
Large cities: 1.0%
Outside large cities: 0.6%

2011-12 population growth
Large cities: 1.1%
Outside large cities: 0.5%

2012-13 population growth
Large cities: 1.0%
Outside large cities: 0.6%

Source: Census Bureau, City and Town Totals: Vintage 2013