What Is the Most Densely Populated County in the U.S.? County-Level Density Rankings

| Rankings |

New York County, New York — the borough of Manhattan — is the most densely populated county in the United States, with 73,478 residents per square mile in 2025. It is followed by Kings County (Brooklyn), Bronx County, and Queens County, making four of the five densest counties part of New York City. County-level density rankings highlight extreme urban concentration and the wide gap between coastal cities and rural America.

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Homeownership Rate by Race and Ethnicity: Q2 2026 Data and Disparities

| Housing |

In the second quarter of 2026, the U.S. homeownership rate held at 65.0 percent, but large gaps persisted by race and ethnicity. Non-Hispanic White households had a homeownership rate of 74.5 percent, compared with 45.4 percent for Black households and 48.1 percent for Hispanic households. Affordability pressures and limited housing supply kept the overall rate plateaued in a narrow low-to-mid-65 percent band.

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Historical Population Density by State: 1910–2020 Census Trends and Changes

| Population |

U.S. population density rose from 26.0 people per square mile in 1910 to 93.8 in 2020, with the fastest growth in the South and West and persistent concentration along the Eastern Seaboard and Pacific Coast. State-level rankings show New Jersey and Rhode Island among the most densely populated states, while Alaska remains the least dense. This article examines decennial census data, state comparisons, and the factors behind a century of spatial change.

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Net Migration by State: 2025–2026 Rankings and Key Drivers

| Population |

The latest U.S. Census Bureau and moving-industry data show Americans continuing to relocate from high-cost coastal states to Sun Belt and Mountain West destinations. North Carolina recorded the largest net domestic migration gain in the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimates, while California posted the largest net domestic loss. Texas led in total net migration gain according to 2025 moving data, and the California-to-Texas corridor remained the nation’s busiest state-to-state flow.

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Projected Congressional Seat Changes After 2030: Population Shifts by State

| Federal Structure |

New state-level population estimates and mid-decade projections indicate that the 2030 reapportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives could produce some of the largest shifts in congressional representation in recent history. The South and Mountain West are poised to gain seats, while parts of the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast are likely to lose them, with significant consequences for political power and federal funding.

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Homeowner Vacancy Rate by State: 2026 Rankings and What It Means for Buyers

| Housing |

The U.S. homeowner vacancy rate held at 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2026, statistically unchanged from 1.1 percent a year earlier, while the rental vacancy rate remained much higher at 7.3 percent. State-level homeowner vacancy rankings are not available in the latest federal release, but national and regional patterns show a persistently tight owner-occupied market. Buyers face limited for-sale inventory and affordability pressures, while rental supply provides a modest pressure valve.

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U.S. Rental Vacancy Rate: Historical Trends and 2026 Outlook

| Housing |

The U.S. rental vacancy rate reached 7.3 percent in the second quarter of 2026, its highest level since 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The increase reflects a nationwide apartment building boom that has shifted bargaining power toward renters, even as the homeownership rate holds steady at 65.0 percent. This article examines the historical trend, the forces behind the rise, and what the data suggest for the rest of 2026.

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