What is Population Density?
Population density is a measure used to calculate the amount of people living within a particular area, usually per square kilometer or mile. It is an important factor to consider when determining the health of a particular region, as well as for measuring the overall population of a country. It is also useful for determining the availability of resources in a certain area.
What are the Most Densely Populated US States?
When it comes to population density in the US, certain states stand out from the rest. The most densely populated US state is New Jersey, with 1,220 people per square mile. This is followed closely by Rhode Island, with 1,019 people per square mile. Thirdly is Massachusetts, with 869 people per square mile. These are the three states which have the highest population density in the US.
The Next 4 Most Populous US States
The next four most densely populated US states are Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware and New York. Maryland has 617 people per square mile, Connecticut has 580 people per square mile, Delaware has 545 people per square mile, and New York has 421 people per square mile. All four of these states have a higher population density than the national average, making them standout when compared to the rest of the US.
The Least Populated US States
At the other end of the spectrum, the least densely populated US states are Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Alaska has only 1.2 people per square mile, making it the least populated US state. Montana follows with 6.9 people per square mile, Wyoming has 5.8 people per square mile, North Dakota has 10.6 people per square mile, and South Dakota has 11.2 people per square mile. These five states are the least densely populated in the US.
The Population Density of All 50 US States
Ranking from highest to lowest, here is the population density of all 50 US states:
1. New Jersey (1,220 people per square mile)
2. Rhode Island (1,019 people per square mile)
3. Massachusetts (869 people per square mile)
4. Maryland (617 people per square mile)
5. Connecticut (580 people per square mile)
6. Delaware (545 people per square mile)
7. New York (421 people per square mile)
8. Florida (411 people per square mile)
9. California (256 people per square mile)
10. Hawaii (217 people per square mile)
11. Virginia (201 people per square mile)
12. Illinois (231 people per square mile)
13. Pennsylvania (284 people per square mile)
14. Ohio (281