similar to European cities than
any other US city. It is
this high
population
density that gives the city its
special character and restless
energy. Other areas in the New
York central metro area also show
high-density figures including Kings
(34,723,) Bronx (31,730) and Queens
(20,453). The other cities in the central
corridor have lower but still significant
peaks of density including Washington
(9378), Baltimore (8039) and
Philadelphia (1,241).
XXXThe areas around these major
cities, that have seen significant
suburbanization of population
and employment, are the next
level of high population
density. Counties such as
Baltimore County, around
Baltimore City, or Middlesex
County around Boston all have
density figures of more than 1000
people per square mile. As more people and
jobs have suburbanized from the central city the
suburban areas have increased in population density. Not as
high as the central cities, and so not enough to sustain public
transport, but enough to create increased traffic and the ongoing
transformation of agricultural and rural land to suburban sprawl.
Medium density sprawl has transformed green field sites into suburbs.
XXXThe lowest population density figures are situated away from the
central spine and especially in the more peripheral areas of
Megalopolis in the southern, western and northern borders of the
region. Clarke County in Virginia is on the southern fringe of the region,
more than two hours commute from Washington DC. With nearly
13,000 people spread over its 177 square miles, the county's density
figure is only about 70 people per square mile.
XXXMegalopolis is the most densely populated area of the country. Its density is
over ten times the national figure. While there are almost 80 people per square
mile in the US there are more than 930 people per square mile in Megalopolis.
XXXSignificant variations can be noted within Megalopolis. The Megalopolis map
illustrates a spine of very high population density along the urban corridor from
Washington through Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York to
New York City
Boston. The highest figures are
Regional Inset
in New York where densities
reach the staggeringly high
66,835 persons per square
mile; this is one of the highest
densities anywhere in the
country.
Because
of
its
economic vitality, New York has
retained its high popula-tion
density long after many other
US
cities
have
lost
population. New York has
population densities
more
District of Columbia
Regional Inset
See
Inset
Persons Per
Square Mile
Over 32000
16001-32000
8001-16000
Persons per Square Mile
Over 800
4001-8000
See
Inset
Mean Value:
931
MILES
KILOMETERS
0
Megalopolis
2001-4000
20
40
60
80
100
1001-2000
201 - 400
Mean-1000
101 - 200
U.S. Mean
Density:
79.6
500-Mean
251-500
MILES 0
20
40
60
80 100
Mean - 100
51 - Mean
0 - 50
Less Than 251
0
401 - 800
KILOMETERS 0
200
400
600
200 400 600 800 1000
800
1000
SOURCE: County and City Data Book, 2000. U.S. Census Bureau