The ten largest states by population in the United States are the ones you’d probably guess were at the top. The sheer number of residents in these states can make daily life feel like a bustling experience, with millions of people commuting to work on any given Monday morning.
New York is a prime example of a state that feels densely populated — mainly due to New York City, which ranks among the world’s most populous urban centers. Yet, the rest of the state offers a different perspective, with rural homes and serene landscapes.
Conversely, long commutes with sparse encounters may be the norm in less populated states. Remote work becomes necessary to avoid the local scene, giving the illusion of living in a remote area. However, a short drive of an hour or two can lead you to one of America’s largest cities, teeming with activity.
Below, you will find the biggest states by population in the United States based on the most recent Census data.
On the map
The most populous states in America, mapped
Source: HomeSnacks
The verdict
So what’s the most populous state in America for 2026?
We analyzed all of the states in the U.S., looking for the largest population.
Our winner is one that people could guess easily. Not New York, but rather California. It’s no shocker that one of the largest states by land in the U.S. is also the most populous.
But then come the surprising states.
Georgia and North Carolina? They only have one or two massive cities, and pictures of these states usually emphasize their beautiful countryside, beaches, and mountains.
Read on for more on the largest states by population in the United States.
Saturday Night Science
How We Determined The Largest States By Population For 2026
Well, in the grand scheme of the some 60 article types we’ve created for the site over the past four plus years, this has to be the easiest analysis we’ve done.
We used Saturday Night Science to get the population of every state in America using the most recent Census data from the American Community Survey.
- Population
We then ranked each state based on population from highest, California (Obvious), to lowest, Wyoming.
The state with the largest population, California, wins the prize of being the biggest state in America based on population for 2026. We updated this article for 2026. This list is our eleventh time ranking the most populous states in America.
Read on for some more reading about each of the top 10 biggest states and full breakdown of every state at the bottom.
The full plate
All 50 states, ranked by population
Click any column to sort. Search by state name.
| Rank | State | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 38,965,193 |
| 2 | Texas | 30,503,301 |
| 3 | Florida | 22,610,726 |
| 4 | New York | 19,571,216 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 12,961,683 |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,549,689 |
| 7 | Ohio | 11,785,935 |
| 8 | Georgia | 11,029,227 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,835,491 |
| 10 | Michigan | 10,037,261 |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,290,841 |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,715,698 |
| 13 | Washington | 7,812,880 |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,431,344 |
| 15 | Tennessee | 7,126,489 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 7,001,399 |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,862,199 |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,196,156 |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,180,253 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,910,955 |
| 21 | Colorado | 5,877,610 |
| 22 | Minnesota | 5,737,915 |
| 23 | South Carolina | 5,373,555 |
| 24 | Alabama | 5,108,468 |
| 25 | Louisiana | 4,573,749 |
| 26 | Kentucky | 4,526,154 |
| 27 | Oregon | 4,233,358 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | 4,053,824 |
| 29 | Connecticut | 3,617,176 |
| 30 | Utah | 3,417,734 |
| 31 | Iowa | 3,207,004 |
| 32 | Nevada | 3,194,176 |
| 33 | Arkansas | 3,067,732 |
| 34 | Kansas | 2,940,546 |
| 35 | Mississippi | 2,939,690 |
| 36 | New Mexico | 2,114,371 |
| 37 | Nebraska | 1,978,379 |
| 38 | Idaho | 1,964,726 |
| 39 | West Virginia | 1,770,071 |
| 40 | Hawaii | 1,435,138 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 1,402,054 |
| 42 | Maine | 1,395,722 |
| 43 | Montana | 1,132,812 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | 1,095,962 |
| 45 | Delaware | 1,031,890 |
| 46 | South Dakota | 919,318 |
| 47 | North Dakota | 783,926 |
| 48 | Alaska | 733,406 |
| 49 | Vermont | 647,464 |
| 50 | Wyoming | 584,057 |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024.
Conclusion: Biggest States In The US By Population For 2026
That’s a wrap for the states in the U.S. with the biggest population. If you are living out in the boonies of Texas wondering why anyone would move to your state, think again. Moving to Houston could spice up your life a good bit if you are tired of the ranch life.
Population depends on two factors when it comes to U.S. states: state size and city density. You could have a smaller state that is filled with large, densely populated cities and has an overall state population more than a larger state with no one living in it. (Sorry Utah).
Or you can be an underdog for the win and have so much square mileage with a ton of medium-sized cities that you end up coming out ahead.
Either way, you can come to one conclusion from this article: America is massive. It is a constantly growing country, so who knows what next years top 10 will bring. Maybe even Utah will one day make top 10?
The biggest states in the United States by population are California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan.
