The Four Major U.S. Cities

[Chitowncy]

Looking at this poll, my top two options for number four are not even available. I would have Washington, D.C. (our nation's capital after all and seat of power in this country) as number 4, but if it was not available then Philadelphia (used to be our 4th largest city and might be 5th or 6th now), but significant in terms of history (Declaration of Independent / Constitutional Hall) and importance to our national fabric.

So, I would ask the OP to add these two cities before voting. I think the other top three should be pretty clear in New York (cultural significance world-wide, largest city, etc.), Los Angeles (cultural significance world-wide, second largest city, etc.) and Chicago.

 

[Chitowncy]

I saw a thing on this and to my surprise there was actual debate out there as to which four cities should be defined as THE four U.S. cities.

What say you?

I think you have to amend the poll and add D.C. (our nation's capital for heaven's sake) and Philly to the poll for it to have more credibility.;-)

 

[Chitowncy]

There's only three imo from this list. NYC, Chicago, LA. In my opinion "major" means large pop but also culturally relevant, and those are the only 3 that meet that. Houston and Dallas bring nothing to the table in that regard.

Exactly. See my argument about D.C. and Philly below. In terms of historical significance, cultural significance, these two have to be on this list.

 

[CtownCyclone]

I went with Houston. Energy hub, lots of cultural diversity, major medical center, and people in space start their conversations back to Earth with, "Houston".

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Houston and Dallas are megaplexes with tons of suburban sprawl. For better or worse, what's more American than that? When I went to Dallas, my impression was "yeah, this feels so American, but not necessarily in the best way".

Not surprising how the top 3 are so well defined. I do see the Atlanta argument for better regionality and cultural significance.

 

[Gonzo]

I think you have to amend the poll and add D.C. (our nation's capital for heaven's sake) and Philly to the poll for it to have more credibility.;-)

Yeah I've been getting roasted about that, I tried but I don't think I can alter the list of options in the poll.

 

[JHUNSY]

Seeing a few people referencing different measuring points here.

City limits are so arbitrary that it’s not really apples to apples to compare one city to another on that basis. Otherwise you’d be implying that Fresno or Albuquerque have a stronger standing than Kansas City. Whereas Overland Park, etc. are very much part of what makes Kansas City for example.

CBSAs are far too broad by including surrounding micropolitan areas and the boundaries often change where it’s more difficult to compare these over time because of the inconsistencies. It’s also not hard to realize that these outlying, micropolitan areas oftentimes do not align with their proximate metropolitan counterparts and they have an insignificant influence as it relates to many of the points that we’re considering.

An MSA gives a much better understanding and representation for the demographics, economics, and overall cultural relevance in the identity of these areas.

 

[VeloClone]

I saw a thing on this and to my surprise there was actual debate out there as to which four cities should be defined as THE four U.S. cities.

What say you?

Why?

Why do we have to define "THE 4 U.S. cities"?

 

[CascadeClone]

Houston and Dallas are megaplexes with tons of suburban sprawl. For better or worse, what's more American than that? When I went to Dallas, my impression was "yeah, this feels so American, but not necessarily in the best way".

Not surprising how the top 3 are so well defined. I do see the Atlanta argument for better regionality and cultural significance.

Super well said.

 

[HFCS]

Seeing a few people referencing different measuring points here.

City limits are so arbitrary that it’s not really apples to apples to compare one city to another on that basis. Otherwise you’d be implying that Fresno or Albuquerque have a stronger standing than Kansas City. Whereas Overland Park, etc. are very much part of what makes Kansas City for example.

CBSAs are far too broad by including surrounding micropolitan areas and the boundaries often change where it’s more difficult to compare these over time because of the inconsistencies. It’s also not hard to realize that these outlying, micropolitan areas oftentimes do not align with their proximate metropolitan counterparts and they have an insignificant influence as it relates to many of the points that we’re considering.

An MSA gives a much better understanding and representation for the demographics, economics, and overall cultural relevance in the identity of these areas.

Des Moines is twice as big as San Francisco in square miles. That kind of seals that you have look at "metro" and forget "City".

One has tight geographic border around 75% of it and the other has practically none.

Here in LA it gets really confusing because LA county is so massive and so populated, more than LA city which is already massive and populated on its own. LA city limits is 11 times bigger than SF, LA county is over 100x larger than SF city and county.

 

[isucy86]

Des Moines is twice as big as San Francisco in square miles. That kind of seals that you have look at "metro" and forget "City".

One has tight geographic border around 75% of it and the other has practically none.

Here in LA it gets really confusing because LA county is so massive and so populated, more than LA city which is already massive and populated on its own. LA city limits is 11 times bigger than SF, LA county is over 100x larger than SF city and county.

Part of why a question like this is loaded. And the tendency by people to fall back on some preconceived idea. IMO when someone thinks of New York- they think of Manhattan. But the reality is that New York City (the 5 boroughs), the cities of Queens and Brooklyn are much bigger than Manhattan population wise and geography.

Not as familiar with LA, but when these questions arise, we really aren't talking about the city, but an area. And in modern America, it's more about living/working in the suburbs than the city itself.

I don't think in answering the question the top 4 US Cities people would include: Brooklyn, Queens, Anaheim, Irvine, Waukegan and Naperville. But that really is what modern New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have become.

And it's not just the mega cities. I lived in DSM metro for close to 12 years, with 5 in DSM city limits and the other 7 in the suburbs. When I lived in the suburbs, I might have visited downtown DSM a couple times a month.

 

[VeloClone]

Indianapolis doesn't even have an MLB team.

Nor an MLS team. There is actually a very limited number of cities that have all of the major sports leagues represented: NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS.

Chicago, the Twin Cities, and Denver* are the only metros nearby that have the bases covered. (St. Louis - no NBA; KC - no NHL, no NBA)

*But one could argue that the Rockies aren't an MLB team this year.

 

[JHUNSY]

Des Moines is twice as big as San Francisco in square miles. That kind of seals that you have look at "metro" and forget "City".

One has tight geographic border around 75% of it and the other has practically none.

Here in LA it gets really confusing because LA county is so massive and so populated, more than LA city which is already massive and populated on its own. LA city limits is 11 times bigger than SF, LA county is over 100x larger than SF city and county.

I hear you, and you definitely won’t get any pushback from me in terms of geographical footprint/size and how that could be a contributing factor here. I just don’t think many would suggest Oakland is drastically unique in its identity apart from the bay and San Francisco. Just like many wouldn’t suggest Fort Worth and Dallas are all that different.

Rather, perhaps this factor of density is also what helps strengthen (or hurt) the argument from some of these when it comes to this type of discussion. It could not only reaffirm population/demographics, but it could certainly help unify and align culture, and thus their larger identity.

There are two sides to it. But I still think comparing at the MSA level makes more sense.

 

[ClonerJams]

I always thought Houston was bigger than DFW. Learn something new

 

[TitanClone]

All subjective to where your mind first goes. Population, cultural impact, international perception, historical/political importance.

My mind immediately went to “if I was in another country and asked the question what would they say?”

NYC
LA
Chicago
Miami

I don’t think there is a clear cut answer to #4.

Other countries would probably be that list but Vegas instead of Chicago and just a general Florida instead of Miami

 

[AllInForISU]

If you are a major city, you shouldn’t have another major city within 10 hours of you, minimum. That is why cities like Philly, DC, and Boston would never be on this list IMO.

Indy and Minneapolis shouldn’t be considered either, if for no other reason than its proximity to Chicago.

 

[goclones69]

I figured Atlanta was just obvious as the #4.

Thought Miami was that…

 

[AllInForISU]

I figured Atlanta was just obvious as the #4.

It has literally the busiest airport in the world and has for almost 30 years, couple that with the 36th biggest US city, and covering the southeastern part of the country, I think it has the best argument.

 

[12191987]

I have a hard time putting Philadelphia there. The historical significance and pure population are there but man is it ever a dirty, uncomfortable city.

Pretend all you want, Cheez Whiz is isn’t good.

 

[12191987]

Maybe “high culture” but for pop culture I don’t think you can even have a list, it’s just LA and NYC would be a very distant second.

Like it or not, if you’re music-centric Nashville is important culturally.