The Four Major U.S. Cities

[Gonzo]

I agree that the top 3 are somewhat obvious by whatever definition you choose.

Personally I think going by pure population to arrive at the answer is lazy when you consider what are "THE cities".

My reaction was to think of something more qualitative - culturally significant, tourist destination, etc.

I suppose you can make an argument for D.C. but I'd vote for Miami as 4 and Dallas a 4B.

This is what I was thinking on as well. I picked Atlanta because there would then be representation of four major regions of the U.S.... northeast, south, midwest, west... each of which has distinctive a vibe, culture, etc.

 

[Heathrow06]

Philly or DC is #4.

Minneapolis and Indy are not remotely in this conversation.

I agree with this. My thought is Philly but can see DC.

 

[ClubCy]

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.

 

[HFCS]

What am I missing about Dallas? I worked there for a week 10 years ago and downtown had comparable activity to Des Moines, at times I felt I was in a sci fi movie where all the people were mysteriously gone. Downtown LA is the crappiest part of LA but at least there’s a ton going on, it’s not just empty.

I’m biased towards Chicago and LA having only lived there decades since ISU. NYC was exactly as I expected on visits, SF and Seattle destroyed my expectations in a good way. DC was more fun than expected even ignoring historical/capitol stuff. Miami’s not my thing but I get why some really like it. Even Minneapolis impresses me in a way. Dallas is the only “major” US city I visited and came away pretty disappointed and confused as to why it’s a big deal.

 

[Sigmapolis]

Who gets Iowa?

Santa Monica through LA out to Palm Springs is mostly or at least semicontinuous.



There is some "pinch" in the San Fernando Valley, but the metro area almost never stops.

There isn't an instance of 110 miles of cornfield and wind farms and not much else like there is between Waukee and Council Bluffs if you're talking about Iowa. I don't think anybody "gets" Iowa.

 

[HFCS]

Santa Monica through LA out to Palm Springs is mostly or at least semicontinuous.

View attachment 153866

There is some "pinch" in the San Fernando Valley, but the metro area almost never stops.

There isn't an instance of 110 miles of cornfield and wind farms and not much else like there is between Waukee and Council Bluffs if you're talking about Iowa. I don't think anybody "gets" Iowa.

The only non city parts are generally mountains/national forest. It’s why I love it, hike my dogs every morning. Didn’t expect that aspect when I moved there from Chicago but it’s my favorite part.

 

[Sigmapolis]

 

[isucy86]

Well, It's not Detroit. Historically...

View attachment 153858

Biggest US Cities in 1970 - Historical Population Data

A historical list of the largest cities in the United States from the 1970 census, ranked by population

www.biggestuscities.com

Polls like this seem to push a narrative about the importance of NY, LA, Chicago, etc. Because of their being financial, media powerhouses (at least historically) and population centers. But most of the people who "live in" those cities, don't really live in those cities.

1. NY MSA = 20.1M / 5 Borough population 8.3M
2. LA MSA = 12.9M / LA population 3.8M
3. Chicago MSA = 9.4M / Chicago population 2.7M

It's no different with an Atlanta or DSM. And in New York's case people talk about Wall Street, but that's really a thing of a bygone era. Same could be said about the central role of LA in flim/TV. Heck it seems like 25% of the TV I watch is filmed in Canada.

If I had to really think about it and say what is THE CITY of America 2025- it's Washington DC. Its about the money, its about the power and the reliance (false IMO) that most people put on decisions that happen there and impact on their daily lives.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

I visited LA and hated it. I live in Chicago and I think the urban design aspect here is impossible to underrate (relative to other large American cities not from colonial times). LA is a bunch of disappointing suburbs in a trench coat. It is probably among the best cities if you have 9 figures but I think it sucks for regular people. Also the homeless population is absurd in LA. And yes I have an actual Chicago address and live near the Blue Line so for me to say that goes to show how bad it really is...

 

[HFCS]

Polls like this seem to push a narrative about the importance of NY, LA, Chicago, etc. Because of their being financial, media powerhouses (at least historically) and population centers. But most of the people who "live in" those cities, don't really live in those cities.

1. NY MSA = 20.1M / 5 Borough population 8.3M
2. LA MSA = 12.9M / LA population 3.8M
3. Chicago MSA = 9.4M / Chicago population 2.7M

It's no different with an Atlanta or DSM. And in New York's case people talk about Wall Street, but that's really a thing of a bygone era. Same could be said about the central role of LA in flim/TV. Heck it seems like 25% of the TV I watch is filmed in Canada.

If I had to really think about it and say what is THE CITY of America 2025- it's Washington DC. Its about the money, its about the power and the reliance (false IMO) that most people put on decisions that happen there and impact on their daily lives.

I’m not sure how a “power centric” list doesn’t also include bay/Silicon Valley.

I’d go nyc/la/bay/dc with that metric though.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

Polls like this seem to push a narrative about the importance of NY, LA, Chicago, etc. Because of their being financial, media powerhouses (at least historically) and population centers. But most of the people who "live in" those cities, don't really live in those cities.

1. NY MSA = 20.1M / 5 Borough population 8.3M
2. LA MSA = 12.9M / LA population 3.8M
3. Chicago MSA = 9.4M / Chicago population 2.7M

It's no different with an Atlanta or DSM. And in New York's case people talk about Wall Street, but that's really a thing of a bygone era. Same could be said about the central role of LA in flim/TV. Heck it seems like 25% of the TV I watch is filmed in Canada.

If I had to really think about it and say what is THE CITY of America 2025- it's Washington DC. Its about the money, its about the power and the reliance (false IMO) that most people put on decisions that happen there and impact on their daily lives.

If those city centers went away I'm sure the suburbs around them would maintain the same population!!!!!! What a smart observation... Ummm ppl live in suburbs actually!

DC has a fuckton of suburbs too?

 

[CYphyllis]

I picked Houston as the 4th and I really think you need a Texas city on their. But your post made me think that Boston has a fairly high profile culturally.

It physically hurts.

 

[isucy86]

I’m not sure how a “power centric” list doesn’t also include bay/Silicon Valley.

I’d go nyc/la/bay/dc with that metric though.

I agree. The 2 most influential areas of the US today are Washington DC and Bay/Silicon Valley. After that it's about being regional population centers: NY, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, DFW/Houston.

 

[2122]

It’s NY, LA, Chicago and DC. Anything else is incorrect.

Yeah, it is those four and then all the rest. Fifth I'd probably go with DFW.
1 NYC
2 DC
3 LA
4 Chicago
5 DFW

And Silicon Valley should be a choice.

 

[ClubCy]

I visited LA and hated it. I live in Chicago and I think the urban design aspect here is impossible to underrate (relative to other large American cities not from colonial times). LA is a bunch of disappointing suburbs in a trench coat. It is probably among the best cities if you have 9 figures but I think it sucks for regular people. Also the homeless population is absurd in LA. And yes I have an actual Chicago address and live near the Blue Line so for me to say that goes to show how bad it really is...

Ironic that I say the same thing about Chicago suburbs and I live in LA. One thing I love about LA and the surrounding neighborhoods is how different they are. Hell, you can have drastically different weather with a 30 min drive and still “be in LA”.



Chicago does have my favorite downtown in the US hand down.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

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.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

Ironic that I say the same thing about Chicago suburbs and I live in LA.

Chicago does have my favorite downtown in the US hand down.

Yeah if I ever moved to the burbs it would be Evanston or Oak Park... old suburbs built before car dominance

 

[matclone]

I say there are three but how could you leave New Orleans and Denver off the list?

 

[CycloneT]

NYC
LA
Chicago
DC

 

[KnappShack]

Ironic that I say the same thing about Chicago suburbs and I live in LA. One thing I love about LA and the surrounding neighborhoods is how different they are. Hell, you can have drastically different weather with a 30 min drive and still “be in LA”.



Chicago does have my favorite downtown in the US hand down.

As soon as my youngest graduates from high school I'm selling this house and moving back to the coast.

I've wasted too many years here already