Match The City To The State
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Lifestyle
The United States is the third largest country by population. As of 2017 figures, the country had a population of over 326 million people with an average growth of 0.73 percent, which trailed nations such as India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Mexico, Canada, and South Africa. And while the United States is the fourth largest country in terms of land area, over 82 percent of its residents live in major urban centers. In fact, 10 cities have at least one million people, which is more than 140 countries. Even more amazing than that figure, however, is the fact the country has over 300 cities with at least 100,000 citizens.
Having that many major cities can make it difficult to remember which of the 50 states those cities belong to, even with extensive education from public school through to university. Unless you're a geography major, you might have trouble remembering which state Wichita, Boise, or Madison are in. Don't worry too much if you have trouble though. A lot of people never really learn too much about the world outside their immediate area. You might be able to place all the neighborhoods in your town or city, or maybe even your county, but chances are you'll never be able to place these 50 cities in the correct state!
In which state is Bakersfield?
A prominent city located within Kern County, Bakersfield occupies roughly 142 square miles and has a population of over 365,000, making it the 52nd most populous city in the United States. It's considered a significant hub for oil and agriculture, but also has large-scale operations in energy extraction, mining, petroleum refining, food processing, and aerospace. The city is home to a pair of professional sports teams - the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League and the Bakersfield Train Robbers, a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pecos League.
In which state is Baltimore?
The 29th most populous city in the United States, Baltimore is home to 614,664 residents. It was founded in 1729 and named in honor of Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron of Baltimore, who died in 1675. Baltimore is rich in history as it was the city in which Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner in the War of 1812 and it is also the birthplace of Edgar Allen Poe, Frederick Douglass, Billie Holiday, and Babe Ruth. It's also the setting for the incredibly-popular HBO series The Wire.
In which state is Raleigh?
The capital of its state, Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and, as of July 1, 2015, had a population of 451,066. It was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who founded the lost Roanoke Colony that was featured prominently during the most recent season of American Horror Story. It is home to a prominent NCAA school as well as the Hurricanes National Hockey League franchise. Its most famous present-day residents include Clay Aiken, Petey Pablo, Justin Gatlin, and Evan Rachel Wood.
In which state is St. Louis?
Located along the western bank of the Mississippi River, St. Louis was founded in 1764 by French fur traders and named after Louis IX of France. The Midwest city was acquired by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Today, St. Louis is home to major corporations such as Anheuser-Busch, Boeing Defense, and Energizer, as well as professional sports teams the Cardinals and Blues. It was also home to the Greatest Show on Turf when the Rams National Football League franchised played there, but the team has since moved to Los Angeles.
In which state is Corpus Christi?
A coastal city in the southern United States, Corpus Christi is the eighth-most populous city in its state with an estimated population of 442,600. The city's name is translated in Latin to Body of Christ and was given to the settlement back in 1519 by Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda. Tourism materials created by the city often refer to it as the Sparkling City by the Sea. It isn't home to any major professional sporting teams, but numerous popular films have been shot in the city, including Pearl Harbor, The Legend of Billie Jean, and The Open Road.
In which state is Anchorage?
The most populous city in its state, Achorage is home to nearly 300,000 residents and contains over 40 percent of its state's total population, which only trails New York as the most densely-populated city within an individual state. It has been named an All-America City by the National Civic League in 1956, 1965, 1985, and 2002. Though it doesn't have any major sports franchises, the city receives nationwide attention at the beginning of March as it hosts the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Some of its most famous residents include National Hockey League players Brandon Dubinsky and Scott Gomez.
In which state is Wichita?
The largest city in its state, Wichita had a 2016 estimated population of 389,902. In the mid-to-late 19th century, it was a prominent trading post along the Chisholm Trail before becoming incorporated as an urban center in 1870 and subsequently being referred to as Cowtown as it became a popular destination for cattle drives. The city was ranked ninth in a 2006 CNN/Money list of the 10 best big cities in the United States in which to live, while two years later MSN Real Estate ranked it atop its list of most affordable cities.
In which state is Tucson?
The Tucson metropolitan area has a population of nearly one million, while the city itself, according to the 2010 United States Census, has a population of 520,116. It is located 60 miles north of the United States-Mexico border and is the 33rd largest city in the country. It's home to annual festivals and shows such as the Tucson Folk Festival, Tucson Festival of Books, and the Tucson Rodeo. It's also host to the American Hockey League's Tucson Roadrunners, an affiliated team of the NHL's Coyotes franchise.
In which state is Honolulu?
A major hub for international business and military defense, Honolulu is the capital and most populous city of its state with a population of 337,256. In 2015, it was ranked as one of the safest cities to live in the United States and also scored high on the world livability rankings. In popular culture, the city served as the backdrop to popular TV series such as Lost and is the birthplace of notable celebrities such as professional golfer Michelle Wie, football player Marcus Mariota, and recording artist Bruno Mars.
In which state is Fresno?
The Spanish word for ash tree, Fresno was named by settlers in 1872 for its abundance of ash trees along the San Joaquin River. Since its founding, it has become the economic hub of the San Joaquin Valley and is also regarded as the birthplace of the BankAmericard credit card, which we know today as Visa. It's the fifth most populous city in its state and 34th most in the country with a 2016 census population of 520,159. Prominent Fresno natives include T.J. McDonald of the Los Angeles Rams, Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders, and Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants.
In which state is Milwaukee?
The fifth largest state in the Midwest, Milwaukee has a population of over 600,000 and is best known for its brewing tradition. In the mid-19th century, there was over two dozen breweries in the city, most of which were owned by Germans, while historian James Buck counted 138 taverns in the city in 1843, which amounted to one per every 40 residents. Today, it's home to Miller Brewing Co. as well as Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson Controls, Harley-Davidson, and Rockwell Automation.
In which state is Memphis?
Home to the National Basketball Association's Memphis Grizzlies, which is partly owned by native resident Justin Timberlake, Memphis is the second largest urban center in its state and has a population of over 650,000. It was founded in 1819 as a planned city by a group of well-off Americans that included Andrew Jackson, who later served as President of the United States. The city has served as the backdrop to dozens of popular Hollywood films, including The Silence of the Lambs, Hustle & Flow, Walk the Line, and Man on the Moon.
In which state is Indianapolis?
Home of the Colts NFL franchise, Indianapolis is the 15th most populous city in the United States with a 2016 census population of 855,164. It's also the 16th biggest city in terms of land area. The Midwest city is home to the American Legion headquarters as well as The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Once home to a thriving auto industry, the city lost approximately 26,900 manufacturing jobs from 1990 to 2012. Major sectors of the city's economy today include biotechnology, healthcare, and life sciences.
In which state is Boise?
The most populous city in its state, Boise is the 99th largest urban area in the United States with a 2016 census population of 223,154. Additionally, It trails only Portland and Seattle as the most populated cities in the Pacific Northwest region. The city is host to the Boise State University athletic teams as well as the Steelheads of the East Coast Hockey League and the Boise Hawks Single-A minor league baseball team. The city was ranked by Farmer's Insurance as the most secure place to live in 2006.
In which state is Birmingham?
Also a major city center in England, across the pond Birmingham is best known as the most populous city in this southern state. As of the 2016 census, it had a population of 212,157, which ranked 102nd among cities in the country. Birmingham was founded in 1871 by the Elyton Land Company and soon after become of the most rapidly growing cities in the United States. By 1911, nearby towns had been absorbed into Birmingham and it became known as "The Magic City," due to its rapid expansion.
In which state is Akron?
Akron is the fifth largest city in its state with a population of 197,542. It's dubbed the Rubber Capital of the World due to major tire companies like Goodyear, Goodrich, Firestone Tire, and General Tire being founded in the city from 1869 to 1915. Subsequently, it was America's fastest growing city from 1910 to 1920 with an incredible 201 percent increase in population. As much as its known for innovation, Akron is today best known for producing one of the greatest basketball players of all-time - LeBron James.
In which state is Des Moines?
Des Moines was founded in 1843 and incorporated as a city on September 22, 1851 as Fort Des Moines, although that was shortened to Des Moines six years later. With a population of 215,472, it is the most populous city in its state. After consistent declines in population from 1960 to 1980, when it had a population of 191,003, the city has since steadily risen in population. It's host to the Wells Fargo Arena, which is the home stadium of the Minnesota Wild's American Hockey League affiliate.
In which state is Little Rock?
Little Rock is home to the headquarters of the Clinton Foundation and it's where Bill Clinton lived while serving as Governor of the state. Incorporated as a city in 1831, Little Rock is also home to the headquarters of Windstream Communications, Axicom, and Heifer International. It's the capital of its state and its name is derived from a rock formation along the Arkansas River observed by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Benard de La Harpe in the 1720s. As of the 2016 census, it has a population of 198,541.
In which state is Tallahassee?
Tallahassee has a population of 190,894 as of the 2016 census and is the capital of its state, despite being only its seventh most populous city. It's home to two of the most prominent universities in the state as well as in the entire United States and has a student population of over 70,000 every year. It earned its second All-American City Award by the National Civic League in 2015. It's the birthplace of popular musicians Jim Morrison, George Clinton, and T-Pain.
In which state is Providence?
Founded by religious exile Roger Williams in 1636, Providence is one of the United States' oldest cities and one of the first to industrialize, later becoming known for its expansive textile manufacturing industry. Previously known as the Beehive of Industry, it rebranded itself in 2009 as the Creative Capital, placing an emphasis on its growing arts community. It's the most populous city in its state with a total population of 179,207, which is up considerably from estimates in the 1980s, but not quite as high as the 248,674 estimate from the 1950s.
In which state is Overland Park?
The second most populous city in its state, Overland Park is part of Johnson County and is home to over 173,000 residents as of the 2016 census. A relatively new city, it was founded in 1905 by William B. Strang Jr., who developed subdivisions along a 600-acre land he purchased that now makes up the city's old downtown core. One of the subdivisions on that plot of land was Overland Park. It is best known as the site for the first airplane flight west of the Mississippi as well as the host of Wright brothers' air shows.
In which state is Columbus?
The 14th largest city in the United States, Columbus has a population of 860,090, according to the 2016 census. It's the third most populous state capital in the United States and its metropolitan area encompasses 10 counties with a combined population of over two million. It was ranked by Money Magazine in 2016 as one of The 6 Best Big Cities in the country as well as the best in the Midwest. It is home to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League as well as the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.
In which state is Spokane?
Located in the Northwestern United States, Spokane is the second largest city in its state and the 102nd largest city in the United States with a total population of over 208,000. It was once a long-term European settlement that, upon completion of the Northern Pacific Railway, was named Spokan Falls. It was host to the first World's Fair with an environmental theme at Expo '74 and today is the home city of the Spokane Indians minor league baseball team and the Spokane Chiefs, a junior hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League.
In which state is Chattanooga?
The fourth largest city in its state, Chattanooga has a population of over 176,000 and serves as a transit hub for the rest of the state as well as nearby states due to its strategic location. Situated along the transition of the ridge and valley portion of the Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains, its aptly titled the Scenic City and has unofficial nicknames such as River City and Chattown. It's known internationally as the subject of Glenn Miller's 1941 song Chattanooga Choo Choo.
In which state is Sioux Falls?
The 47th fastest growing city in the United States, Sioux Falls had a population of 174,360 as of 2016 and is the uncontested largest city in its state. Nicknamed The Best Little City in America, Sioux Falls doesn't employ a state corporate income tax and, as such, is home to some of the country's largest and most prosperous financial companies, including Wells Fargo and Citigroup, which moved to the city in 1981 and fostered incredible population growth. In 1980, Sioux Falls was home to only 81,000 people and that number has since more than doubled.
In which state is Rancho Cucamonga?
A rapidly-growing city, Rancho Cucamonga's population rose from 165,269 in 2010 to 176,534 in 2016, which makes it the third most populous city within its county. The 39.9 square mile city has one of the warmest climates in the country and experiences an average of 287 sunny days per year as opposed to the national average of 205 days. Its yearly precipitation is only 17.68 inches. It isn't home to any major professional sports franchises, but it's where the main characters of the popular Comedy Central series Workaholics are said to live.
In which state is Dayton?
The sixth largest city in its state, Dayton is best known for its defense, aerospace, and healthcare industries. It's also a thriving arts community that ranked among the top 10 in the country in regard to arts and culture offerings. In 2012, it was ranked second on a list of the top arts destinations, ahead of thriving communities such as St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Atlanta. The 2015 estimate of the city's population was 140,599, which ranked 179th in the United States, however its metropolitan area had a total of nearly 800,000 residents.
In which state is Savannah?
The oldest city in its state, Savannah was established in 1733 and was originally the British colonial capital of the province (state). An Atlantic seaport, it's the states fifth largest city with a population of 146,763. Its notable tourist destinations include its cobblestone streets, the Savannah Historic District, and the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences. It's also the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA. It has a minor league baseball team as well as an American Indoor Football team.
In which state is Newark?
The 70th largest city in the United States as of the 2016 census, Newark has a population of roughly 280,000. The Northeastern city was first settled in 1666 by New Haven Colony Puritans and is regarded as the site of one of the first European settlements. Its Newark Liberty International Airport was the country's first municipal commercial airport and continues to be one of the busiest. Its home to numerous prominent companies, including Prudential, Panasonic Corporation of North America, and Audible.com.
In which state is Omaha?
Founded along the Missouri River in 1854 by spectators from a neighboring city in Iowa, Omaha was once referred to as the Gateway to the West and, throughout the early 20th century, served as a major national transportation hub. Its the home of Fortune 500 companies such as Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company run by Warren Buffett that owns significant portions of The Coca-Cola Company, Wells Fargo, and IBM. As of the 2016 census, Omaha had a population of 446,970, up nearly 40,000 from six years prior.
In which state is Topeka?
The capital of its state, Topeka received its name as a Kansa-Osage translation that means "place where we dug potatoes." It was founded in the early 19th century and later renamed to Topeka as its founders thought the name "was novel, of Indian origin and euphonious of sound." It's best known nationally for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which overturned a controversial ruling and declared racial segregation in the public school system to be unconstitutional.
In which state is Gainesville?
Home to a popular university with the Gators as its athletic team name, Gainesville was ranked in 2007 by National Geographic Adventure as one of the "best places to live and play" in the United States. It was also ranked as the best place to live in North America in a 2007 edition of Cities Ranked and Rated. It was first settled in 1854 and later incorporated as a city in 1869. Today, the city has a population of 131,591, which ranks 206th among American cities.
In which state is Grand Rapids?
Home to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, Grand Rapids is part of Kent County and was founded in 1826 before being incorporated as a city in 1850. As of the 2016 census, the city had a population of 196,445, which represented an increase of over 8,000 from 2010 figures. It has a long and decorated history as a center for the United States' thriving automobile industry, particularly at the turn of the 20th century, when it was home to the Austin Automobile Company.
In which state is Billings?
The largest city in its state, Billings has a population of 166,855 and is currently the fastest-growing city within its state due in part to a prospering economy. It holds the distinction of being one of the few areas in the country to avoid the drastic economic downturn that affected the United States from 2008 to 2012, while it also was barely affected by the housing bust. It was founded as a railroad town in 1882 and was named in honor of Frederick H. Billings, a former Northern Pacific Railroad president.
In which state is Bismarck?
The second most populous city in its state behind another city that shares its name with a popular film and TV series, Bismarck has a population of 72,417 and was ranked in 2015 by Forbes Magazine as the seventh fastest growing city in the United States. As of 2010, it only had 61,272 residents. Located across the river from neighboring city Mandan, Bismarck was named after a Native American tribe, which inhabited the region for thousands of years before European settlers descended upon it in 1872.
In which state is St. Cloud?
Perhaps not surprisingly, given which state the city is located in, St. Cloud is home to several past and present prominent National Hockey League players, including Joel Otto, Nate Schmidt, and Kurt Sauer. Founded in 1856 by European settlers, the city has been experiencing consistent population growth since the 1960s, when it has only 32,415 residents to present day totals of 67,641. Its top employers are St. Cloud Hospital and St. Cloud State University, which has an annual average student population of 16,457 students from over 80 different countries.
In which state is Louisville?
Perhaps best known for its university, which prominently features top-rated Division-1 collegiate football and basketball teams, Louisville is part of Jefferson County and was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark and incorporated as a city in 1828. It was named in honor of Louis XVI of France, whose soldiers, at the time, were helping Americans fight in the Revolutionary War. As of 2014 estimates, it has a population of 612,780, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States.
In which state is Buffalo?
Home to the Sabres of the National Hockey League and the Bills of the National Football League, Buffalo borders the Canadian province of Ontario near Niagara Falls and has a total population of 275,983. Its metropolitan area has a population of over one million, while its cross-border Buffalo-Niagara Region is comprised of eight United States Counties and two Canadian municipalities and has a combined population of nearly 2.5 million. Regarded as The Queen City, it was first settled in 1789 and incorporated as a city in 1832.
In which state is Reno?
Located near Lake Tahoe, Reno is best known for its abundance of hotels and casinos; it's also the birthplace of Harrah's Entertainment, which is now known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation. It's the most populous city in its state with an estimated population of 245,255, which is 20,000 increase from 2010 estimates. Reno is home to the National Automobile Museum, the Wilbur D. May Center, and the annual Burning Man festival. It has been the site of popular films such as Kingpin, Magnolia, and Sister Act.
In which state is Madison?
The second most populous city within its state with a 2016 population of 252,551, Madison was founded in 1829 and named state capital 19 years later when the state was admitted to the Union. Its biggest employers are the state government as well as the university which bears the name of the state, while its known prominently for its extensive network of bike trails and state parks, which were designed by famed landscape architect John Nolen. The city's population has risen considerably since 1950, when it had only 96,056 residents.
In which state is Eugene?
The second most populous city in its state, Eugene is part of Lane County and, as of the 2016 census, had a population of 156,185. It's best known for its natural environment that provides its residents with numerous recreational opportunities, including numerous bike trails and lakes in which individuals can kayak; in fact, its official slogan is "A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors," which might not be all that creative given its known for the arts, but we'll ignore that.
In which state is Cheyenne?
The most populous city in its state, Cheyenne was founded in 1867 by General Grenville M. Dodge, but was named by friends of his who accompanied him on the trip in honor of the American Indian Cheyenne nation. As of the 2016 census, the city had a population of 64,019, which marked it as the 564th most populous city in the United States. Though it is characterized by cold winters, the temperature can often experience stark changes through Chinook winds that blow downslope from the Rockies and bring warmer conditions.
In which state is Rockford?
The third largest city in its state, Rockford is known as the Forest City and is regarded for its numerous culturally-significant venues, including the Anderson Japanese Gardens, the Coronado Theatre, and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. Rockford is the birthplace of the band Cheap Trick as well as actor/comedian Natasha Leggero and Michelle Williams, who was once part of Destiny's Child. Its home to the Rockford IceHogs, the minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks as well as the Rockford Ravens rugby team.
In which state is Salt Lake City?
As of 2014 estimates, Salt Lake City had a population of 190,884 and was the largest area of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which had a population of 1.2 million. The city was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and consequently is the site of Brigham Young University. It's also host to the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, in 2002, welcomed the best athletes in the world for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
In which state is Pittsburgh?
Home to professional sports franchises such as the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League, Pittsburgh is regarded as The Steel City due to its history of industrialization and the fact it has over 300 steel-related businesses. It's also home to 68 colleges and universities as well as federal headquarters for software engineering, robotics, energy research, and cyber defense. As of 2016 estimates, the city had a population of 303,625 residents.
In which state is Manchester?
Sharing a name with a city in the United Kingdom as well as its prominent soccer (football) franchise, Manchester is a Northeastern port city and the largest city within its state. As of the 2016 census, Manchester had a population of 110,506. In 2009, it was ranked 13th by CNNMoney.com in its list of 100 best cities to live and grow a business. It's also one of the most tax-friendly cities in the country and, consequently, was ranked by Forbes as one of "America's 100 Cheapest Places to Live."
In which state is Scottsdale?
Named after founder Winfield Scott in 1894, Scottsdale was incorporated as a city in 1951 with a population of 2,000 and since then the city's population has drastically risen to its 2016 figure of 236,839. It's regarded as one of the best golf and resort destinations in the world as its numerous golf courses make up a large portion of its tourism revenue. New York Times described the city as "a desert version of Miami's South Beach" and as having "plenty of late night partying and a buzzing hotel scene."
In which state is Burlington?
An incredibly popular name for cities and towns, Burlington is the name of four urban centers in Canada, two in England, and 27 in the United States. Although Burlington, North Carolina is the most populous city in the United States that goes by the name, we're asking about the city that is in this Northeastern state. This Burlington has a municipal population of 42,452 and is located south of the United States-Canada border near Montreal. It became the first U.S. city to run solely on renewable energy in 2015.
In which state is Albuquerque?
The backdrop to the popular AMC series Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Albuquerque straddles the Rio Grande and has a population of 559,277, making it the 32nd most populous city in the United States. It's home to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, Presbyterian Health Services, and the International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place every year during the first week of October. It was named in honor of Francisco, Duke of Alburquerque, who served as viceroy of New Spain from 1653 to 1660.
In which state is Norfolk?
Like Burlington, there are several towns and cities throughout North America with Norfolk as its name, not to mention a major county in England. For our purposes, this city is the second most populous in its state with a population of 242,803 and is bordered by Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay. It's home to the largest Navy base in the world and has a decorated history as a strategic transportation and military hub. It was founded in 1682 and incorporated as a city in 1736.