North America's megalopolises are vibrant cityscapes and economic powerhouses with rich histories and cultures, and large populations. While economic stability is prevalent in most, those adjusting to the high populace face overcrowding and a substantial poverty rate. The US, Canada, and Mexico frequently change ranks with growth spurts and timely challenges. These ten most populous cities (metropolitan areas) in North America continue to attract new residents with exciting opportunities and seek balance to adjust to the growing demand.
1. Mexico City, Mexico - 24,700,000

Mexico City is home to a number of immigrants from Canada, the United States, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Residents are a median age of 35 which is ten years higher than in 1995. Its central location attracts businesses and migrants from less-developed areas for jobs. The well-established capital also has a high level of income disparity with distinct classes, and racial gaps, and in 2020 a poverty rate of 33%, but this is significantly lower compared to the national average of 44%.
Read MorePoorest States in Mexico
2. New York City, United States - 23,000,000

NYC is central in global finance with one of the world's highest gross metropolitan products of 1,993 billion in 2021. The city with an amazing cosmopolitan feel, driven by media, culture, and tourism, is home to Times Square and followed from the deepest corners of the planet on TV and films. It is also one of America's worst-hit cities by climate change and is learning to strike balance between pleasing the high number of tourists and ever-growing residents. There are city-sized boroughs of New York City, such as Brooklyn (which was once considered a city) and Queens with respective populations of 2,300,664 and 2,272,771. Projections indicate that the Bronx will grow the most with a 14% increase from 2010 to 2040, and Manhattan by 6.7%.
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3. Los Angeles, United States - 17,500,000

There are over 40% of Latinos, including 31.9% Mexicans, 6% Salvadorans, and 3.6% Guatemalans, most concentrated within East Los Angeles. The 3.2% of Filipino and 2.9% of Korean populations live mostly in Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown, while many of the 1.8% Chinese people occupy the city's outskirts. There are also 0.9% Japanese, Thais, Cambodians, and Middle Eastern populations of Iranians and Armenians through Tehrangeles and Little Armenia, respectively. Following substantial immigration, Latinos and Hispanics outnumber the historically-large African American population within South Los Angeles, with once-black neighborhoods like Compton becoming Hispanic.
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4. Chicago, United States - 9,850,000

Chicago's ethnic distribution roots historically to the racist allocation policy, forcing the black population into cheaper reaches of the Chicago South Side. The trend persists to this day, mostly sans the racial aspect, where the northern side of the city is home to the historically-affluent white communities. There is a clear class distinction with a high average household income of $90,713 contesting the number of poor on the streets and the poverty rate at a high of 20.52%.
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5. Washington DC, United States - 8,750,000

Like many other cities around the US, DC’s biggest outlier is in losing people to immigration. Virginia gained over 26,000 people for 0.3% growth, and Maryland lost 9,950 people. The greater DC Area ranks 53rd largest in the world, with a population density of 11,535 people per square mile and an overall area growth rate of 1% since 2021. There are roughly 41.07% Whites, 45.39% Blacks, and 4.1% Asians living in DC among other ethnicities.
Read MoreDistrict of Columbia
6. Boston, United States - 7,850,000

Boston also became a world leader in equity fund management when banks connected with investment companies and global financial institutions. The non-Hispanic whites dipped from 47% in 2010 to 44.6% in 2020, and Blacks fell from 22.4% to 19.1% in the same decade. The Asians grew from 8.9% to 11.2%, and Hispanics increased from 17.5% to 18.7%. Boston Greater Area places 59th most-populated in the world with a density of 15,058 people per square mile and net growth from last year of 0.8%. Universities also contribute to the economy, along with many medical schools and hospitals for robust health care.
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7. San Francisco, United States - 7,800,000

San Francisco experienced a 2,400% population boom from 1848 to 1849 with the California Gold Rush, and grew steadily since, except for a decline between the 1960s and 1980s. The Chinese are the largest minority group at roughly 21.4% spread mostly through Chinatown, Sunset, and Richmond districts. Filipinos comprise 4.5% of the population for one of the largest Filipino communities outside of the Philippines, living throughout Crocker-Amazon and SoMa. The median age for the area is 38.3 years, with an average household income of $160,396, and a poverty rate of 11.25%.
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8. Toronto, Canada - 7,650,000

The Greater Toronto Area faired well through the economic crisis, coming out strong and growing faster than the national average. With most staying close to the city for work, projections estimate that Toronto may continue to grow. The white population takes a slight majority at 50.2%, with another quarter of East and South Asians including 10.8% Chinese, 1.4% Korean, and 0.5% Japanese, along with 5.1% Filipino, and 2% West Asian. There are also 8.5% Blacks, 2.8% Latinos, 1.1% Arabs, and 0.7% Aboriginal people, while two or more races comprise 1.5%, and 1.3% are another race.
Read MoreToronto
9. Philadelphia, United States - 7,550,000

People who love socialization move to the "Athens of America" for concentrated culture and history. It is the second largest city on the East Coast, enough to support the enormous population, while its Center City houses the second-largest downtown residential population in the US after Manhattan. The 62nd most populous in the world, the city for “Eds and Meds” lost 0.22% since last year, but is growing steadily at an average rate of 0.47%. Philadelphia's average household income is $68,379, with a poverty rate of 27.51%, and a median age of 34.6 years.
Read MorePhiladelphia
10. Dallas, United States - 7,350,000

The largest single ethnicities include 57.75% Whites, 24.30% Blacks, 3.61% Asians, and 7.60% other races. Dallas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, with a steady growth rate of 0.77% and a recent 4.59% increase in population since 2020. Many come for the "big Texas" feel, with vibrant arts, sports, and great weather. It is an exciting and attractive place on par with New York and LA, despite rising rent prices, and long-distance drives.
Read MoreDallas
North America grew from roughly 313 million at the turn of the century to present-day 376 million, and a 0.42% increase since last year. Growing cities have additional responsibility in terms of environment, urban sprawl, and traffic on highways which they must sustain by implementing policies "that work for the people who live there".
Rank | City | Country | Population |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Mexico City | Mexico | 24,700,000 |
2 | New York City | United States | 23,000,000 |
3 | Los Angeles | United States | 17,500,000 |
4 | Chicago | United States | 9,850,000 |
5 | Washington DC | United States | 8,750,000 |
6 | Boston | United States | 7,850,000 |
7 | San Francisco | United States | 7,800,000 |
8 | Toronto | Canada | 7,650,000 |
9 | Philadelphia | United States | 7,550,000 |
10 | Dallas | United States | 7,350,000 |