Least Densely Populated Cities
This ranking highlights cities where the fewest people live within each square kilometer of official administrative area. Low density often reflects annexed rural land, desert geography, or sparse settlement patterns — the opposite of compact megacity cores.
Key Insights
Before exploring the rankings, here are some important points about low urban population density:
- Sprawl vs Emptiness: A low-density city may still have millions of residents spread across an enormous official boundary
- Annexation Effects: Cities that merge with surrounding counties or rural districts often dominate low-density lists
- Geography Matters: Desert, forest, and pastoral land within city limits drives density down even when urban cores are busy
- Not the Same as Smallest: Low density is a ratio — a city can be geographically huge or modest in area yet still rank among the least dense
Fascinating Insights from the Data
- Chinese Administrative Giants: Hulunbuir and other Chinese prefecture-level cities cover territory larger than many countries
- Brazilian Amazon Cities: Altamira and similar municipalities include vast rainforest within official boundaries
- American Frontier Cities: Anchorage and Jacksonville combine urban cores with extensive annexed land
- Contrast with Dense Cores: Paris or Manila pack tens of thousands per km² — these cities spread the same metric across thousands
- Area Rankings Overlap: Many low-density cities also appear on largest-by-area lists, but boundary definitions may differ across hubs
Top 20 Least Densely Populated Cities
| Rank | City | Country | Density (people/km²) | Population | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Isa | Australia | 0.4 | 18,000 | 43,188 |
| 2 | Altamira | Brazil | 0.7 | 109,000 | 159,533 |
| 3 | Hulunbuir | China | 8.5 | 2,240,000 | 263,953 |
| 4 | Calama | Chile | 11 | 165,000 | 15,596 |
| 5 | Anchorage | United States | 58 | 291,000 | 5,035 |
| 6 | Harbin | China | 200 | 10,635,000 | 53,068 |
| 7 | Perth | Australia | 327 | 2,100,000 | 6,418 |
| 8 | Chongqing | China | 388 | 32,000,000 | 82,400 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | United States | 419 | 949,000 | 2,265 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City | United States | 424 | 681,000 | 1,606 |
| 11 | Brasília | Brazil | 520 | 3,015,000 | 5,802 |
| 12 | Fort Worth | United States | 1,002 | 918,000 | 916 |
| 13 | Phoenix | United States | 1,202 | 1,608,000 | 1,338 |
| 14 | San Antonio | United States | 1,238 | 1,495,000 | 1,208 |
| 15 | Dallas | United States | 1,308 | 1,304,000 | 997 |
| 16 | Houston | United States | 1,396 | 2,304,000 | 1,651 |
| 17 | Edmonton | Canada | 1,477 | 1,010,000 | 684 |
| 18 | Calgary | Canada | 1,576 | 1,300,000 | 825 |
| 19 | Kinshasa | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1,713 | 17,070,000 | 9,965 |
| 20 | Denver | United States | 1,783 | 715,000 | 401 |
Understanding Low-Density Rankings
Low-density rankings depend heavily on how "city" is defined. Our figures use official administrative boundaries, but area and population inputs may differ from other ranking hubs on this site:
- The Formula: Density = total population ÷ administrative area (people per km²) — lower values mean more spread-out settlement
- Administrative vs Metropolitan: We use official city limits, not broader metropolitan or urban agglomeration boundaries
- Approximate Figures: Population and area estimates vary by source and year; rankings are illustrative and may shift with boundary changes
- Compare Visually: Density numbers alone do not show shape or layout — use our map tool to see how boundaries compare
Compare These Cities on the Map
See how sprawling low-density cities actually look side by side. Our interactive map overlays official city boundaries so you can compare geographic size and urban footprint directly.
Explore Related City Rankings
Put low density in context with our other city data rankings and guides:
- Most Densely Populated Cities: See the opposite end of the density spectrum
- Largest Cities by Area: Geographic size often correlates with low density, but rankings are not identical
- Low-Density Giants: Editorial deep dive on sprawling cities with surprising land area
- Curated City Comparisons: Ready-made side-by-side comparisons with area and population stats
Methodology & Data Sources
Density figures on this page are derived by dividing estimated population by official administrative area. Both inputs depend on boundary definitions that differ across countries, so treat rankings as approximate and comparative rather than precise official statistics.
- 📊 Data Sources: Population estimates draw on national census data, United Nations urban statistics, and verified demographic databases. Area figures use official administrative boundaries from government geographic agencies and OpenStreetMap. Boundary choices and source years may differ from our largest-cities and most-dense-cities rankings, so area values are not guaranteed to match across hubs.
- 🔄 Calculation Methodology: Density = population ÷ administrative area (people/km²). We prioritize city-proper or official municipal boundaries over metropolitan regions. Area calculations account for Earth's curvature using the same methods as our geographic size comparisons.
- ⚠️ Limitations & Considerations: Figures are illustrative and approximate — sources and boundary years differ. Rural annexation can make a city appear nearly empty overall while its downtown remains vibrant. Rankings exclude some micro-municipalities. Water bodies and uninhabited land within boundaries affect both area and density.