What Is the Largest City by Area in the US?
When considering the largest city in the United States by area, the answer might surprise many who associate size with population. That said, s. While cities like New York City and Los Angeles dominate in population, Sitka, Alaska, holds the title of the largest city by land area. Here's the thing — cities in physical size. Which means with a total area spanning approximately 4,760 square miles (12,329 km²), Sitka dwarfs other U. This article explores why Sitka is so vast, how it compares to other large cities, and the unique factors contributing to its extraordinary dimensions And that's really what it comes down to. But it adds up..
What Is the Largest City by Area in the US?
The largest city by area in the United States is Sitka, Alaska. In real terms, according to the U. S. Which means census Bureau, Sitka’s vast territory includes both land and water, totaling over 4,700 square miles. In real terms, by comparison, the next largest cities—Juneau (Alaska’s capital) and Anchorage (Alaska’s largest city by population)—have significantly smaller areas. Sitka’s immense size is a result of its incorporation as a city and borough, encompassing thousands of square miles of wilderness, islands, and coastal areas.
Comparison with Other Large Cities
To understand Sitka’s uniqueness, it helps to compare it to other large U.S. cities:
| City | Total Area (sq mi) | Land Area (sq mi) | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sitka, AK | 4,760 | 2,870 | ~8,900 |
| Juneau, AK | 2,046 | 1,467 | ~33,000 |
| Anchorage, AK | 1,947 | 1,760 | ~390,000 |
| New York, NY | 302 | 301 | ~8.8 million |
Notice that Sitka’s area is over 15 times larger than New York City’s total area and nearly double Juneau’s. Despite its size, Sitka’s population remains relatively small, highlighting the distinction between land area and population density.
Why Is Sitka So Large?
Alaska’s Vast Geography
Alaska is the largest state in the U.Many Alaskan cities, including Sitka, have incorporated vast territories to manage resources, indigenous lands, and remote communities. And , covering about 665,384 square miles. S.Sitka’s large area reflects its role as a regional hub for governance and resource management in Southeast Alaska.
Historical Incorporation
Sitka was incorporated as a city in 1962, merging the former town of Sitka with the surrounding Baranof Island and parts of Kings Bay. This consolidation allowed the city
