Where can I find city area data for the US?

Cracking the Code: Finding the Real Size of U.S. Cities

Ever wondered exactly how big your city really is? Turns out, getting a straight answer isn’t always as simple as Googling it. You’d think it would be, right? But digging up reliable data on city sizes in the U.S. can be surprisingly tricky. There are different ways to measure, different sources to consider, and a whole lot of potential for getting confused. So, if you’re a researcher, a city planner, or just plain curious (like me!), let’s break down where to find the goods and what to watch out for.

First stop: Uncle Sam. The U.S. Census Bureau is the go-to source. Seriously, if you’re starting anywhere, start here. They’re the ones who collect and publish data on all sorts of geographic areas, including cities, towns, and those quirky “census-designated places” (CDPs). And here’s a key thing: they track both land area and total area, which includes water. Why does that matter? Well, imagine comparing the size of Phoenix to Miami. Miami’s going to look way bigger if you count all that ocean! So, pay attention to whether you’re looking at land area only, or the total area. You’ll usually find this info in the Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line Shapefiles and Summary File datasets. Fair warning: these can be a bit technical to navigate. It’s like learning a new language sometimes!

Now, the Census Bureau isn’t the only game in town. Other government agencies, like the EPA, sometimes compile area data when they’re doing environmental studies. They often lean on the Census Bureau’s numbers, but they might present them in a way that’s easier to understand, or combine them with other interesting facts.

Don’t forget about the local level! Your state and city governments can be goldmines. Many states have their own Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with maps and data on city boundaries. And city planning departments? They often have super-detailed info. The catch? It can be all over the place in terms of how easy it is to find and use. Plus, local folks might use slightly different methods for measuring area. So, if you’re comparing cities, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.

Then there are the commercial data providers. These companies collect data from different public sources, clean it up, and sell it in handy packages. It can save you a ton of time, but do your homework! Check where they’re getting their data and how they’re calculating things to make sure it’s legit.

A few things to keep in mind, no matter where you get your data: City boundaries can shift. Cities annex land, boundaries get redrawn… it happens. Always check the date of the data and be aware of any changes that could throw off your comparisons. Also, what exactly are you measuring? Are you looking at the official incorporated area, or are you including surrounding areas that are part of the city in practice? And finally, watch those units! Square miles? Square kilometers? Make sure you’re comparing the same thing.

Finding city area data isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little detective work. With the right sources and a healthy dose of skepticism, you’ll be able to crack the code and get the real story on city sizes in the U.S. Happy data hunting!