Largest States in the U.S (Top 10)

The United States of America is the third largest country in the world by area, with a total of 9,826,675 sq. km. Within the country, however, there are 50 States and a Federal District, the Federal Capital Territory- Washington D.C.

Among these states, there are some with square miles as small as 560, however, the largest State in the U.S is Alaska with a total of 665,384.04 square miles. This article contains the top 10 largest States in the U.S by square miles. Let’s get straight into it.

10. Wyoming

Square Miles- 97,813.01

Km sq- 1,723,337 

Capital- Cheyenne

Although Wyoming is the 10th largest out of the 50 States in the U.S, it is actually the least populous in the country. Wyoming is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. As of 2020, its population was 576,851, and it remains the State with the second lowest population density to date.

The State capital, Cheyenne has an estimated population of 65,000.

9. Oregon

Square Miles- 98,378.54

Km Square- 254,799

Capital- Salem

Oregon is a State located in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The State is home to top tourist attractions like the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Cannon Beach, and Washington Park, Portland, among others.

With about 4 million people living in Oregon, the State remains the ninth largest and 27th most populous State in the United States. Its capital, Salem, is the second most populous city in the State, while Portland is the most populous.

8. Colorado

Square Miles- 104,093.67

Km Square- 269,601

Capital- Denver

Colorado is a State known for its vivid landscape of mountains, forests, high plains, canyons, plateaus, rivers, and even desert lands. The State is also known as one of the wealthiest States in the United States of America. Located in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States, Colorado is the eighth largest and most populous State with a population of 5,773,714.

The most populous city in Colorado is Denver, the State’s capital. Thanks to Denver, among other cities in the State, Colorado is ranked highly among the nation’s standard of living index. Tourist attractions in Colorado include Vail Ski Resort, Rocky Moutain National Park, and Mesa Verde National Park, among many others.

7. Nevada

Square Miles- 110,571.82 

Km Square- 286,380

Capital- Carson City

When Nevada is mentioned, Las Vegas comes to mind as it is the most prominent and largest city in the State. Nevada is officially known as the “Silver State” as a result of the importance of Silver to the State’s history and economy.

The State is one of the few ones where the capital is not the most populous city, instead, it is the 10th. Nevada is home to Hoover Dam, Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and of course, Las Vegas, which is a top tourist attraction in the State.

6. Arizona

Square Miles- 113,990.30 

Km Square- 295,234

Capital- Phoenix

Among the largest States in the U.S, Arizona is one of the most prominent. This is because it is the last of the contiguous States to be admitted into the Union and it is equally one of the last States in the U.S (the 48th, to be precise). Being the 14th most populous State in the U.S, Arizona is home to over 7 million people.

The State is equally home to one of the world’s seven natural wonders- the Grand Canyon National Park. It also features several national monuments, national parks, and national forests. Arizona is one State in the U.S that enjoys tremendous population and economic growth due to the high level of migration.

5. New Mexico

Square Miles- 121,590.30

Km Square- 314,917

Capital- Santa Fe

New Mexico is equally one of the Mountain States in the U.S. Its State Capital, Santa Fe, is the oldest capital in the U.S, founded in 1610. Despite having just over 2.1 million residents, New Mexico is the 5th largest State in the U.S.

The largest city, however, is Albuquerque which sits in the high desert and is home to various museums and other amazing tourist attractions. New Mexico boasts of a diversified economy that includes cattle ranching, scientific and technological research, tourism, agriculture, and the arts, especially textiles and visual arts.

4. Montana

Square Miles- 147,039.71

Km Square- 380,831

Capital- Helena

Montana is the fourth largest State in the U.S by area and the eighth least populous State. Its State capital, Helena is the 6th most populous State in Montana with a total population of 33,120, a very low figure in comparison to over 1.062 million people living in Montana.

Montana’s economy is based primarily on Agriculture which includes ranching and cereal grain farming. It also has notable economic resources like oil, gas, coal, mining, and lumber. The State’s fastest growing economy, however, is Tourism as about 13 million tourists visit Beartooth Highway, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Flathead Lake, Big Sky Resort, and other attractions annually.

3. California

Square Miles- 163,694.74

Km Square- 423,967

Capital- Sacramento

California is a State in the Western United States that is home to Los Angeles and San Fransisco, among other prominent cities. With over 39.2 million people living in the State, California sits as the 3rd on the list of the largest States in the U.S.

Its largest city is Los Angeles with a total population of 3.93 million, a large amount considering the fact that California has over one thousand cities. It is also the second most populous city in the country. California is home to major tourist attractions like San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, Disneyland, Death Valley National Park, and Big Sur.

2. Texas

Square Miles- 268,596.46

Km Square- 695,662

Capital- Austin

Of the top 10 largest States in the U.S, Texas is one of the most prominent, as it is home to one of the largest cities in the country- Houston. With over 29 million people living in the State, Texas is the second largest State in the U.S by both area and population.

Its largest city is Houston, while San Antonio comes right behind as the second most populous city in Texas. Some tourist attractions in the State include the Alamo, San Antonio’s River Walk, Space Center Houston, and Big Bend National Park, among others.

1. Alaska

Square Miles- 665,384.04

Km Square- 1,723,337

Capital- Juneau

Alaska is known for many titles in the U.S. First, it is the largest State in the country, next, it is the coldest State, and also home to the second largest city in the U.S by area.

Alaska comprises more total area than the second to fourth largest States in the U.S combined. With a population of 736,081 as of 2020, the State is the third least populous and most sparsely populated State. Alaska is home to the following tourist attractions:

• Denali National Park
• Tracy Arm Fjord
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Anchorage
• University of Alaska Museum of the North

Top 10 Largest States in the U.S (Summary)

The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world, thanks to the large States within it. Here’s a list of the top 10 largest States in the U.S as highlighted in this article.

1. Alaska
2. Texas
3. California
4. Montana
5. New Mexico
6. Arizona
7. Nevada
8. Colorado
9. Oregon
10. Wyoming