United States Population Density, 2013 (By County)

Question

1. How can you determine the areas with high or low population density?

2. In which areas of the United States is population density the highest?

3. What might explain why population density is high there?

4. Where is population density the lowest?

5. What might explain why population density is lower there?

Answer 1

1. The areas with high or low population density can be determined by analyzing the number of people living in a given area relative to its size. This can be done by calculating the population density, which is typically measured as the number of people per square mile or square kilometer.

2. In the United States, population density is generally highest in urban and metropolitan areas, particularly in the Northeast and on the West Coast. Cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago have some of the highest population densities.

3. Several factors can explain why population density is high in these areas. Urban centers often attract people due to economic opportunities, employment prospects, cultural amenities, and access to services. These areas tend to have well-developed infrastructure, transportation networks, and higher densities of housing options, which can accommodate larger populations.

4. The areas with the lowest population density in the United States are typically rural and remote regions, such as parts of Alaska, the Great Plains, and the Rocky Mountains. These areas have vast land areas but comparatively small populations.

5. The lower population density in these areas can be attributed to various factors. Geographic features like mountains, deserts, or extreme climates may make these regions less attractive or challenging for habitation. Limited economic opportunities, lack of infrastructure and services, and limited access to amenities often contribute to lower population densities in rural areas. Additionally, some people may prefer the lifestyle and seclusion that comes with living in less populated regions.