New York is more than just the tall buildings in NYC. The state has a lot of different cities, each with its own culture, history, and economic importance. These cities show how diverse and deep New York is, from busy cities to towns with a lot of history. New York is one of the most dynamic states in the U.S. Here are the ten biggest cities in New York by population, along with what makes each one special.
The 10 Biggest Cities in New York
1. The City of New York
- About 8.5 million people live there.
- Famous for: Wall Street, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park
- Fun Fact: The U.S. city with the most people, with over 800 languages spoken.
2. Buffalo has about 275,000 people.
- Famous for: Buffalo wings, historic buildings, and access to Niagara Falls
- Fun fact: It used to be one of the biggest cities in the country and a major industrial center.
3. Rochester has a population of about 210,000.
- Famous for: being the home of Eastman Kodak and having strong tech and education sectors
- Fun Fact: The University of Rochester and RIT are two of the best schools in the country.
4. Yonkers has a population of about 210,000.
- Riverfront parks and the Cross County Shopping Center are two things that people know about.
- Fun Fact: Because it’s close to NYC, it’s sometimes called the “sixth borough.”
5. Syracuse has about 145,000 people.
- Syracuse University and a lot of snow are what it’s known for.
- Interesting Fact: Every year, it hosts the Great New York State Fair.
6. Albany has a population of about 100,000.
- Empire State Plaza is the state capital and is known for this.
- Interesting Fact: It was one of the first cities in the U.S. and was settled by the Dutch in the 1600s.
7. New Rochelle has about 80,000 people.
- Known for: Neighborhoods that are good for families and easy access to NYC from the suburbs
- Fun Fact: It often comes in the top ten of places to live in New York.
8. Mount Vernon has about 73,000 people.
- Famous for its lively downtown and diverse culture
- Interesting Fact: It shares a border with the Bronx and combines city and suburban life.
9. Schenectady has about 67,000 people.
- Famous for: Proctors Theatre, where General Electric was founded
- Fun fact: It was very important during America’s industrial boom.
10. Utica has a population of about 60,000.
- Known for: food from many cultures and being close to the Adirondacks
- Fun Fact: This city is known for its global food culture and is home to many refugees.