When Is a Town Big Enough To Be Considered a City?

What’s the difference between a town and a city? The answer depends on where you are. In some countries, for instance, the status of a settlement is determined by its population. Even so, there’s no standard measure to define an urban area. According to the World Bank, “That size can be 200 (as in Denmark), 2,000 (Argentina), 5,000 (India), 50,000 (Japan), or even 100,000 (China).” Others don’t base the definition around population at all. In the U.K., for example, a city would historically have had to contain a cathedral; now it requires official recognition in the form of a letters patent issued by the monarch. But what about urban areas closer to home? Take a look at when a town is big enough to be considered a city in the U.S. and three interesting examples across the country.

Types of Incorporated Places in the U.S.

In the U.S., the Bureau of the Census makes the distinction between legally incorporated settlements and census designated places (CDPs). On a basic level, incorporated places have a legally defined boundary and are entitled to receive specific services from the state. In contrast, CDPs have no functioning governmental structure. Often, the latter places receive services from county governments on an unofficial basis, though in some states they may have limited representation.

Incorporated places can take a variety of forms, including cities, towns, villages, and boroughs. Interestingly, New Jersey is the only state to have all four. In 11 states (among them Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Rhode Island), incorporated places can only be cities. 

Even when comparing each type of incorporated place, the minutiae involved in such categorization differ from state to state. For example, while states such as Colorado and Mississippi set a population of 2,000 for a place to be considered a city, this figure can be 10,000 or more in places like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and as low as 125 in Idaho. 

In South Carolina, the definition of a city is generally calculated by population density, but it varies according to whether you live near the ocean or not. Meanwhile, in Ohio, not only is the population requirement for new cities relatively high (25,000), but any candidate would also need to meet specific criteria in terms of area, population density, and assessed property values. 

Some states set no population requirement at all. California, for example, doesn’t differentiate between cities and towns, while Hawaii doesn’t have incorporated settlements — everywhere is simply classified as a Census Designated Place.

A New York Village That Wants To Become a City

The way urban areas are incorporated sometimes results in some curious anomalies. Take, for instance, the case of the village of Hempstead, New York, which forms part of the town of Hempstead on Long Island. 

It was originally settled by the Dutch in 1664. More recently, nearby Roosevelt Field was where Charles Lindbergh took off for his historic first solo, nonstop transatlantic flight to Paris in 1927. 

Interestingly, the population of Hempstead village was 59,169 at the last census, making it larger than many other cities in New York, including Niagara Falls (population 48,671) and Poughkeepsie (31,577). According to the Rockefeller Institute of Government, the village is revisiting earlier discussions about converting to cityhood. Benefits would include civic prestige and access to greater state funding. As of early 2025, Hempstead has appointed a City Charter Commission Advisory Board to steer the process.  

The Massachusetts Town That Decided It Was Time for a Change

Framingham was formerly Massachusetts’ largest town. But in 2017, this settlement, with a population of about 70,000 people, voted by a narrow margin to become a city. Those in favor of the change argued that, by replacing the town’s manager with a mayor and city council, there would be more accountability, and financial decision-making would become more effective. Opponents to change feared that centralizing power would make it harder for local voices to be heard. 

Though it officially transitioned to a city in 2018, Framingham is still a place where it’s easy to immerse yourself in the outdoors. Visit the Garden in the Woods, a botanical garden with more than a thousand species of wildflowers, or hike the scenic trails of the 820-acre Callahan State Park. 

A New Mexico Municipality That Chooses To Be a Town 

Though neighboring Taos Pueblo is significantly older, the town of Taos can trace its history back to 1540 and the arrival of Capitan Hernando Alvarado, part of the expedition led by Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. By 1615, it had become a formal settlement, part of the Spanish colony. 

In 1848, Mexico formally ceded the territory to the U.S. under the Treaty of Hidalgo, though New Mexico didn’t achieve statehood until 1912. In 1934, Taos was incorporated as a town. 

According to the Bureau of the Census, New Mexico doesn’t differentiate between cities, towns, and villages. There’s a minimum population requirement in place of 150, coupled with the need for a population density of at least one person per acre. As of the last census, Taos is home to 6,567 people, and it considers itself a town. Taos is a magnet for visitors thanks to its adobe buildings, nearby ski area, and proximity to Taos Pueblo.