Most Dense in Rio de Janeiro

Top 100 cities ranked by most dense

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Brazil · Rio de Janeiro

Most Dense — Rio de Janeiro

1 Leblon 45,433/mi²

2 São João de Meriti 33,881/mi²

3 Belford Roxo 15,373/mi²

4 Nilópolis 11,382/mi²

5 Rio de Janeiro 10,037/mi²

6 Niterói 5,965/mi²

7 Duque de Caxias 3,824/mi²

8 Queimados 3,773/mi²

9 Nova Iguaçu 2,734/mi²

10 Volta Redonda 2,710/mi²

11 Japeri 2,298/mi²

12 Magé 1,618/mi²

13 Iguaba Grande 1,369/mi²

14 Rio das Ostras 1,282/mi²

15 Itaboraí 1,152/mi²

16 Maricá 1,026/mi²

17 Saquarema 800/mi²

18 Seropédica 768/mi²

19 Porto Real 764/mi²

20 Cabo Frio 720/mi²

21 São Pedro da Aldeia 658/mi²

22 Armação dos Búzios 647/mi²

23 Petrópolis 640/mi²

24 Três Rios 531/mi²

25 Teresópolis 528/mi²

26 Pinheiral 521/mi²

27 Barra Mansa 444/mi²

28 Itaguaí 426/mi²

29 Nova Friburgo 419/mi²

30 Tanguá 410/mi²

31 Araruama 392/mi²

32 Barra do Piraí 391/mi²

33 Paracambi 385/mi²

34 Cordeiro 381/mi²

35 Mendes 381/mi²

36 Guapimirim 338/mi²

37 Angra dos Reis 292/mi²

38 Rio Bonito 286/mi²

39 Macaé 274/mi²

40 Aperibé 257/mi²

41 Itatiaia 251/mi²

42 Arraial do Cabo 242/mi²

43 Universidade Rural 239/mi²

44 Paty do Alferes 238/mi²

45 Miracema 234/mi²

46 Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin 225/mi²

47 São João da Barra 214/mi²

48 Campos dos Goytacazes 213/mi²

49 Casimiro de Abreu 210/mi²

50 Areal 193/mi²

51 Bom Jardim 182/mi²

52 Resende 170/mi²

53 Cachoeiras de Macacu 169/mi²

54 Macuco 165/mi²

55 Itaperuna 163/mi²

56 Paraíba do Sul 151/mi²

57 Mangaratiba 146/mi²

58 São José do Vale do Rio Preto 145/mi²

59 Comendador Levy Gasparian 144/mi²

60 Santo Antônio de Pádua 140/mi²

61 Valença 121/mi²

62 Miguel Pereira 118/mi²

63 Carapebus 112/mi²

64 Carmo 106/mi²

65 Conceição de Macabu 106/mi²

66 Varre-Sai 106/mi²

67 Piraí 104/mi²

68 Itaocara 103/mi²

69 Quatis 101/mi²

70 São Francisco de Itabapoana 98/mi²

71 Vassouras 88/mi²

72 Sumidouro 86/mi²

73 Natividade 83/mi²

74 São Fidélis 80/mi²

75 Italva 78/mi²

76 Bom Jesus do Itabapoana 74/mi²

77 Laje do Muriaé 67/mi²

78 Sapucaia 62/mi²

79 Porciúncula 61/mi²

80 São Pedro 61/mi²

81 Cantagalo 60/mi²

82 Barra da Tijuca 59/mi²

83 Cardoso Moreira 56/mi²

84 Duas Barras 56/mi²

85 Ipanema 56/mi²

86 Quissamã 55/mi²

87 Silva Jardim 55/mi²

88 Santa Teresa 53/mi²

89 São José de Ubá 52/mi²

90 Rio das Flores 50/mi²

91 Rio Claro 48/mi²

92 Cambuci 41/mi²

93 Rocinha 37/mi²

94 Trajano de Morais 36/mi²

95 Estácio 35/mi²

96 Catete 33/mi²

97 Paraty 30/mi²

98 São Sebastião do Alto 30/mi²

99 Santa Maria Madalena 28/mi²

100 Vidigal 22/mi²

The most densely populated cities in Rio de Janeiro pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. Leblon leads with 45,433 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

1. Leblon has 45,433 people per square mile — that's roughly 71 people per acre.
2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

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