Most Dense in California

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 Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · United States · California

Most Dense — California

1 Mountain View 284,010/mi²

2 Isla Vista 24,940/mi²

3 Maywood 21,020/mi²

4 Walnut Park 20,595/mi²

5 Cudahy 18,919/mi²

6 Lennox 18,614/mi²

7 West Hollywood 18,566/mi²

8 Westmont 18,536/mi²

9 San Francisco 17,912/mi²

10 Huntington Park 17,827/mi²

11 Florence-Graham 17,585/mi²

12 East Rancho Dominguez 17,340/mi²

13 Lawndale 15,793/mi²

14 Bell Gardens 15,716/mi²

15 East Los Angeles 15,385/mi²

16 Greenfield 14,856/mi²

17 Hawaiian Gardens 14,543/mi²

18 Hawthorne 14,111/mi²

19 Lynwood 13,490/mi²

20 Hermosa Beach 13,460/mi²

21 Daly City 13,407/mi²

22 Alum Rock 13,355/mi²

23 Midway City 13,269/mi²

24 East Bakersfield 13,135/mi²

25 Bell 13,080/mi²

26 Willowbrook 12,882/mi²

27 South Monrovia Island 12,858/mi²

28 South Gate 12,685/mi²

29 Bellflower 12,646/mi²

30 Stanton 12,464/mi²

31 Ashland 12,383/mi²

32 Citrus 12,288/mi²

33 Cherryland 12,248/mi²

34 San Pablo 12,126/mi²

35 West Puente Valley 11,871/mi²

36 Inglewood 11,640/mi²

37 South San Jose Hills 11,634/mi²

38 Berkeley 11,527/mi²

39 East Palo Alto 11,519/mi²

40 Santa Ana 11,382/mi²

41 Redondo Beach 11,260/mi²

42 El Monte 11,199/mi²

43 Contra Costa Centre 11,136/mi²

44 Paramount 11,109/mi²

45 North Fair Oaks 11,106/mi²

46 Albany 11,044/mi²

47 Del Aire 11,005/mi²

48 Santa Monica 10,884/mi²

49 East San Gabriel 10,789/mi²

50 Valinda 10,759/mi²

51 La Puente 10,748/mi²

52 Lomita 10,685/mi²

53 Alhambra 10,679/mi²

54 Baldwin Park 10,667/mi²

55 Norwalk 10,372/mi²

56 South Whittier 10,337/mi²

57 Vincent 10,307/mi²

58 Marina del Rey 10,284/mi²

59 Gardena 10,251/mi²

60 Charter Oak 10,123/mi²

61 West Whittier-Los Nietos 10,103/mi²

62 Emeryville 10,044/mi²

63 San Fernando 10,007/mi²

64 Mayfair 9,948/mi²

65 Artesia 9,904/mi²

66 Rosemead 9,756/mi²

67 South San Gabriel 9,740/mi²

68 San Lorenzo 9,657/mi²

69 West Carson 9,652/mi²

70 Fruitridge Pocket 9,619/mi²

71 Garden Grove 9,504/mi²

72 San Gabriel 9,363/mi²

73 Compton 9,325/mi²

74 East Whittier 9,230/mi²

75 Lemon Hill 9,111/mi²

76 Long Beach 9,049/mi²

77 Downey 9,008/mi²

78 Westminster 8,979/mi²

79 University of California-Santa Barbara 8,949/mi²

80 Temple City 8,915/mi²

81 Foothill Farms 8,889/mi²

82 Manhattan Beach 8,800/mi²

83 Foster City 8,698/mi²

84 La Palma 8,638/mi²

85 Lakewood 8,574/mi²

86 Bostonia 8,573/mi²

87 San Mateo 8,537/mi²

88 La Habra 8,232/mi²

89 Los Angeles 8,199/mi²

90 La Cresta 8,150/mi²

91 Fairfax 7,919/mi²

92 Buena Park 7,887/mi²

93 Oakland 7,828/mi²

94 Culver City 7,826/mi²

95 Placentia 7,784/mi²

96 Monterey Park 7,776/mi²

97 San Bruno 7,762/mi²

98 Pleasure Point 7,751/mi²

99 South Pasadena 7,712/mi²

100 Mayflower Village 7,686/mi²

The most densely populated cities in California pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. Mountain View leads with 284,010 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. Mountain View has 284,010 people per square mile — that's roughly 444 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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