#3 in world Americas UN member

United States

Washington, D.C. Americas North America

The United States is a prominent constitutional federal republic in North America with a vast territory spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Current estimates show the population has reached approximately 347 million people, supported by a highly developed economy with a GDP per capita of approximately 89,322 USD.

Where is United States?

United States

Continent
Americas
Country
United States
Coordinates
38.00°, -97.00°

Population Details

Population
347M
Area
9,525,067 km²
Density per km²
36 / km²
Growth rate
+0.98%
Annual growth
+3.4M people
Daily growth
+9.3K people
World population share
4.27%

Population Trend

Historical series from 1960 to 2026

Start 181M Latest 347M

Population & Social Snapshot

Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for United States

Age Distribution

0-14 years 60M
15-64 years 225M
65+ years 62M

Urbanization

80.1% Urban
278M
Urban 278M
Rural 69M

Health & Education Benchmarks

Life Expectancy at Birth +7%
78.9 years
World avg: 74.0 years
Fertility Rate -31%
1.63 births per woman
World avg: 2.35 births per woman
Infant Mortality Rate -70%
5.5 per 1,000 live births
World avg: 18.6 per 1,000 live births
Internet Users +31%
94.7 % of population
World avg: 72.5 % of population

Demographics

Quick Facts

Capital
Washington, D.C.
Region
Americas
Area
9,525,067 km²
Languages
English
Currency
United States dollar ($)
Timezones
UTC-12:00, UTC-11:00, UTC-10:00, UTC-09:00, UTC-08:00, UTC-07:00, UTC-06:00, UTC-05:00, UTC-04:00, UTC+10:00, UTC+12:00
UN Member
Yes

Neighboring Countries

Economy

The United States maintains the largest economy in the world, holding the global rank of 1 of 212 for total GDP. With a GDP per capita of 84,534 USD, the nation ranks global 12 of 212 and regional (Americas) 3 of 45, driven by innovation in technology, finance, and professional services. Recent data indicates annual GDP growth of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.2%, which corresponds to a global rank of 117 of 186 when ordered by lowest unemployment. This economic strength is bolstered by abundant natural resources and a dynamic private sector.

Society

Life expectancy in the United States is 78.89 years, placing it at a global rank of 60 of 215. The nation exhibits high digital integration with 94.7% of the population identified as internet users, a figure that carries a global rank of 31 of 212. Demographically, approximately 80.1% of residents live in urban areas, reflecting a highly centralized and diverse society. Education remains a cornerstone of development, as the country is home to several of the top research institutions globally.

Climate & Environment

The United States covers 9,525,067 km² (3,677,649 sq mi) and features a wide range of climates due to its immense geographic diversity. While temperate conditions prevail in the central and eastern regions, the landscape also includes arctic zones in Alaska and tropical climates in Florida and Hawaii.

Government & Politics

Government Type
constitutional federal republic
Independence
1776-07-04 (Great Britain)

The political system of the United States is a constitutional federal republic, characterized by a division of power between the national government and 50 individual states. Governance is structured into three co-equal branches: the executive, headed by the President; the legislative, consisting of a bicameral Congress; and the judicial, headed by the Supreme Court. This framework, established by the Constitution, utilizes a system of checks and balances to prevent any single branch from gaining absolute authority. The President serves as both the head of state and the head of government. Federalism allows states to retain significant autonomy over matters not explicitly reserved for the federal level, such as education and local law enforcement. Individual rights and civil liberties are protected by the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments. The political landscape is historically dominated by a two-party system, which provides institutional stability while facilitating national debates on policy and governance.

History

The history of the United States began with the arrival of indigenous peoples thousands of years ago, followed by European exploration and colonization starting in the late 15th century. Thirteen British colonies along the Atlantic coast declared their independence from Great Britain on 4 July 1776, following grievances over taxation and a lack of representation. The subsequent Revolutionary War led to the formation of a new nation guided by the 1787 Constitution. During the 19th century, the country underwent rapid westward expansion, fueled by the concept of manifest destiny and the Industrial Revolution. This era was also marked by the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, which resulted in the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the union. Following the World Wars in the 20th century, the United States emerged as a global superpower, leading the Western bloc during the Cold War. Modern developments have been defined by the Civil Rights Movement, significant technological advancements in the digital age, and a leading role in global international organizations. Today, the nation remains a major cultural and economic influence, with a population that has grown to an estimated 2026 value of 346,785,249.

Notable Facts

  • The United States is home to the world's first national park, Yellowstone, and contains a diverse landscape that includes the highest point at Denali, which reaches 6,190 m (20,310 ft) above sea level.
  • With a total area of 9,525,067 km² (3,677,649 sq mi), the country is the third-largest in the world by land mass and spans multiple time zones ranging from UTC-12:00 to UTC-05:00.
  • The lowest point in the nation is located in Death Valley at -86 m (-282 ft) below sea level, highlighting the extreme geographic variety found within its borders.
  • Approximately 80.12 percent of the population resides in urban areas, supported by a highly developed infrastructure where 94.69 percent of residents are regular internet users.

Geography

Highest Point
Denali (6,190 m)
Lowest Point
Death Valley (-86 m)
Coastline
19,924 km

Explore weather and climate data for cities in United States

Monthly averages for Washington, D.C.

January
Poor
Temp
7°C / -1°C
Feels Like
4°C / -5°C
Rain
10days (85 mm) Wet
Sun
6.6h Fair
Humidity
65% Muggy
Snow Days
4days
February
Poor
Temp
10°C / 1°C
Feels Like
6°C / -3°C
Rain
10days (86 mm) Wet
Sun
7.2h Good
Humidity
62% Muggy
Snow Days
4days
March
Fair
Temp
16°C / 5°C
Feels Like
13°C / 1°C
Rain
10days (88 mm) Wet
Sun
8.5h Good
Humidity
58% Moderate
Snow Days
1days
April best
Good
Temp
20°C / 9°C
Feels Like
18°C / 6°C
Rain
10days (92 mm) Wet
Sun
9.6h Good
Humidity
60% Moderate
May best
Excellent
Temp
24°C / 14°C
Feels Like
24°C / 13°C
Rain
12days (100 mm) Wet
Sun
10.2h Excellent
Humidity
66% Muggy
June best
Excellent
Temp
30°C / 19°C
Feels Like
32°C / 20°C
Rain
10days (107 mm) Wet
Sun
11.6h Excellent
Humidity
65% Muggy
July
Fair
Temp
32°C / 23°C
Feels Like
36°C / 26°C
Rain
13days (136 mm) Wet
Sun
12.3h Excellent
Humidity
70% Muggy
August
Fair
Temp
30°C / 21°C
Feels Like
33°C / 23°C
Rain
11days (115 mm) Wet
Sun
10.8h Excellent
Humidity
72% Muggy
September best
Excellent
Temp
27°C / 17°C
Feels Like
28°C / 17°C
Rain
10days (92 mm) Wet
Sun
9h Good
Humidity
73% Muggy
October best
Good
Temp
21°C / 11°C
Feels Like
20°C / 9°C
Rain
7days (71 mm) Good
Sun
8.3h Good
Humidity
71% Muggy
November
Fair
Temp
15°C / 5°C
Feels Like
13°C / 1°C
Rain
8days (67 mm) Wet
Sun
8h Good
Humidity
64% Muggy
December
Poor
Temp
9°C / 1°C
Feels Like
6°C / -3°C
Rain
9days (111 mm) Wet
Sun
6.5h Fair
Humidity
67% Muggy
Snow Days
2days
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity Status Details
January 7°C / -1°C 4°C / -5°C 10days (85 mm) Wet 6.6h Fair 65% Muggy Poor View Details
February 10°C / 1°C 6°C / -3°C 10days (86 mm) Wet 7.2h Good 62% Muggy Poor View Details
March 16°C / 5°C 13°C / 1°C 10days (88 mm) Wet 8.5h Good 58% Moderate Fair View Details
April best 20°C / 9°C 18°C / 6°C 10days (92 mm) Wet 9.6h Good 60% Moderate Good View Details
May best 24°C / 14°C 24°C / 13°C 12days (100 mm) Wet 10.2h Excellent 66% Muggy Excellent View Details
June best 30°C / 19°C 32°C / 20°C 10days (107 mm) Wet 11.6h Excellent 65% Muggy Excellent View Details
July 32°C / 23°C 36°C / 26°C 13days (136 mm) Wet 12.3h Excellent 70% Muggy Fair View Details
August 30°C / 21°C 33°C / 23°C 11days (115 mm) Wet 10.8h Excellent 72% Muggy Fair View Details
September best 27°C / 17°C 28°C / 17°C 10days (92 mm) Wet 9h Good 73% Muggy Excellent View Details
October best 21°C / 11°C 20°C / 9°C 7days (71 mm) Good 8.3h Good 71% Muggy Good View Details
November 15°C / 5°C 13°C / 1°C 8days (67 mm) Wet 8h Good 64% Muggy Fair View Details
December 9°C / 1°C 6°C / -3°C 9days (111 mm) Wet 6.5h Fair 67% Muggy Poor View Details

Temperature

42°C 36°C 30°C 24°C 18°C 12°C 6°C 0°C -6°C -12°C JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
HighLow

Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 7°C / -1°C . Feb: 10°C / 1°C . Mar: 16°C / 5°C . Apr: 20°C / 9°C . May: 24°C / 14°C . Jun: 30°C / 19°C . Jul: 32°C / 23°C . Aug: 30°C / 21°C . Sep: 27°C / 17°C . Oct: 21°C / 11°C . Nov: 15°C / 5°C . Dec: 9°C / 1°C .

Rainfall

0 mm 25 mm 50 mm 75 mm 100 mm 125 mm JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall

Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 85 mm. Feb: 86 mm. Mar: 88 mm. Apr: 92 mm. May: 100 mm. Jun: 107 mm. Jul: 136 mm. Aug: 115 mm. Sep: 92 mm. Oct: 71 mm. Nov: 67 mm. Dec: 111 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

The population of United States is approximately 347M (2024).

The capital of United States is Washington, D.C..

United States's GDP per capita is $89.3K (2024).

Life expectancy in United States is 78.89 years (2024).

United States covers 9,525,067 km² (3,677,647 sq mi).

United States is sparsely populated, averaging 36 people per km², below the global average of 60.

United States's population is growing steadily at 1.0% per year, in line with global averages.

Yes — based on GDP per capita, United States falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $89.3K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

United States's intentional homicide rate is 5.8 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

The official language of United States is English.

United States uses the United States dollar ($) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit United States are April, May, June, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

Current estimates show the population of the United States is approximately 347 million people. This reflects a steady annual growth rate of 1.0% and maintains the country's position at a global rank of 3 of 215 nations. This growth is driven by a combination of natural increase and international migration.

The United States holds the global rank of 1 of 212 for total GDP, making it the largest economy in the world. Recent figures show a GDP per capita of 84,534 USD, which places the nation at a rank of global 12 of 212 and regional (Americas) 3 of 45.

Approximately 94.7% of the population in the United States are internet users, according to the latest data. This high level of connectivity gives the nation a global rank of 31 of 212. Digital access is widespread across urban and suburban communities, supporting one of the world's most robust digital economies.

The latest data indicates an unemployment rate of 4.2% in the United States. This figure places the country at a global rank of 117 of 186 nations when ranked from lowest to highest unemployment. The labor market remains highly dynamic, supported by diverse sectors such as healthcare, technology, and retail.

The United States is highly urbanized, with approximately 80.1% of its population living in urban areas. This concentration in cities and metropolitan hubs is a primary driver of the nation's economic productivity and cultural influence. Most residents are concentrated in major coastal corridors and large inland metropolitan centers.

The United States features diverse terrain, with the highest point at Denali standing 6,190 m (20,310 ft) tall. Conversely, the lowest point is located in Death Valley, which sits at -86 m (-282 ft) below sea level. This vast elevation range highlights the geographic complexity of the nation's 9,525,067 km² (3,677,649 sq mi) landmass.

The United States currently ranks 3rd of 215 countries in the world by population size. Regionally, it holds the 1st position out of 46 countries in the Americas and is the 1st most populous of the 5 nations located in the North American subregion.

Current estimates show a population density of 37.9 people per km² (98.2 per sq mi) for 2026. This places the U.S. at 165th globally. While major metropolitan areas are extremely crowded, the national average remains relatively low due to vast undeveloped lands in the Western states and Alaska.

Recent data indicates the U.S. population is growing at an annual rate of 0.98%. This growth is sustained by both natural increase and migration. While the rate has slowed historically, current daily vitals show a net increase of approximately 9,098 people per day as of the latest projections.

The fertility rate in the United States is 1.63 births per woman, based on recent data. This is below the replacement level of 2.1, meaning the population relies significantly on international migration to maintain long-term growth. The rate has seen a general downward trend over the last several decades.

Approximately 80.1% of the United States population lives in urban areas. This high level of urbanization reflects the country's historical shift from an agrarian society to a service- and technology-based economy centered in major metropolitan hubs like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

All Indicators

Explore United States's data across 50+ indicators

Last updated: