The U.S. reported over 64,000 new cases of coronavirus on Feb. 17, bringing the total count to more than 27,400,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been more than 470,000 COVID-19-related deaths — the highest death toll of any country.
New cases continue to rise, albeit at a slowing rate. In the past week, there were an average of 27.8 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 Americans — a decrease from the week prior, when there were an average of 39 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people.
While new data shows that the risk of contracting COVID-19 is high in almost every part of the country, cities continue to be the sites of major outbreaks and superspreader events. Experts agree that the virus is more likely to spread in group settings where large numbers of people routinely have close contact with one another, such as colleges, nursing homes, bars, and restaurants. Metropolitan areas with a high degree of connectivity between different neighborhoods and a large population may be particularly at-risk.
The metro areas with the highest incidence of COVID-19 cases are distributed relatively unevenly across the United States. Of the 50 metro areas with the highest case counts per capita, 26 are in the South, 16 are in the Midwest, eight are in the West, and zero are in the Northeast.
The five metro areas with the highest number of coronavirus cases per capita are: Yuma, AZ; Pine Bluff, AR; Lubbock, TX; Laredo, TX; and Bismarck, ND. The incidence of COVID-19 in these metro areas range from 17,398.9 cases per 100,000 to 15,511.7 cases per 100,000. For comparison, there are currently 8,511.6 cases per 100,000 Americans nationwide.
The 50 cities with the highest incidence of COVID-19 have over 12,100 more coronavirus cases per capita than the U.S. as a whole, but cases are growing at a slowing rate. There were an average of 35.5 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week ending Feb. 17, a decrease from the week prior, when there were an average of 46.3 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. In five of the 50 cities with the highest COVID-19 incidence, new cases are rising at an increasing rate.
To determine the cities with the most COVID-19 cases, 24/7 Wall St. compiled and reviewed data from state and local health departments. We ranked metro areas based on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents as of Feb. 17. To estimate the incidence of COVID-19 at the metropolitan level, we aggregated data from the county level using boundary definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau. Population data used to adjust case and death totals came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey and are five-year estimates. Unemployment data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is seasonally adjusted.
50. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 18,634
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 10,952.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 362
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 212.8
> Population: 170,132
These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
49. Kankakee, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 12,231
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,012.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 189
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 170.2
> Population: 111,061
48. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 101,659
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,015.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 986
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 106.8
> Population: 922,891
47. Monroe, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 22,536
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,017.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 545
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 266.4
> Population: 204,542
46. Abilene, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 18,745
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,025.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 435
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 255.9
> Population: 170,009
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
45. Sheboygan, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 12,720
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,041.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 125
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 108.5
> Population: 115,205
44. Hot Springs, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 10,867
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,055.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 269
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 273.7
> Population: 98,296
43. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 81,385
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,080.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 1,160
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 157.9
> Population: 734,502
42. Anniston-Oxford, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 12,784
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,107.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 264
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 229.4
> Population: 115,098
41. Rapid City, SD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 15,188
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,109.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 215
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 157.3
> Population: 136,718
40. Evansville, IN-KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 35,104
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,145.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 595
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 188.9
> Population: 314,967
39. Morristown, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 15,711
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,222.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 314
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 224.3
> Population: 140,000
38. Jackson, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 20,061
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,238.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 452
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 253.2
> Population: 178,506
37. Spartanburg, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 34,085
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,279.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 659
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 218.1
> Population: 302,195
36. Tuscaloosa, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 28,646
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,466.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 538
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 215.4
> Population: 249,824
35. Flagstaff, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 16,088
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,473.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 302
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 215.4
> Population: 140,217
34. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 699,851
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,527.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 9,874
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 162.6
> Population: 6,070,944
33. Green Bay, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 36,632
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,530.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 277
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 87.2
> Population: 317,702
32. Florence, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 23,787
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,557.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 528
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 256.5
> Population: 205,814
31. Fond du Lac, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 11,838
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,570.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 89
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 87
> Population: 102,315
30. Greenville-Anderson, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 102,511
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,598.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 1,653
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 187
> Population: 883,853
29. St. Cloud, MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 22,952
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,674.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 289
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 147
> Population: 196,598
28. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 545,650
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,675.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 9,273
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 198.4
> Population: 4,673,634
27. Cleveland, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 14,204
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,706.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 153
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 126.1
> Population: 121,339
26. Fargo, ND-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 27,948
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,792.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 276
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 116.5
> Population: 237,003
25. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 219,485
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,932.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 2,459
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 133.7
> Population: 1,839,460
24. Enid, OK
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 7,421
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,932.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 69
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 111
> Population: 62,190
23. Salt Lake City, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 142,315
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 11,999.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 749
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 63.2
> Population: 1,185,990
These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
22. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 553,901
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,258.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 5,976
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 132.3
> Population: 4,518,699
21. Elkhart-Goshen, IN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 25,121
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,338.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 406
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 199.4
> Population: 203,604
20. Fort Smith, AR-OK
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 31,195
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,524.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 474
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 190.3
> Population: 249,072
19. Dubuque, IA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 12,155
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,556.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 190
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 196.3
> Population: 96,802
These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
18. Gadsden, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 12,995
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,624.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 300
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 291.4
> Population: 102,939
17. Amarillo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 33,544
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,734.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 632
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 239.9
> Population: 263,412
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
16. Gainesville, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 24,993
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,754.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 379
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 193.4
> Population: 195,961
15. Grand Forks, ND-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 13,123
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,866.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 135
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 132.4
> Population: 101,991
14. Jonesboro, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 17,693
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 13,635.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 284
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 218.9
> Population: 129,755
13. Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 19,712
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 13,723.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 312
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 217.2
> Population: 143,638
These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
12. Dalton, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 19,994
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 13,942.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 272
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 189.7
> Population: 143,406
11. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 70,332
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 13,966.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 929
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 184.5
> Population: 503,585
10. El Paso, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 120,205
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 14,350.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 2,262
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 270
> Population: 837,654
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
9. Hanford-Corcoran, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 21,583
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 14,381.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 209
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 139.3
> Population: 150,075
8. Sioux Falls, SD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 36,969
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 14,472.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 476
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 186.3
> Population: 255,438
7. El Centro, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 26,711
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 14,821.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 584
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 324.1
> Population: 180,216
6. Provo-Orem, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 88,217
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 14,940.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 308
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 52.2
> Population: 590,440
These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
5. Bismarck, ND
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 19,563
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 15,511.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 281
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 222.8
> Population: 126,118
4. Laredo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 42,419
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 15,592.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 653
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 240
> Population: 272,053
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
3. Lubbock, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 48,955
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 15,634.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 796
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 254.2
> Population: 313,123
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
2. Pine Bluff, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 15,185
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 16,443.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 277
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 300
> Population: 92,345
1. Yuma, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17: 36,160
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,398.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17: 762
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 17 per 100,000 residents: 366.6
> Population: 207,829
Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.