Special Report

These Are the Cities With the Most COVID-19 Cases

Evan Comen

Published: September 16, 2021 5:45 am

The U.S. reported over 1,325,000 new cases of coronavirus over the seven days ending September 14, bringing the total count to more than 40.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been more than 655,000 COVID-19-related deaths — the highest death toll of any country.

New cases continue to rise at a steady rate. In the past week, there were an average of 46.1 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 Americans — essentially unchanged from the week prior, when there were an average of 47.0 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, 40 are in the South, six are in the Midwest, four are in the West, and zero are in the Northeast.

The five metro areas with the highest number of coronavirus cases per capita are: Laredo, TX; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL; Lubbock, TX; San Angelo, TX; and Yuma, AZ. The incidence of COVID-19 in these metro areas range from 19,935.9 cases per 100,000 to 19,095.0 cases per 100,000. For comparison, there are currently 12,636.9 cases per 100,000 Americans nationwide.

The 50 cities with the highest incidence of COVID-19 have over 5,100 more coronavirus cases per capita than the U.S. as a whole, and cases are still growing at a steady pace. There were an average of 79.2 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week ending September 14, roughly unchanged from the week prior, when there were an average of 83.3 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. In seven 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 September 14. 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 2019 American Community Survey and are five-year estimates. Unemployment data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is seasonally adjusted.

50. Lake Charles, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 32,939
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 15,794.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 544
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 260.8
> Population: 208,549

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

49. Brunswick, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 18,718
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 15,943.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 350
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 298.1
> Population: 117,400

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

48. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 118,175
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,024.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 1,429
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 193.8
> Population: 737,468

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

47. Kokomo, IN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 13,195
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,026.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 255
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 309.7
> Population: 82,331

These are all the counties in Indiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

46. Corpus Christi, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 68,951
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,089.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 1,307
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 305.0
> Population: 428,548

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

45. Birmingham-Hoover, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 174,913
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,116.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 2,596
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 239.2
> Population: 1,085,330

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

20200608 34 The Commercial New... (CC BY 2.0) by David Wilson

44. Danville, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 12,545
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,173.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 175
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 225.6
> Population: 77,563

These are all the counties in Illinois where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

43. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 83,199
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,178.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 1,009
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 196.2
> Population: 514,259

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

42. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 44,130
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,220.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 576
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 211.7
> Population: 272,056

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

41. Bowling Green, KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 28,314
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,226.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 314
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 179.9
> Population: 174,498

These are all the counties in Kentucky where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

40. Joplin, MO
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 28,910
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,232.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 422
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 236.9
> Population: 178,100

These are all the counties in Missouri where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

39. Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 23,412
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,275.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 350
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 243.3
> Population: 143,846

These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

38. Hammond, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 21,568
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,332.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 447
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 338.5
> Population: 132,057

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

37. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 34,950
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,421.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 412
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 193.6
> Population: 212,830

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

36. Jacksonville, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 247,135
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,436.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 3,563
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 237.0
> Population: 1,503,574

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

35. Valdosta, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 23,955
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,484.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 333
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 229.2
> Population: 145,315

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

34. Mobile, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 71,293
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,554.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 1,167
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 271.0
> Population: 430,655

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

33. Florence, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 34,176
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,630.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 662
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 322.1
> Population: 205,502

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

32. Amarillo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 43,934
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,655.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 848
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 321.5
> Population: 263,776

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

31. Rome, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 16,275
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,714.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 272
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 279.3
> Population: 97,369

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

30. Tallahassee, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 64,164
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,788.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 645
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 168.8
> Population: 382,197

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

29. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 314,349
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,793.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 3,156
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 168.6
> Population: 1,871,903

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Houma, Louisiana (3) (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

28. Houma-Thibodaux, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 35,312
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,802.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 544
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 258.8
> Population: 210,162

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

27. Anniston-Oxford, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 19,273
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,815.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 363
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 316.7
> Population: 114,618

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

26. Morristown, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 23,784
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,878.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 367
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 260.4
> Population: 140,912

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

25. Hattiesburg, MS
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 28,423
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,900.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 481
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 286.0
> Population: 168,177

These are all the counties in Mississippi where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

24. Panama City, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 30,856
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 16,938.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 589
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 323.3
> Population: 182,161

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

23. El Centro, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 30,760
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,022.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 753
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 416.7
> Population: 180,701

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

22. Gainesville, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 33,990
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,109.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 537
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 270.3
> Population: 198,667

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

21. El Paso, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 143,199
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,127.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 2,796
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 334.4
> Population: 836,062

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

20. Spartanburg, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 52,796
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,162.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 914
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 297.1
> Population: 307,617

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

19. Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 83,916
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,187.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 1,236
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 253.2
> Population: 488,246

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

18. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 119,325
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,388.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 1,941
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 282.9
> Population: 686,218

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

17. Greenville-Anderson, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 156,440
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,461.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 2,249
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 251.0
> Population: 895,942

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

16. Sioux Falls, SD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 45,414
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,510.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 533
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 205.5
> Population: 259,348

These are all the counties in South Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

15. Jackson, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 31,451
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,625.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 554
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 310.5
> Population: 178,442

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

14. Gadsden, AL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 18,169
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,683.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 410
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 399.0
> Population: 102,748

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

13. Monroe, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 36,508
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 17,943.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 717
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 352.4
> Population: 203,457

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

12. Hanford-Corcoran, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 27,631
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 18,336.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 275
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 182.5
> Population: 150,691

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Cleveland tennessee ocoeestreet1 (CC BY 3.0) by Brian Stansberry

11. Cleveland, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 22,475
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 18,337.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 189
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 154.2
> Population: 122,563

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

10. Jonesboro, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 24,088
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 18,354.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 313
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 238.5
> Population: 131,241

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Downtown Provo, Utah (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

9. Provo-Orem, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 114,077
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 18,495.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 479
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 77.7
> Population: 616,791

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Main Street from the South 2 - Pine Bluff, Arkansas (CC BY 2.0) by Paul Sableman

8. Pine Bluff, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 16,856
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 18,550.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 298
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 328.0
> Population: 90,865

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

7. Dalton, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 27,093
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 18,819.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 378
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 262.6
> Population: 143,961

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

6. Bismarck, ND
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 24,110
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 18,909.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 312
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 244.7
> Population: 127,503

These are all the counties in North Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

5. Yuma, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 39,998
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 19,095.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 871
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 415.8
> Population: 209,468

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

4. San Angelo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 22,996
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 19,490.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 329
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 278.8
> Population: 117,986

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 September 14: 61,934
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 19,570.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 931
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 294.2
> Population: 316,474

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

2. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 1,201,743
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 19,730.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 15,334
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 251.8
> Population: 6,090,660

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

1. Laredo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14: 54,530
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 19,935.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14: 852
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 14 per 100,000 residents: 311.5
> Population: 273,526

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

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