Special Report

These Are the Cities With the Fewest COVID-19 Cases

Evan Comen

Published: September 23, 2021 5:45 am

The U.S. reported over 1,026,000 new cases of coronavirus on September 21, bringing the total count to more than 41.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been more than 669,000 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 47.3 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 Americans — essentially unchanged from the week prior, when there were an average of 48.1 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 lowest incidence of COVID-19 cases are distributed relatively unevenly across the United States. Of the 50 metro areas with the lowest case counts per capita, 26 are in the West, 17 are in the Northeast, five are in the South, and two are in the Midwest.

The five metro areas with the smallest number of coronavirus cases per capita are: Corvallis, OR; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA; Urban Honolulu, HI; Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI; and Ithaca, NY. The incidence of COVID-19 in these metro areas range from 4,983.2 cases per 100,000 to 5,737.4 cases per 100,000. For comparison, there are currently 12,954.8 cases per 100,000 Americans nationwide.

The 50 cities with the lowest incidence of COVID-19 have more than 4,900 fewer coronavirus cases per capita than the U.S. as a whole, but cases are growing at an increasing rate. There were an average of 55.1 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week ending September 21, an increase from the week prior, when there were an average of 46.1 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. In 46 of the 50 cities with the lowest COVID-19 incidence, new cases are rising at a slowing rate.

To determine the cities with the fewest 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 21.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.

Downtown Grants Pass, Oregon (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

50. Grants Pass, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 8,536
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,896.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 163
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 189.0
> Population: 86,251

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

49. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 118,724
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,830.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 3,073
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 254.5
> Population: 1,207,677

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

48. Manchester-Nashua, NH
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 40,585
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,826.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 662
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 160.3
> Population: 413,035

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

47. Fort Collins, CO
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 33,762
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,792.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 275
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 79.8
> Population: 344,786

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

46. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 60,676
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,681.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 611
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 97.5
> Population: 626,695

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

45. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 43,065
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,681.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 500
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 112.4
> Population: 444,829

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

44. Norwich-New London, CT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 25,746
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,628.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 462
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 172.8
> Population: 267,390

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

43. Rochester, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 103,025
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,602.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 1,502
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 140.0
> Population: 1,072,877

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

42. Lawrence, KS
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 11,543
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,596.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: N/A
> Population: 120,290

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

41. Medford, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 20,753
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,582.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 255
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 117.7
> Population: 216,574

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

40. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 221,338
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,557.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 2,800
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 120.9
> Population: 2,315,980

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

39. Chico, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 21,205
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,390.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 230
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 101.9
> Population: 225,817

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

38. Syracuse, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 60,270
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,238.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 904
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 138.6
> Population: 652,416

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

37. Kingston, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 16,239
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,089.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 271
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 151.7
> Population: 178,665

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

36. Salem, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 38,358
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 9,075.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 458
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 108.4
> Population: 422,678

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

35. Erie, PA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 24,328
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,884.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 444
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 162.1
> Population: 273,835

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

34. Bend, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 16,401
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,805.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 100
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 53.7
> Population: 186,251

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

33. Napa, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 12,246
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,770.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 95
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 68.0
> Population: 139,623

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

32. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 76,947
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,736.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 942
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 107.0
> Population: 880,736

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

31. Lewiston-Auburn, ME
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 9,287
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,630.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 90
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 83.6
> Population: 107,602

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

30. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 534,099
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,619.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 8,203
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 132.4
> Population: 6,196,585

Click here to see all current COVID-19 data for Washington D.C.

29. Boulder, CO
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 27,759
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,607.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 241
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 74.7
> Population: 322,510

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

28. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 233,601
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,352.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 4,684
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 167.5
> Population: 2,796,733

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

27. Albany-Lebanon, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 10,302
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,238.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 85
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 68.0
> Population: 125,048

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

26. Ann Arbor, MI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 29,682
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,087.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 309
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 84.2
> Population: 367,000

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

25. Santa Fe, NM
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 12,026
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,055.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 162
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 108.5
> Population: 149,293

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

24. Charlottesville, VA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 17,284
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 8,022.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 206
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 95.6
> Population: 215,445

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

23. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 39,376
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 7,878.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 376
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 75.2
> Population: 499,772

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

22. Barnstable Town, MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 16,364
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 7,664.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 495
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 231.9
> Population: 213,496

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

21. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 147,472
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 7,418.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 1,908
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 96.0
> Population: 1,987,846

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

20. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 20,134
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 7,349.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 211
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 77.0
> Population: 273,962

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

19. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 279,786
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 7,227.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 3,261
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 84.2
> Population: 3,871,323

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

View northwest up the Patuxent River... (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Famartin

18. California-Lexington Park, MD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 7,985
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 7,111.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 142
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 126.5
> Population: 112,290

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

17. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 332,723
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 7,077.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 3,698
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 78.7
> Population: 4,701,332

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

South First Street, Mount Vernon, Washington (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Jmabel

16. Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 8,728
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,948.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 90
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 71.6
> Population: 125,612

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

15. Portland-South Portland, ME
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 36,727
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,902.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 370
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 69.5
> Population: 532,075

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

14. Glens Falls, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 8,516
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,764.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 137
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 108.8
> Population: 125,892

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

Whitewater Park - Watertown, N... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Doug Kerr

13. Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 7,370
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,531.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 71
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 62.9
> Population: 112,842

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

12. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 158,361
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,474.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 1,712
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 70.0
> Population: 2,445,761

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

11. Eugene-Springfield, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 23,632
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,329.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 246
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 65.9
> Population: 373,340

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

10. Bellingham, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 13,743
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,223.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 130
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 58.9
> Population: 220,821

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

9. Pittsfield, MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 7,825
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,189.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 309
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 244.4
> Population: 126,425

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

8. Bangor, ME
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 9,249
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 6,093.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 127
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 83.7
> Population: 151,774

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

7. Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 16,726
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 5,979.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 176
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 62.9
> Population: 279,711

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

6. Burlington-South Burlington, VT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 12,563
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 5,742.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 158
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 72.2
> Population: 218,784

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

5. Ithaca, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 5,889
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 5,737.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 59
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 57.5
> Population: 102,642

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

4. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 9,053
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 5,454.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 83
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 50.0
> Population: 165,979

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

3. Urban Honolulu, HI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 52,646
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 5,345.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 542
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 55.0
> Population: 984,821

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

2. Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 13,865
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 5,214.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 162
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 60.9
> Population: 265,882

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

1. Corvallis, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21: 4,540
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 4,983.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21: 27
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of September 21 per 100,000 residents: 29.6
> Population: 91,107

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

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.