Special Report

These Are the Cities With the Most COVID-19 Cases

Evan Comen

Published: May 10, 2022 5:45 am

The U.S. reported over 434,000 new cases of coronavirus over the seven days ending May 8, bringing the total count to more than 80.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been more than 989,000 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 18.2 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 Americans — essentially unchanged from the week prior, when there were an average of 14.6 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, 23 are in the South, 15 are in the Midwest, 11 are in the West, and one is in the Northeast.

The five metro areas with the highest number of coronavirus cases per capita are: El Centro, CA; Hanford-Corcoran, CA; Bismarck, ND; Danville, IL; and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL. The incidence of COVID-19 in these metro areas range from 36,807.2 cases per 100,000 to 36,054.4 cases per 100,000. For comparison, there are currently 25,040.0 cases per 100,000 Americans nationwide.

The 50 cities with the highest incidence of COVID-19 have over 7,200 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 16.4 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week ending May 8, roughly unchanged from the week prior, when there were an average of 13.5 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. In one 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 May 8. 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. Greenville, NC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 52,595
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,476.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 207
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 116.0
> Population: 178,433

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

49. Hattiesburg, MS
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 49,577
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,479.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 650
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 386.5
> Population: 168,177

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

48. Kennewick-Richland, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 85,399
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,496.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 683
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 235.9
> Population: 289,527

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

47. Appleton, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 69,573
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,526.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 527
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 223.7
> Population: 235,628

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

46. Florence, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 60,721
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,547.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 941
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 457.9
> Population: 205,502

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

45. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 1,412,402
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,662.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 18,970
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 398.4
> Population: 4,761,603

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

44. Monroe, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 60,369
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,671.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,019
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 500.8
> Population: 203,457

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

43. Eau Claire, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 49,756
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,721.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 372
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 222.2
> Population: 167,406

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

42. Tallahassee, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 113,866
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,792.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,052
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 275.3
> Population: 382,197

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

41. Bloomington, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 51,448
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,811.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 293
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 169.8
> Population: 172,578

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

40. Lexington-Fayette, KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 152,350
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,834.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,021
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 199.9
> Population: 510,647

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

39. Johnson City, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 60,447
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,917.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 923
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 456.8
> Population: 202,049

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

38. Yuma, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 62,716
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 29,940.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,180
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 563.3
> Population: 209,468

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

37. Morristown, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 42,291
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,012.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 727
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 515.9
> Population: 140,912

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

36. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 109,333
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,216.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,354
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 374.2
> Population: 361,832

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

35. Beckley, WV
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 36,025
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,316.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 551
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 463.7
> Population: 118,828

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

34. Salt Lake City, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 364,857
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,378.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,733
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 144.3
> Population: 1,201,043

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

33. Owensboro, KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 36,269
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,612.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 465
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 392.5
> Population: 118,477

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

32. Grand Forks, ND-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 31,166
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,631.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 232
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 228.0
> Population: 101,745

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

31. Lubbock, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 97,124
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,689.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,409
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 445.2
> Population: 316,474

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

30. Columbia, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 253,532
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,758.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 2,323
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 281.8
> Population: 824,278

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

29. Oshkosh-Neenah, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 52,455
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,781.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 380
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 223.0
> Population: 170,411

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

28. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 498,567
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,808.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: N/A
> Population: 1,618,268

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

27. Great Falls, MT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 25,214
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,890.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 341
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 417.8
> Population: 81,625

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

Cleveland tennessee ocoeestreet1 (CC BY 3.0) by Brian Stansberry

26. Cleveland, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 37,899
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,922.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 489
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 399.0
> Population: 122,563

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

25. Spartanburg, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 95,182
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,941.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,547
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 502.9
> Population: 307,617

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

24. Kokomo, IN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 25,481
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 30,949.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 449
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 545.4
> Population: 82,331

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

23. Champaign-Urbana, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 70,332
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 31,075.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 311
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 137.4
> Population: 226,323

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

22. Flagstaff, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 43,931
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 31,096.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 478
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 338.3
> Population: 141,274

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

21. Carbondale-Marion, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 42,877
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 31,166.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 409
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 297.3
> Population: 137,573

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

20. Evansville, IN-KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 98,447
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 31,257.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,097
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 348.3
> Population: 314,960

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

19. Fond du Lac, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 32,154
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 31,340.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 273
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 266.1
> Population: 102,597

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

18. Dalton, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 45,522
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 31,621.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 626
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 434.8
> Population: 143,961

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

17. Green Bay, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 102,274
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 32,020.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 734
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 229.8
> Population: 319,401

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

16. Bowling Green, KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 56,104
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 32,151.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 574
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 328.9
> Population: 174,498

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

15. Farmington, NM
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 40,856
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 32,293.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 752
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 594.4
> Population: 126,515

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

14. Jackson, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 58,683
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 32,886.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 867
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 485.9
> Population: 178,442

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

Downtown St. Cloud, Minnesota (CC BY 2.0) by GPA Photo Archive

13. St. Cloud, MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 65,442
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 32,954.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 541
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 272.4
> Population: 198,581

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

12. Greenville-Anderson, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 295,546
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 32,987.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 3,929
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 438.5
> Population: 895,942

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

11. Fargo, ND-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 79,368
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 33,012.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 457
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 190.1
> Population: 240,421

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

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

10. Provo-Orem, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 205,044
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 33,243.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 816
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 132.3
> Population: 616,791

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

9. San Angelo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 41,025
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 34,771.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 553
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 468.7
> Population: 117,986

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

8. Jonesboro, AR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 45,732
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 34,845.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 456
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 347.5
> Population: 131,241

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

7. Laredo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 95,398
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 34,877.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 1,036
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 378.8
> Population: 273,526

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

6. Anchorage, AK
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 140,427
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 35,203.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 776
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 194.5
> Population: 398,900

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

5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 2,195,952
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 36,054.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 21,810
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 358.1
> Population: 6,090,660

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

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

4. Danville, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 28,128
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 36,264.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 296
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 381.6
> Population: 77,563

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

3. Bismarck, ND
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 46,543
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 36,503.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 450
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 352.9
> Population: 127,503

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

2. Hanford-Corcoran, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 55,300
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 36,697.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 447
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 296.6
> Population: 150,691

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

1. El Centro, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8: 66,511
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 36,807.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8: 910
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 8 per 100,000 residents: 503.6
> Population: 180,701

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

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