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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.
Find a Qualified Financial Advisor (Sponsor)
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.