The U.S. reported over 562,000 new cases of coronavirus over the seven days ending May 15, bringing the total count to more than 81.4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been more than 991,000 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 22.7 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 Americans — essentially unchanged from the week prior, when there were an average of 18.2 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, 16 are in the Midwest, 10 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 36,907.4 cases per 100,000 to 36,310.0 cases per 100,000. For comparison, there are currently 25,214.1 cases per 100,000 Americans nationwide.
The 50 cities with the highest incidence of COVID-19 have over 7,100 more coronavirus cases per capita than the U.S. as a whole, and cases are growing at an increasing rate. There were an average of 23.0 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week ending May 15, an increase from the week prior, when there were an average of 16.6 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. In two 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 15. 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. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 202,955
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,575.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 2,991
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 435.9
> Population: 686,218
49. Florence, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 60,800
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,586.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 942
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 458.4
> Population: 205,502
48. Greenville, NC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 52,792
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,586.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 205
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 114.9
> Population: 178,433
47. La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 40,509
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,667.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 204
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 149.4
> Population: 136,542
46. Appleton, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 69,914
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,671.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 527
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 223.7
> Population: 235,628
45. Monroe, LA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 60,443
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,708.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,023
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 502.8
> Population: 203,457
44. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 1,416,338
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,745.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 18,992
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 398.9
> Population: 4,761,603
43. Tallahassee, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 114,145
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,865.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,056
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 276.3
> Population: 382,197
42. Yuma, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 62,751
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,957.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,181
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 563.8
> Population: 209,468
41. Lexington-Fayette, KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 153,145
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,990.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,033
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 202.3
> Population: 510,647
40. Johnson City, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 60,599
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 29,992.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 926
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 458.3
> Population: 202,049
39. Eau Claire, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 50,249
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,016.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 374
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 223.4
> Population: 167,406
38. Morristown, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 42,337
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,045.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 727
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 515.9
> Population: 140,912
37. Bloomington, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 52,074
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,174.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 294
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 170.4
> Population: 172,578
36. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 109,763
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,335.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,358
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 375.3
> Population: 361,832
35. Beckley, WV
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 36,223
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,483.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 554
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 466.2
> Population: 118,828
34. Salt Lake City, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 366,604
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,523.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,739
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 144.8
> 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 15: 36,320
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,655.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 470
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 396.7
> Population: 118,477
32. Lubbock, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 97,205
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,715.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,410
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 445.5
> Population: 316,474
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
31. Grand Forks, ND-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 31,296
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,759.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 232
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 228.0
> Population: 101,745
30. Columbia, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 254,544
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,880.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 2,326
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 282.2
> Population: 824,278
29. Great Falls, MT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 25,246
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,929.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 341
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 417.8
> Population: 81,625
28. Cleveland, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 37,928
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,945.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 489
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 399.0
> Population: 122,563
27. Spartanburg, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 95,357
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 30,998.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,548
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 503.2
> Population: 307,617
26. Kokomo, IN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 25,538
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,018.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 449
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 545.4
> Population: 82,331
25. Oshkosh-Neenah, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 52,898
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,041.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 381
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 223.6
> Population: 170,411
24. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 504,156
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,154.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: N/A
> Population: 1,618,268
23. Flagstaff, AZ
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 44,091
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,209.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 478
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 338.3
> Population: 141,274
22. Carbondale-Marion, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 43,098
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,327.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 410
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 298.0
> Population: 137,573
21. Evansville, IN-KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 98,710
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,340.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,105
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 350.8
> Population: 314,960
20. Champaign-Urbana, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 71,372
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,535.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 311
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 137.4
> Population: 226,323
19. Fond du Lac, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 32,418
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,597.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 277
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 270.0
> Population: 102,597
18. Dalton, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 45,563
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 31,649.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 627
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 435.5
> Population: 143,961
17. Bowling Green, KY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 56,189
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 32,200.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 580
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 332.4
> Population: 174,498
16. Green Bay, WI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 102,899
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 32,216.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 735
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 230.1
> Population: 319,401
15. Farmington, NM
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 40,924
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 32,347.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 754
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 596.0
> Population: 126,515
14. Jackson, TN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 58,772
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 32,936.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 870
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 487.6
> Population: 178,442
13. Greenville-Anderson, SC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 296,141
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 33,053.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 3,933
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 439.0
> Population: 895,942
12. St. Cloud, MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 65,818
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 33,144.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 542
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 272.9
> Population: 198,581
11. Fargo, ND-MN
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 79,762
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 33,176.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 457
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 190.1
> Population: 240,421
10. Provo-Orem, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 205,586
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 33,331.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 817
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 132.5
> 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 15: 41,068
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 34,807.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 553
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 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 15: 45,795
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 34,893.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 456
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 347.5
> Population: 131,241
7. Laredo, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 95,968
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 35,085.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 1,036
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 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 15: 141,237
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 35,406.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 785
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 196.8
> 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 15: 2,211,521
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 36,310.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 21,832
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 358.5
> Population: 6,090,660
4. Danville, IL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 28,231
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 36,397.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 296
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 381.6
> Population: 77,563
3. Bismarck, ND
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 46,605
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 36,552.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 450
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 352.9
> Population: 127,503
2. Hanford-Corcoran, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 55,391
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 36,758.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 447
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 296.6
> Population: 150,691
1. El Centro, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15: 66,692
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 36,907.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15: 917
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 15 per 100,000 residents: 507.5
> Population: 180,701
Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.
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