The U.S. reported over 620,000 new cases of coronavirus in the seven days ending May 17, bringing the total count to more than 81.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been more than 992,000 COVID-19-related deaths — the highest death toll of any country.
New cases continue to rise at a faster rate. In the past week, there were an average of 24.6 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 Americans — an increase from the week prior, when there were an average of 19.2 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 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, 15 are in the South, eight are in the Northeast, and one is in the Midwest.
The five metro areas with the smallest number of coronavirus cases per capita are: St. George, UT; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA; Eugene-Springfield, OR; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA; and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD. The incidence of COVID-19 in these metro areas range from 12,376.7 cases per 100,000 to 16,471.3 cases per 100,000. For comparison, there are currently 25,296.3 cases per 100,000 Americans nationwide.
The 50 cities with the lowest incidence of COVID-19 have more than 6,800 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 48.1 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week ending May 17, an increase from the week prior, when there were an average of 39.8 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. In 45 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 May 17.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. Boulder, CO
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 66,951
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,759.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 372
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 115.3
> Population: 322,510
49. Sherman-Denison, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 27,172
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,739.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 636
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 485.4
> Population: 131,014
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
48. Ithaca, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 21,287
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,739.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 85
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 82.8
> Population: 102,642
47. Homosassa Springs, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 30,087
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,725.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 976
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 672.3
> Population: 145,169
46. Pittsfield, MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 26,169
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,699.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 378
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 299.0
> Population: 126,425
45. Ames, IA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 25,499
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,678.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 144
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 116.8
> Population: 123,311
These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
44. Redding, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 36,988
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,639.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 557
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 310.8
> Population: 179,212
43. Salem, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 86,522
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,470.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 855
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 202.3
> Population: 422,678
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
42. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 57,556
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,398.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 478
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 169.4
> Population: 282,165
41. Killeen-Temple, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 90,531
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,357.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 1,203
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 270.5
> Population: 444,716
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
40. Punta Gorda, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 36,747
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,294.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 812
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 448.5
> Population: 181,067
39. Vallejo, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 89,414
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,237.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 451
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 102.1
> Population: 441,829
38. Victoria, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 20,145
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,210.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 445
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 446.5
> Population: 99,674
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
37. Medford, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 43,552
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,109.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 535
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 247.0
> Population: 216,574
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
36. Tyler, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 45,596
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,046.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 968
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 425.6
> Population: 227,449
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
35. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 352,443
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 20,005.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 3,913
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 222.1
> Population: 1,761,729
34. Napa, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 27,764
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,885.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 143
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 102.4
> Population: 139,623
33. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 767,602
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,827.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 5,314
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 137.3
> Population: 3,871,323
32. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 239,231
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,809.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 3,913
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 324.0
> Population: 1,207,677
31. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 457,504
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,754.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 4,176
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 180.3
> Population: 2,315,980
30. Bangor, ME
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 29,765
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,611.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 331
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 218.1
> Population: 151,774
These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
29. Santa Fe, NM
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 29,227
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,576.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 287
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 192.2
> Population: 149,293
28. Longview, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 55,415
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,457.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 1,334
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 468.4
> Population: 284,796
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
27. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 76,398
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,332.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 1,449
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 366.7
> Population: 395,174
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
26. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 32,001
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,280.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 140
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 84.3
> Population: 165,979
These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
25. Grants Pass, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 16,627
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,277.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 339
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 393.0
> Population: 86,251
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
24. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 52,532
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,174.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: N/A
> Population: 273,962
23. Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 21,550
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,097.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 139
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 123.2
> Population: 112,842
22. Kingston, NY
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 34,058
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 19,062.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 366
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 204.9
> Population: 178,665
21. Hinesville, GA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 15,185
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 18,971.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 184
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 229.9
> Population: 80,041
20. Portland-South Portland, ME
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 100,256
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 18,842.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 690
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 129.7
> Population: 532,075
These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
19. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 1,158,661
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 18,698.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 11,019
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 177.8
> Population: 6,196,585
Click here to see all current COVID-19 data for Washington D.C.
18. Charlottesville, VA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 40,060
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 18,594.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 381
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 176.8
> Population: 215,445
17. Urban Honolulu, HI
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 178,469
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 18,122.0
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 1,063
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 107.9
> Population: 984,821
These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
16. Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 22,747
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 18,108.9
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 204
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 162.4
> Population: 125,612
15. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 90,191
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 18,046.4
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 488
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 97.6
> Population: 499,772
14. The Villages, FL
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 22,416
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,926.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 576
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 460.6
> Population: 125,044
13. Corvallis, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 16,301
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,892.1
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 71
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 77.9
> Population: 91,107
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
12. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 355,651
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,891.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 2,395
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 120.5
> Population: 1,987,846
11. Bellingham, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 39,343
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,816.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 301
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 136.3
> Population: 220,821
10. Chico, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 40,181
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,793.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 424
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 187.8
> Population: 225,817
9. Barnstable Town, MA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 37,644
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,632.2
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 584
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 273.5
> Population: 213,496
8. Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 49,071
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,543.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 417
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 149.1
> Population: 279,711
7. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 813,870
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,311.5
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 5,026
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 106.9
> Population: 4,701,332
_along_the_border_of_Solomons,_Calvert_County,_Maryland_and_California,_St._Mary%27s_County,_Maryland_just_before_sunset.jpg "View northwest up the Patuxent River... by Famartin")
6. California-Lexington Park, MD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 19,328
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 17,212.6
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 217
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 193.2
> Population: 112,290
5. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 460,658
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 16,471.3
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 6,818
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 243.8
> Population: 2,796,733
4. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 398,043
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 16,274.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 3,566
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 145.8
> Population: 2,445,761
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
3. Eugene-Springfield, OR
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 59,853
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 16,031.8
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 541
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 144.9
> Population: 373,340
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
2. Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 41,506
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 15,610.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 344
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 129.4
> Population: 265,882
1. St. George, UT
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17: 20,522
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 12,376.7
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17: 204
> Cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of May 17 per 100,000 residents: 123.0
> Population: 165,811
These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.
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