In the United States, what are the oldest cities?

In 1776, the Thirteen Colonies may have proclaimed their independence, but there were towns and settlements in the US long before it really became a nation. In the United States, what are the oldest cities? Below, we have them identified.

Bear in mind that many early settlements are either historical sites or have been assembled to form our modern day cities. We also taken note of the modern-day names where appropriate. With that in mind, the ten oldest towns in the United States are here.

In the United States, what are the oldest cities?

Uh. 10. Quincy, Massachusetts-1625

In 1625, just southeast of what is now Boston, this Massachusetts town was first founded. The city eventually settled on its new one in 1792 after going through a few name changes. Quincy currently acts as a place of historical interest and has a population of 95,000.

9. New York, New York-1624-1624

The country's largest city has not always been around, but has been in existence since 1624. After Dutch settlers selected the perfect spot for their New Amsterdam along the Hudson River, they built the settlement into a prosperous town. The town is now home to an extremely large population of around 8.6 million.

8. Massachusetts, Gloucester, 1623

Taking its name from Gloucester, England, this maritime town was incorporated about twenty years after it was first settled by English colonists in 1623. The population of Gloucester today has grown to 30,000 residents. In Gloucester's history, fishing is vitally important: the Fisherman's Memorial of the city was erected to remember the thousands that have been lost at sea over the years.

7. Dover, 1623, New Hampshire

Dover was originally named Bristol by the British colonists, who first arrived in 1623, with a population of just over 31,000 people. Dover's early success with its shipbuilding industry led to an increased variety of manufacturing endeavors that has evolved over the centuries to include textile mills and electrical machinery, among other innovations.

6. 1620, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Plymouth, yet another city in Massachusetts, can trace its history back to 1620. The site of the famed Plymouth Rock was the first spot for Pilgrims to make the trip from England. They settled the land and developed it into the new city of around 60,000 people over the next 400 years.

5. City of Jersey, New Jersey, 1618

Delaware Native Americans called it home until Dutch settlers claimed this peninsula area as Paulus Hook in 1618. A few times before 1674, the settlement changed hands between the Dutch and the British, when Britain regained it in the aftermath of the Dutch War. As it was named in 1820, Jersey City now boasts a population of over 270,000 inhabitants.

4. Albany, New York 1614-1614

Originally the location of the Dutch West India Company's small trading post, Albany has a tradition of settlements that originated in 1614. In honor of the Dutch royal family, it was known as Fort Orange and became Albany when Britain took possession of the settlement in 1654. Albany, the state capital of New York since 1797, has a population of approximately 98,000 residents.

Reading further: Why is Albany the New York Capital?

3. 1607 Jamestown, Virginia

The first English permanent settlement in the United States was established in 1607. Due to its ideal set of conditions for hunting, resource collection, and protection, Jamestown was claimed by members of the Virginia Company in 1607. Both the historic site on Jamestown Island and the replica of the Jamestown Settlement are national historic parks today. These sites are located near modern-day Newport News, Virginia, a major city with a population of 179,000 people.

2. 1607, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, the only landlocked city on this list, was founded between 1607 and 1610. The first to take possession of the city from the Native Americans were Spanish colonists. Before Santa Fe eventually became the property of the United States after the Mexican American War in 1846, sovereignty was then passed to Mexico. The city is presently home to a population of 84,000.

Reading further: Why is the capital of New Mexico located in Santa Fe?

1. St. Augustine, Florida, 1565-

More than 40 years before their first permanent settlement was founded by the English colonists, the Spanish had already constructed theirs. In 1513, as part of his search for the Fountain of Youth, St. Augustine was the landing spot of the famous European explorer, Ponce de Leon. Settlers, however, did not come into the country until 1565. It is the oldest official city in the entire country and, with just 14,000 individuals, has the lowest population of any city on this list.

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