The 50 States in Order: A Complete Guide

Have you ever wondered about the order of the 50 states? It might sound like a simple question, but the answer depends on what you’re asking! Are you curious about which state joined the Union first? Or maybe you need a list of the states in order by their population or size. From historical timelines to simple alphabetical lists, understanding the various ways to organize the states offers a fascinating glimpse into the fabric of the United States.

This guide will walk you through the different ways to list the U.S. states. We’ll explore the historical order of statehood, which tells the story of America’s growth. We will also organize the states by size, population, and even alphabetically. Get ready to see the 50 states in a whole new light.

Key Takeaways

• The primary way to list the states in order is by their date of admission into the Union, starting with Delaware in 1787.
• The original 13 colonies ratified the Constitution to become the first 13 states.
• Other common methods for ordering the states include alphabetically, by population size, and by total land and water area.
• Understanding these different orders provides unique insights into the history, geography, and demographics of the United States.

The Historical Order: When Each State Joined the Union

The most common and historically significant way to list the states in order is by the date they were admitted to the United States. This timeline tells the story of the nation’s expansion, from the original 13 colonies on the East Coast to the westward push across the continent and finally to the inclusion of Alaska and Hawaii.

Each state, except for the original 13, went through a formal process to join the Union. This typically involved organizing a territorial government and petitioning Congress for statehood once the population reached a certain threshold. Congress would then pass an enabling act, and the territory would draft a state constitution. Once approved, the President would proclaim the territory a state. This chronological list is fundamental to understanding American history.

The First 13 States: The Foundation of a Nation

The story begins with the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. After the Revolutionary War, these colonies became states and came together to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Delaware was the very first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, earning its nickname, “The First State.”

The other colonies quickly followed suit over the next few years. This initial group of states formed the foundation of the new federal republic. Listing these states in order of ratification shows the sequence in which they formally joined the new government. This period was crucial, as it established the structure and principles that would guide the nation’s growth.

Here are the first 13 states in order of their ratification of the U.S. Constitution:

States 14-30: Westward Expansion and Growth

After the establishment of the original 13 states, the United States began a period of rapid expansion. This era was defined by the famous Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the concept of “Manifest Destiny”—the belief that the nation was destined to stretch from coast to coast. This belief fueled exploration, settlement, and the creation of new states.

Vermont was the first state to join the Union after the original 13, admitted in 1791. It was followed closely by Kentucky in 1792. The list of states in order during this period reflects the country’s steady march westward. States like Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Missouri were carved out of newly acquired territories. This expansion was not without conflict, as it often involved displacing Native American populations and contentious debates over the extension of slavery into new territories.

States 31-50: Completing the Union

The second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century saw the United States complete its modern map. The admission of California in 1850 was a pivotal moment, spurred by the Gold Rush and solidifying the nation’s presence on the Pacific coast. The period leading up to and following the Civil War saw the admission of several more states, including Kansas, West Virginia, and Nevada.

The turn of the 20th century brought the final mainland states into the fold, with Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico joining the Union. For a long time, there were 48 states. This era concluded in 1959 with the admission of two non-contiguous territories: Alaska, the vast northern frontier, and Hawaii, the tropical archipelago in the Pacific. These final additions created the 50-state Union we know today, making the study of the states in order a complete journey through American history.

Complete List of All 50 States by Date of Admission

For a quick reference, here is the full list of all 50 U.S. states in order of their admission to the Union. This table is a fantastic tool for students, history buffs, or anyone wanting a clear overview of how the United States was assembled.

Note: There’s a historical debate about the order of New Mexico and Arizona. New Mexico was admitted first in January 1912, while Arizona joined in February 1912, making them the 47th and 48th states, respectively. They are sometimes swapped in lists, so we have corrected the order here.

Other Ways to List the States in Order

While the date of admission is the most historically relevant method, there are several other practical and interesting ways to arrange the states in order. These lists can reveal different things about the country, from its demographic landscape to its physical geography. Depending on your needs—whether for research, a school project, or just general knowledge—these alternative orderings can be very useful. Let’s explore some of the most common alternative ways to organize the 50 states.

Alphabetical Order

Sometimes, the simplest way is the best. Listing the states in order alphabetically is straightforward and makes it easy to find a specific state quickly. This method removes all historical or demographic context and provides a clean, unbiased list. It’s perfect for checklists, reference guides, and any situation where you need to locate a state’s name without fuss. From Alabama to Wyoming, this order is the most common for administrative and reference purposes.

Here is the list of states in alphabetical order:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

States in Order by Population

Arranging the states in order of population gives us a snapshot of where people live in the United States. This list is constantly changing with population shifts, but it highlights the demographic powerhouses of the nation. California has long held the top spot, with a population that exceeds that of many countries. Texas, Florida, and New York are also major population centers.

Looking at this list helps us understand economic trends, political representation (since the House of Representatives is based on population), and cultural dynamics. At the other end of the spectrum, states like Wyoming, Vermont, and Alaska have small populations spread across large areas, creating a very different way of life. For more detailed insights on demographic trends, you might find resources like those on Forbes Planet to be quite useful.

Top 10 Most Populous States (2024 Estimates)

1. California
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. New York
5. Pennsylvania
6. Illinois
7. Ohio
8. Georgia
9. North Carolina
10. Michigan

Top 10 Least Populous States (2024 Estimates)

1. Wyoming
2. Vermont
3. District of Columbia (Note: D.C. is not a state but is often included in population lists.)
4. Alaska
5. North Dakota
6. South Dakota
7. Delaware
8. Rhode Island
9. Montana
10. Maine

States in Order by Size (Total Area)

Organizing the states in order by their total area, including both land and water, reveals the vast and diverse geography of the United States. This perspective shows which states have the largest physical footprints on the map. It’s no surprise that Alaska is, by a massive margin, the largest state. It is more than twice the size of Texas, the second-largest state.

This geographical ordering is important for understanding natural resources, land use, and regional identities. The wide-open spaces of states like Alaska, Texas, and Montana contrast sharply with the smaller, densely populated states in the Northeast, such as Rhode Island and Delaware. Rhode Island, the smallest state, could fit inside Alaska over 400 times! This list truly emphasizes the scale and geographic diversity of the nation.

Top 10 Largest States by Total Area

1. Alaska
2. Texas
3. California
4. Montana
5. New Mexico
6. Arizona
7. Nevada
8. Colorado
9. Oregon
10. Wyoming

Top 10 Smallest States by Total Area

1. Rhode Island
2. Delaware
3. Connecticut
4. New Jersey
5. New Hampshire
6. Vermont
7. Massachusetts
8. Hawaii
9. Maryland
10. West Virginia

Conclusion

Understanding the different ways to list the states in order provides a multi-faceted view of the United States. The historical order of admission tells the compelling story of the nation’s birth and expansion, from the 13 original colonies to the 50 states that make up the country today. Meanwhile, ordering the states by population reveals the demographic centers that drive the nation’s economy and culture, while ordering them by size highlights the immense geographic diversity of the American landscape.

Whether you are a student working on a project, a trivia enthusiast, or simply a curious citizen, knowing these various orders deepens your appreciation for the unique characteristics of each state and its place within the larger Union. Each list tells a different part of the American story, offering valuable context about its past, present, and future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the correct order of the 50 states?
The most historically significant and widely accepted method is to list the states in order of their admission to the Union. This begins with Delaware (1787) and ends with Hawaii (1959). However, they can also be correctly ordered alphabetically, by population, or by size.

Q2: Which were the first 13 states in order?
The first 13 states were the original colonies that ratified the U.S. Constitution. In order, they are: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

Q3: Why are North and South Dakota listed as the 39th and 40th states?
North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted on the same day, November 2, 1889. President Benjamin Harrison intentionally shuffled the papers and signed them blindly, so it is not officially known which was signed first. However, by tradition and alphabetical order, North Dakota is typically listed as the 39th state and South Dakota as the 40th.

Q4: What was the last mainland state to join the U.S.?
The last contiguous, or mainland, state to be admitted to the Union was Arizona, which became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.

Q5: How can I remember the states in order?
Memorizing all 50 states in order of admission can be challenging. A good approach is to break the list into smaller, manageable chunks. Try learning the first 13, then the states admitted before the Civil War, and so on. Using mnemonic devices or songs can also be a fun and effective way to remember them.