The 10 Oldest State Capitals

The five oldest settlements in North America are in Mexico; Tlapacoya (7,500 BCE), Tepoztlán (1,500 BCE), San José Mogote (1500 BCE), Chalcatzingo (1,500 BCE), and Calixtlahuaca (1,500 BCE). The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is recorded as the earliest pre-Columbian Native American settlement. It was settled in the mid-first century. San Miguel de Gualdape was the first city to be settled by Europeans, however, it was abandoned after only three months. Most of the modern cities in the US were established between 1600 and 1900.

The 10 Oldest State Capitals

Santa Fe

Santa Fe, New Mexico is the oldest capital in the US. It was established in 1610 by the Spanish. Today, the city covers an area of 37.4 square miles. As at December 2017, the capital had a population of 85,053 up from 67,947 in 2010. It was part of Mexico until the state of Texas seceded to the US in 1836.

Boston

Boston, Massachusetts is the second oldest city in the country. It was established in 1630. It is the longest continuous serving capital in the US. Today, Boston covers an area of 89.63 square miles and has a population of 687,584.

Annapolis

Annapolis in Maryland is the third oldest capital in the country. It was established in 1649 and became the capital in 1694. Annapolis is the smallest capital in the country in terms of area. Today, the capital covers an area of 8.10 square miles and is home to 39,342 people as of January 2018.

Dover

The city of Dover in Delaware was established in 1683 and became the capital in 1777. It is the second largest city in the state. Today, Dover covers an area of 23.48 square miles. The city has a population of 38,414.

Richmond

Richmond, Virginia was established in 1737. In 1780, it became the capital of the Colony of Virginia. Richmond is an independent city. It is the seat of the Henrico County although it is not considered part of the county. As at January 2018, the capital had a population of 230,254.

Trenton

Trenton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1719 and became the capital in 1784. Trenton served as the capital of the US briefly between November 1 and December 24, 1784. The city covers an area of 8.155 square miles. As at January 2018, the capital’s population was estimated at 83,798 down from 84,913 in 2010.

Columbia

The capital of the South Carolina, Columbia is the second largest city in the state after Charleston. It became the state capital in 1786. Today Columbia covers an area of 134.9 square miles and has a population of 134,969.

Raleigh

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, became the state capital in 1792. It is the second largest city in the state after Charlotte. The city had a population of 476,746 as at January 2018.

Frankfort

Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky. It was established in 1786 before becoming the state capital in 1792. The capital covers an area of 14.6 square miles and has a population of 28,105.

Albany

Albany, New York is the tenth oldest capital in the United States. It has been the capital sine 1797. The city covers an area of 21.94 square miles and has a population of 98,000.

The Least Populated State Capital

Montpelier in Vermont is the least populous capital in the country with a population of 7,855. The city of Pierre in South Dakota ranks second with a population of 14,070. Augusta in Maine ranks third with a population of 18,500. Others include Frankfort in Kentucky (28,105), Juneau in Alaska (32,200), and Helena in Montana (32,285).