Discover the Largest Cities in England (By Population, Total Area, and Economic Impact)

England is known for its capital city, London, its Royal Family, and miserable weather. But there is so much more to this historical country. For example, London is not the only large city in England. There are several cities in this country that stand out for their massive population, total area, and economic impact. So continue reading to discover the largest cities in England and why they are so popular.

Largest Cities in England By Population

London

As England’s capital, London also has the largest population in the country, with 9.3 million individuals living and working in the city. London is home to Big Ben, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and the tube (public transport). In addition, many celebrities were born and raised in this city, like Emilia Clarke, Daniel Radcliffe, Emily Blunt, Tom Hardy, Dev Patel, and Idris Elba.

Manchester

England’s second-largest city by population is Manchester, with 2.7 million residents. This historical city was at the heart of the Revolution and became the country’s leading producer of textiles and cotton. Furthermore, Manchester is notorious for being the first industrialized city on the planet.

Birmingham

The third-largest city in England is Birmingham, with a population of 2.6 million individuals. There must be something in the water in Birmingham because it is the home of heavy metal, producing artists like Juda Priest, Black Sabbath, especially Ozzy Osbourne, and Robert Plant, the lead singer of Led Zeppelin. Other artists from this city include UB40, The Streets, Laura Mvula, Wizzard, and Duran Duran.

Leeds

England’s fourth-largest city by population is Leeds, with 1.8 million residents. Leeds is known for the Leeds Festival, a huge variety of retail spaces, the University of Leeds, Emmerdale, and Yorkshire Ripper murders; it’s the birthplace of Marks & Spencer and is notorious for its successful sports teams.

Sheffield

The fifth-largest city in England is Sheffield, with a population of 556,500 individuals. Sheffield is also known for its music scene, producing artists like Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Bring Me The Horizon, Def Leppard, The Human League, and Reverend and The Makers. Furthermore, a plaque commemorates the time Jarvis Cocker, the frontman of Pulp, fell out the window on Division Street! Lastly, Sheffield has several iconic music venues, like Utilita Arena, The Leadmill, O2 Academy, and smaller venues, like Picture House Social and Delicious Clam.

Largest Cities in England By Total Area

London

Again, London comes in first place for being the largest city in England by total area, covering 1,570 square kilometers. Its total area is one of the reasons this city has such an extensive underground railroad, fondly known as the tube.

Birmingham

England’s second-largest city by total area is Birmingham, which covers 267 square kilometers. This city has grown significantly over the last 200 years thanks to a combination of scientific achievements, civic investments, commercial innovation, and a steady increase of migrant workers.

Leeds

The third-largest city in the country is Leeds, spanning over 213 square kilometers. This city grew during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is a major shopping destination, and in 2015, the Trinity Centre in Leeds was the biggest shopping center in Europe.

Sheffield

England’s fourth-largest city is Sheffield, covering 142 square kilometers. Sheffield saw major growth during the Industrial Revolution and became a powerhouse for manufacturing high-grade steel.

Manchester

The fifth-largest city in England is Manchester, spanning over 115 square kilometers. Manchester is fast becoming one of England’s fastest-growing cities. For example, the city saw 58,800 newcomers in 2022.

Largest Cities in England by Economic Impact

Greater London Authority

London is a magnet for foreign investment as its one of the most prolific cities in the world. It is one of the largest global financial centers and excels in numerous industries. However, it is also fed by tourism. Millions of tourists flock to the city for various reasons, like architecture, history, royal family, and shopping. Studies show London generates around 22% of the United Kingdom’s GDP. Furthermore, many people come to London in the pursuit of knowledge, as its home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Lastly, the city is quickly becoming a contender for Silicon Valley, as its technology industry is growing by the minute.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Manchester plays an essential role in England’s economy. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has a GDP of £82,743 million. This city grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution in the 19^th century due to the cotton industry. It was so successful it was the center of the city’s economy. However, by the 20^th century, Manchester’s football team and music industry were the only things keeping it relevant. In the 1970s and 1980s, the city suffered from post-industrial decline, but the 1990s brought extensive regeneration. Manchester Airport soon became one of the busiest airports in Europe. The city also has a notorious reputation for advanced manufacturing and innovation. For example, the atom was first split at the University of Manchester. The city was also the scene of the development of stored-program computers and where graphene was first isolated. It also hosts Kellogg’s, Etihad Airways, Brother, Adidas, Totesport, and Siemens European headquarters. Manchester excels in various industries, including construction, financial services, real estate, retail, business services, education, health, and public administration.

West Midlands Combined Authority

At the center of the West Midlands region lies the city of Birmingham, which forms an integral part of England’s manufacturing powerhouse. Birmingham became what it is today due to its engineering and manufacturing industries. However, it is home to plants like Cadbury in Bournville and Jaguar and Land Rover in Castle Bromwich today. It also plays a key role in Europe’s financial industry, and its location makes it an ideal center for logistics.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Leeds is the center of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which lies in the north of England. This city often competes with Manchester for the title of “the capital of the North.” Leeds was notorious for being one of the United Kingdom’s most prosperous cities after World War II, as its industries grew much quicker than most of the north. Today, it is a hub for the media and has a diverse economy. Leeds hosts vast financial and service industries and remains a center for manufacturing, especially printing, publishing, engineering, food and drink, medical, and chemical technology. The city also thrives in areas like tourism, gaming, law, and retail.

Liverpool City Region

The city of Liverpool is essential to England’s economy, mainly for its busy port. However, Liverpool also has many other notable industries, like football, music, public administration, health, education, banking, finance, tourism, insurance, film-making, tourism, manufacturing, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and research and development.

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