population density

American  

[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn den-si-tee] / ˌpɒp jəˈleɪ ʃən ˌdɛn sɪ ti /

noun

population densities plural

1. the number of people, or members of a particular plant or animal species, living in a specified unit of area: a measure of how crowded or spread out inhabitants are.

   At the time of this research, the city had a population density of 537 persons per square mile.

   Our free-range chickens are raised without antibiotics and in low population densities, with plenty of room to roam around.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• population densities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of population density

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

population density

Cities tended to have higher population density, which could increase the spread of diseases such as leprosy and tuberculosis.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 13, 2026

Much of “The Powerful Primate” concerns how ancient humanity learned to make tools and fire, allowing big increases in population density.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 2026

Economic research has shown that an expanding population produces greater consumer demand, increases the supply of labor, and can generate innovation through greater population density.

From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026

The team also identified hotspots in areas with higher population density, greater homelessness and more overcrowding.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2025

A fourth factor was the two-way link between the rise in human population density and the rise in food production.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• anthropology