population density

American  

[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn den-si-tee] / ˌpɒp yəˈleɪ 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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Etymology

Origin of population density

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

“Southern California has a high population density with a high electricity demand, which is projected to continue growing substantially,” said Patricia Hidalgo-Gonzalez, director of the Renewable Energy and Advanced Mathematics lab at UC San Diego.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 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

The researchers suggest that Fiji's higher contamination levels may be linked to greater population density, extensive coastal development, and less effective waste management systems compared with neighboring islands.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 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

Foragers today live mainly in isolated and inhospitable areas such as the Arctic or the Kalahari, where population density is very low and opportunities to fight other people are limited.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

Related Words

• anthropology