Exploring the 10 oldest cities in America

Key takeaways

• Ten of the oldest continuously inhabited cities within the United States and its territories were founded between 1521 and 1630, shaped by Indigenous communities, European colonization and early trade. 
• Their histories include colonial conflicts, shifts in control among European powers, the rise of major trade centers and the preservation of historic landmarks. 
• San Juan, founded in 1521, is the oldest city in the U.S., based on continuous habitation and its early role as a center of commerce. 

When identifying the oldest cities in the United States and its territories, founding dates are only part of the story.
Indigenous communities lived in many of these places for thousands of years before European arrival. Beginning in the 15th century, European powers claimed land across the Americas, shaping what would become many of today’s cities, particularly in the eastern and southern U.S.

The people who lived in these areas — including Indigenous tribes, enslaved Africans and immigrants — all contributed to the country’s foundation. Today, many of these cities function as living museums, preserving architecture, culture and traditions that continue to influence daily life.

Here’s a closer look at 10 of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the United States.

• 1521: San Juan, Puerto Rico 
• 1565: St. Augustine, Florida 
• 1607: Jamestown, Virginia 
• 1610: Santa Fe, New Mexico 
• 1610: Hampton, Virginia 
• 1614: Albany, New York 
• 1620: Plymouth, Massachusetts 
• 1623: Gloucester, Massachusetts 
• 1624: New York, New York 
• 1630: Boston, Massachusetts 

Originally established by Spanish settlers, San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the oldest continuously inhabited city under U.S. jurisdiction. Anchored by the fortified military structure El Morro, the city has played a key role in Caribbean history for more than five centuries.

Puerto Rico, which translates to “rich port” in Spanish, still lives up to its name. San Juan remains an active port city today. While Spanish influence shaped much of its early development, the city also experienced periods of Dutch control, and Irish architects contributed to its design.

The United States gained control of Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Although Puerto Rico is not a state, its residents are U.S. citizens, and San Juan is considered one of the oldest cities within U.S. territories. Today, San Juan is a vibrant destination known for attractions such as the colorful streets of Old San Juan and the historic fortress El Morro.

St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. Founded more than 200 years before American independence, the area was originally home to the Timucua people. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, who also established Puerto Rico, arrived in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1513. Pedro Menéndez de Avilés later claimed the settlement for Spain in 1565.

The city became the capital of Spanish Florida and remains a popular destination known for its historic sites, including Castillo de San Marcos and preserved Spanish colonial architecture.

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America. Established by the Virginia Company along the James River, early Colonists faced disease, food shortages and conflicts with the Powhatan people.

The introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe helped sustain the colony, though expansion led to further displacement of Indigenous communities despite his marriage to Chief Powhatan’s daughter, Pocahontas. Today, Jamestown is preserved as a historic site along with other English settlements, Williamsburg and Yorktown, in what is called the colonial triangle. The original structures are long gone, but the settlers’ and Indigenous peoples’ homes have been recreated in the historic park.

Santa Fe is the oldest state capital in the United States. Founded by Spanish colonists, the city reflects strong Pueblo influences in its architecture and culture.

Unlike the first three cities, Santa Fe is not in the east or on the coast. Instead, inland Santa Fe was established by Don Pedro de Peralta. The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 temporarily drove out Spanish settlers. Today, landmarks like the Palace of the Governors and San Miguel Chapel highlight the city’s long history.

Hampton is one of the oldest continuously inhabited English-speaking settlements in the U.S. Just down the James River from Jamestown, Hampton was founded by Captain John Smith in 1610 on the Chesapeake Bay for its ideal naval position. It played a significant role in early American history, including the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in English North America in 1619.

The city later became an important military and educational center. Hampton is currently home to NASA researchers, the Air Force, Navy and military.

Albany began as a Dutch fur trading post known as Fort Nassau. Its location along the Hudson River made it a key center for trade and commerce. Dutch immigrants traded with the local Native American tribes, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). The city remained an essential trade center through the colonial era and was established as New York’s capital in 1797.

Today, Albany remains New York state’s political hub and center for banking and commerce.

Plymouth is widely known as the landing site of the Pilgrims. Originally inhabited by the Wampanoag people, it became one of the earliest English settlements in New England, but not the first as many believe. Pilgrims were English separatists, unlike the Virginia colonies.

The colony’s survival depended heavily on assistance from Indigenous communities, though colonization led to devastating consequences for those populations. The traditions of the American Thanksgiving originated from the Plymouth Pilgrims, but the lesson of friendship was not a reality, as many of the Wampanoag people were killed or sold into slavery.

Today, visitors can see the famous Plymouth Rock and historical recreations of the village.

North of Plymouth, Gloucester is one of the nation’s oldest seaports and has long been a center for the fishing industry. Settled in 1623 by English colonists, Gloucester was originally called Cape Ann and sits on a peninsula. Gloucester developed as a key maritime community and remains known for its coastal heritage.

Originally founded as New Amsterdam by the Dutch, New York became an English colony in 1664 and was renamed in honor of the Duke of York. New York’s Manhattan is an island with the Harlem River, Hudson River and East River surrounding the city. After the Revolution, the United States’ first capital was in New York, before Washington, D.C., was established.

Today, New York is composed of five boroughs: Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens. Over time, it grew into a global center for business, culture and immigration, earning its reputation as one of the most diverse cities in the world. New York is the biggest city in the United States, boasting more than 8 million residents.

Founded by Puritan settlers, Boston played a central role in the American Revolution. Events like the Boston Tea Party and the Siege of Boston helped shape the nation’s fight for independence. The city is also home to some of the country’s oldest educational institutions, including Boston Latin School and Harvard University. Boston remains an important city for education and business.

Each of these cities reflects a unique blend of cultures, histories and traditions. Their architecture, landmarks and communities offer insight into the nation’s origins and evolution.

Yes. Charleston was founded in 1670 and is the oldest city in South Carolina. It has deep cultural roots, including ties to the Gullah community.

No. San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Augustine, Florida, predate Jamestown by more than 40 years and 80 years.

Historians often base this designation on continuous habitation. Population size, land area and historical significance — such as serving as a trade or cultural hub — may also be considered.

This story was updated on May 7.