America's dirtiest cities: A closer look at urban cleanliness in 2025
Annapurna Rai | Apr 25, 2025, 19:00 IST
( Image credit : Getty Images )
Baltimore tops the list as the dirtiest city in the U.S., with a staggering number of sanitation complaints. Sacramento, Charlotte, and Los Angeles also face significant cleanliness challenges. Milwaukee stands out as the cleanest city, showcasing effective waste management, while New York City ranks 17th, with Brooklyn having the most complaints.
Urban cleanliness remains a pressing concern across the United States, with recent studies highlighting cities grappling with sanitation challenges. While perceptions often point to major metropolises like New York City or Los Angeles, data reveals a more nuanced landscape of urban cleanliness.
Baltimore tops the list
Baltimore, Maryland, has been identified as the dirtiest city in the U.S., recording an astonishing 47,295 sanitation-related complaints per 100,000 residents. This figure underscores significant issues in waste management and urban upkeep within the city. Notably, six of the dirtiest ZIP codes are situated in Baltimore’s city center, indicating concentrated areas of concern.
Other notable cities
Following Baltimore, Sacramento, California, ranks as the second dirtiest city, with 34,186 complaints per 100,000 people. Charlotte, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, California, also feature prominently on the list, highlighting that sanitation issues are not confined to a specific region.
New York City's position
Contrary to common belief, New York City does not top the list. It ranks 17th, with 3,728 complaints per 100,000 residents. However, Brooklyn stands out within the city, recording the highest number of complaints, likely due to its dense population and high tourist traffic.
Cleanest cities recognized
On the other end of the spectrum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been recognized as America's cleanest city, with only 309 complaints per 100,000 residents. This achievement reflects effective waste management practices and community engagement in maintaining urban cleanliness.
These findings shed light on the varying degrees of urban cleanliness across American cities. While some cities face significant challenges, others exemplify effective strategies in maintaining sanitation standards. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from city officials, residents, and stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions and promote cleaner urban environments.
Baltimore tops the list
Baltimore, Maryland, has been identified as the dirtiest city in the U.S., recording an astonishing 47,295 sanitation-related complaints per 100,000 residents. This figure underscores significant issues in waste management and urban upkeep within the city. Notably, six of the dirtiest ZIP codes are situated in Baltimore’s city center, indicating concentrated areas of concern.
Other notable cities
Following Baltimore, Sacramento, California, ranks as the second dirtiest city, with 34,186 complaints per 100,000 people. Charlotte, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, California, also feature prominently on the list, highlighting that sanitation issues are not confined to a specific region.
New York City's position
Contrary to common belief, New York City does not top the list. It ranks 17th, with 3,728 complaints per 100,000 residents. However, Brooklyn stands out within the city, recording the highest number of complaints, likely due to its dense population and high tourist traffic.
Cleanest cities recognized
On the other end of the spectrum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been recognized as America's cleanest city, with only 309 complaints per 100,000 residents. This achievement reflects effective waste management practices and community engagement in maintaining urban cleanliness.
These findings shed light on the varying degrees of urban cleanliness across American cities. While some cities face significant challenges, others exemplify effective strategies in maintaining sanitation standards. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from city officials, residents, and stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions and promote cleaner urban environments.