Even More States

Want even more states?

We’ve already shown how adding 50 new city-states can reshape the political map, giving power back to the people, making our country more representative, and letting local cultures thrive.

But, what if we took it even further? Let’s add 50 more!

Imagine a United States with 150 states, expanding beyond the initial plan to include even more metro areas. Each of these new states would have its own Senate representation and a voice in the Electoral College, continuing the mission of making our democracy more representative.

By adding these new states, we ensure every corner of America has a voice. It’s about fairness, balance, and letting even more regions take control of their own destiny. We’re not stopping at the original 50—let’s go all the way to 150! Each new state remains larger in population than Wyoming, making them viable and effective ways to reshape elections and better reflect the real America. Every city with a major league sports team would now have its own state, and no region would be left out.

Let’s explore how adding even more new states can change our country, and as a special bonus, take it further with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The Next, Next 50 States

The next, next 50 city-states are all viable, independent entities, just like the current 50 states and the intial 50 city-states. Each of these new states has a population larger than Wyoming and Vermont, ensuring they are large enough to manage their own affairs effectively. Even the smallest of the new city-states, Nashville, with a population of 715,884, is a rapidly growing metropolis. These new states aren’t just meeting population thresholds—they govern their own infrastructure, services, and economic interests, bringing representation closer to the people.

These additional city-states come from all regions of the country, each with its own distinct character. Omaha, for example, is an emerging Midwest hub blending agriculture with technology to spur growth. On the West Coast, Ventura represents a vibrant suburban community that is urbanizing quickly, situated between the megacities of Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. New Orleans, with its deep cultural history, has long been a center for finance, tourism, and trade. The Hamptons is a unique model, representing a collection of smaller, tourism-driven towns that together form a powerful economic and cultural identity.

The diversity of these city-states highlights the range of communities that will benefit from independent governance. Whether it's the tech boom of San Mateo, the luxury-driven economy of Palm Beach, or the vibrant urban life of Bridgeport, these states reflect the broad diversity of America's cities. Each one is poised to thrive, with governance that reflects the unique needs and culture of its people.

Sports play a central role in the identity of many city-states. With the next, next 50, every U.S. city that hosts a major league sports team will now have its own state. This includes the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS, covering the spectrum of American sports. From the smallest city-state, Green Bay, home to the historic Packers, to the rapidly growing tech hub of Austin, represented by Austin FC, sports are woven into the fabric of these communities. In Hackensack, the New York Giants’ stadium in East Rutherford is within the new city-state’s borders, showing how city-states can serve as cultural hubs for their regions. In total, the U.S. has over 150 major league teams and under this model the 50 largest media markets in the country would now be independent states, giving them a stronger voice in the national landscape through both sports and media.

Splitting the States

The next, next 50 city-states demonstrate how further dividing both existing states and newly formed city-states can create even more focused and representative governance. Texas could finally go beyond the five-state split promised during its admission to the Union and double that to 10 unique states. This would allow regions like Sugarland, Austin, and El Paso to each manage their own distinct governance needs. California could be split into 16 states, reflecting the differences between areas like San Bernardino, Fresno, and Stockton, each with its own unique economic and cultural identity. Florida could be divided into 9 independent states, giving more localized control to diverse areas, while Michigan could see the creation of up to 5 states, representing urban centers, suburban areas, and more rural regions.

Several of the new city-states come from splitting the original 50 city-states, ensuring even more localized representation. In New York City, the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx would each become their own states, while Manhattan and Staten Island would form the remaining New York city-state. In Texas, the Metroplex would split, with Dallas and Fort Worth each becoming independent, while the suburban counties would remain in a separate Metroplex city-state. Similarly, Tampa Bay would see St. Petersburg carved off into its own state, while San Mateo would emerge from San Francisco. and Portland would split to create the Tualatin Valley. These splits provide more precise governance for regions that may have otherwise been grouped together, ensuring every local area has a voice in its own governance.

These additional city-states further increase representation, ensuring that localized interests have a voice in federal decisions. With 150 states, the average population per state would drop from the current 6.6 million to 2.2 million, allowing for greater local governance. This would bring the ratio between the largest and smallest states much closer together. Currently, the largest state, California, has over 65 times the population of the smallest state, Wyoming. Under this new system, that gap would shrink significantly to just 19 times, making representation in the Senate and the Electoral College more fair and balanced.