If you have ever found yourself wondering, “How many states are there in the United States?”, you are not alone. This seems like something everyone should know by now, and yet it is surprisingly common for people to figure it out. Some say like fifty. Others claim it is 51 or even 52.
So let us be clear once and for all: the United States has 50 states. This number has not changed since 1959, when Hawaii officially joined the union as the 50th state.
However, it is worth exploring the reasons why people are confused about how the US got to 50 states in the first place and what exactly makes a state a “state”. Let us break it down in simple words.
Actual Number: 50 States – No More, No Less
Currently, the United States consists of 50 states, each with its own government, laws, and identity. Together, they constitute one nation under the United States Constitution.
When we talk about the 50 states, that includes every state from Alabama to Wyoming, as well as two states that are a little further away: Alaska and Hawaii.
Alaska is at the top of North America, separated from the rest of the country by Canada, while Hawaii lies deep in the Pacific Ocean.
These two elements were the final pieces of the puzzle that completed the present-day United States.
From 13 to 50: How the United States Expanded?
When the country was born, it started out small, consisting of just 13 states on the Atlantic coast. These were the original British colonies that declared their independence in 1776.
After that, America continued to grow, adding new states as settlers moved west and new territories were created. Each time a territory meets certain demographic and political requirements, Congress could recognize it as a new country, granting it equal rights and representation.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, there were 48 states, all connected to the mainland. Then, in 1959, two significant events followed:
- Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
- Hawaii joined as the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
When Hawaii joined, the American flag received its 50th star, the same design we still use today. The 50-star flag officially debuted on July 4, 1960, and has flown ever since.
Why Do People Think There Are 51 or 52 States?
This is a very common mistake that arises from the confusion of places that are part of the United States but are not actually states, such as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Let us start with Washington, D.C. It is the nation’s capital, but it is not located within any state. Instead, it is a federal district created specifically to be the seat of government. D.C. has its own mayor and city council, but Congress still has special powers over them.
People who live there can vote in presidential elections, but they do not have the full voting representation in Congress that state residents do.
Then there is Puerto Rico, a US territory in the Caribbean. Puerto Ricans are US citizens, and the island has its own government, but it is not a state. Over the years, Puerto Rico has held a bunch of referendums on accession, but so far, nothing has changed.
In addition to Puerto Rico, the United States also oversees a few other territories: Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Each has a unique relationship with the United States, but none is a full state.
Because of this, some mistakenly add them to the states count, but officially, the number of states remains 50.
What About The “Lower 48”?
You have probably heard people talk about the “lower 48” or the “continental United States.” These terms refer to the forty-eight contiguous states, that is, those that are all physically connected on the North American continent.
This group does not include Alaska and Hawaii, as they are separate from the mainland. Alaska is huge and is next to Canada, and Hawaii is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. But do not worry, both are still fully recognized countries.
So when someone says “the lower 48,” they are not forgetting Alaska or Hawaii. They are just talking about the connected part of the country.
What Makes a State a State?
Each state in the United States is like its own little country in some ways. Each country has:
- Its own constitution
- Its ruler and legislative power
- Power to make and execute laws within its borders
However, all fifty states share power with the federal government. The US Constitution divides power between the two, creating what is known as a federal system.
Each state has equal representation in the United States Senate (two members per state) and proportional representation in the House of Representatives based on population. This balance keeps large and small countries more or less equal.
A Quick Look at The Development of Science
The American flag tells the story of the nation’s growth. In the original colonies, it started with 13 stars; then, with the accession of new states, the number increased.
In 1959, after Alaska became the 49th state, the flag briefly displayed 49 stars. When Hawaii joined later that year, the flag was redesigned with 50 stars.
This version officially became the national flag on July 4, 1960, and has remained unchanged for more than 60 years—longer than any other design in U.S. history.
The Official Number: 50 States And Stability is Stable
From the outside, the United States may seem like a collection of different regions, territories, and jurisdictions. But when it comes to official states, the number has been set for more than six decades: 50 in total.
Each state plays a unique role in shaping the nation’s culture, economy, and history, from the beaches of Florida to the mountains of Colorado, from the forests of Oregon to the Hawaiian Islands. Together they form a unified nation.
So the next time someone argues that there are 51 or 52 states, you can confidently tell them the truth: There are 50 states in the United States, no more, no less.
Final Thoughts
The United States did not reach 50 states overnight. It started with just 13 and slowly grew step by step as the nation expanded westward and beyond. The latest additions, Alaska and Hawaii, have traveled a journey of nearly two centuries.
Washington, D.C., and US territories continue to play an important role in American life, but do not change the official number. To this day, the United States remains a union of fifty proud, diverse, and distinct nations, each an essential part of the whole.
