You probably think you know the list of states and capitals in the US like the back of your hand. Third grade was a long time ago, but those catchy songs and wooden puzzles stick with you. Right? Honestly, most people are surprisingly bad at this. We tend to assume the biggest, flashiest city in a state is the seat of power, but the reality is much weirder and more intentional.
The List of States and Capitals in the US (A to Z)
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. If you’re here for a quick reference, here is the official breakdown. No fluff, just the facts.
- Alabama: Montgomery
- Alaska: Juneau
- Arizona: Phoenix
- Arkansas: Little Rock
- California: Sacramento
- Colorado: Denver
- Connecticut: Hartford
- Delaware: Dover
- Florida: Tallahassee
- Georgia: Atlanta
- Hawaii: Honolulu
- Idaho: Boise
- Illinois: Springfield
- Indiana: Indianapolis
- Iowa: Des Moines
- Kansas: Topeka
- Kentucky: Frankfort
- Louisiana: Baton Rouge
- Maine: Augusta
- Maryland: Annapolis
- Massachusetts: Boston
- Michigan: Lansing
- Minnesota: St. Paul
- Mississippi: Jackson
- Missouri: Jefferson City
- Montana: Helena
- Nebraska: Lincoln
- Nevada: Carson City
- New Hampshire: Concord
- New Jersey: Trenton
- New Mexico: Santa Fe
- New York: Albany
- North Carolina: Raleigh
- North Dakota: Bismarck
- Ohio: Columbus
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
- Oregon: Salem
- Pennsylvania: Harrisburg
- Rhode Island: Providence
- South Carolina: Columbia
- South Dakota: Pierre
- Tennessee: Nashville
- Texas: Austin
- Utah: Salt Lake City
- Vermont: Montpelier
- Virginia: Richmond
- Washington: Olympia
- West Virginia: Charleston
- Wisconsin: Madison
- Wyoming: Cheyenne
Why the Biggest City Isn't Always the Capital
It’s kinda funny when you realize that New York City isn't the capital of New York. Or that Chicago doesn't hold the crown for Illinois. Basically, back in the 1800s, state founders were obsessed with two things: geography and keeping the "city folk" from having too much power.
Take Missouri. Jefferson City was chosen specifically because it’s smack-dab in the middle of the state. In an era where "travel" meant a horse and a prayer, having a central location was a matter of survival for legislators. If you lived in the boonies, you didn't want to trek two weeks to a coastal city just to vote on a tax.
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Then there's the "anti-urban" sentiment. Many early Americans distrusted big cities. They saw places like Philadelphia or New York as dens of corruption and elite influence. By putting the capital in a smaller town like Harrisburg or Albany, they hoped to keep the government closer to the "common man"—usually meaning rural farmers.
Surprising Facts and Common Confusions
You’ve probably seen those man-on-the-street interviews where people can't name the capital of their own state. It's not always because they're "clueless." Some of these names are just plain confusing.
- Juneau, Alaska: You can't drive there. Seriously. To get to Alaska's capital, you have to fly or take a boat. There are no roads connecting Juneau to the rest of the North American road system because of the insane terrain.
- Montpelier, Vermont: This is the smallest state capital in the country. We’re talking a population of roughly 8,000 people. It’s the only capital without a McDonald’s. That’s a real fun fact for your next trivia night.
- Santa Fe, New Mexico: This is the oldest capital city in the United States, founded in 1610. It’s also the highest in elevation, sitting at about 7,000 feet. Denver gets all the "Mile High" credit, but Santa Fe actually looks down on it.
- Phoenix, Arizona: It’s currently the most populous state capital. Unlike many states where the capital is a quiet government town, Phoenix is a massive, sprawling metropolis.
The Great Name Change Game
Did you know some of these cities had way different names before they became famous? Atlanta was originally called "Terminus" because it was the end of a railroad line. Not exactly the most inspiring name for a capital.
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Boise comes from the French "Les bois," which basically means "The woods." Legend has it that French-Canadian trappers were so relieved to see trees after wandering the desert that they just shouted it out. It stuck.
In Michigan, the capital was originally Detroit. But lawmakers were terrified of the British in Canada—Detroit was just too close to the border for comfort. So, in 1847, they moved the whole operation to a tiny settlement in the woods that eventually became Lansing.
The Role of the Capital in 2026
You might wonder if these locations even matter anymore. We have the internet. We have Zoom. Does it really matter if the governor is in Tallahassee or Miami?
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Actually, it does. These cities house the state archives, the supreme courts, and the legislative chambers where local laws are actually made. The list of states and capitals in the US isn't just a geography test; it's a map of where political power is physically anchored.
Even in 2026, the physical presence of a capital city anchors the identity of a state. When people from across the state descend on a city like Sacramento or Austin to protest or lobby, that central location still serves a purpose. It’s a neutral ground that (theoretically) belongs to everyone in the state, not just the people in the biggest metro area.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're trying to memorize these for a test or just want to be the smartest person in the room, don't just stare at a list.
- Use a Map, Not a Table: Visualizing where these cities are in relation to the state's borders helps the names stick.
- Focus on the "Big Three" Exceptions: Remember that New York, California, and Illinois are the most common trick questions. Memorize Albany, Sacramento, and Springfield first.
- Learn One Weird Fact: Associating a city with a story (like Juneau's lack of roads) makes it nearly impossible to forget.
Learning the list of states and capitals in the US is a bit of a rite of passage. It’s a deep dive into the quirky, often messy history of how this country was put together—one centrally located, McDonald's-free town at a time.
Mastering the Map
- Download a blank US map.
- Try to label the capitals without looking at the names of the states first.
- Check your work against the list above to identify your "blind spots"—usually the "I" states (Indiana, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois).
- Spend five minutes reading the history of your own state's capital to understand why it was chosen over the largest city.